Day 13: Climbing Solomon
After spending the morning with the team, we climbed up "Solomon's mountain," a unique feature in the center of the city of Osh. Here we are at the top.
The place has great spiritual significance, and gets its name from the notion that Solomon climbed it (you biblical history scholars out there may want to question the idea that King Solomon traveled to the edge of China). Of course, they also say that the prophet Muhammad climbed it, in spite of the fact that he never left Arabia. Because of this, the mountain is a popular location for Muslim pilgrims seeking blessing from a visit to a holy site.
It is a popular site for another reason - with a little imagination, they say that the profile of the mountain resembles a pregnant woman lying on her back with her knees bent. Looking at the above photo and starting on the right, you can make out the head of the woman (with her mouth open), then her chest/pregnant belly, then her knees, then the last bump is her feet. This resemblance, I am told, brings scores of young brides to this mountain seeking the blessing of pregnancy. There is a smooth rock on the "belly" of the mountain that the women slide down with the hopes that the act will make them fertile.
The above photo shows the base of the mountain, which is completely surrounded with graves. Muslims believe that a special blessing is associated with being buried in a holy place, so every free spot around the hill is covered with graves.
While taking a break in a cave on the mountain, Ella and I posed for this one. Remember her, as we think she may be getting a cold - that or maybe its teething - we will see.
The place has great spiritual significance, and gets its name from the notion that Solomon climbed it (you biblical history scholars out there may want to question the idea that King Solomon traveled to the edge of China). Of course, they also say that the prophet Muhammad climbed it, in spite of the fact that he never left Arabia. Because of this, the mountain is a popular location for Muslim pilgrims seeking blessing from a visit to a holy site. 
It is a popular site for another reason - with a little imagination, they say that the profile of the mountain resembles a pregnant woman lying on her back with her knees bent. Looking at the above photo and starting on the right, you can make out the head of the woman (with her mouth open), then her chest/pregnant belly, then her knees, then the last bump is her feet. This resemblance, I am told, brings scores of young brides to this mountain seeking the blessing of pregnancy. There is a smooth rock on the "belly" of the mountain that the women slide down with the hopes that the act will make them fertile.
The above photo shows the base of the mountain, which is completely surrounded with graves. Muslims believe that a special blessing is associated with being buried in a holy place, so every free spot around the hill is covered with graves.
While taking a break in a cave on the mountain, Ella and I posed for this one. Remember her, as we think she may be getting a cold - that or maybe its teething - we will see.
2 comments:
Thanks again for the update and of course, great pictures. Ella is too cute! I think the hat is a great idea. Some of the buildings look like the Communist Block House type - are they?
Give Ella kiss for us.
Just wondering if you took plenty of sunscreen for Ella?? Sorry, but just a worrying Grandma.(-: Love you guys and look forward to the updates everyday...Still praying Mom K
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