Arrived in Mecca at around ten at night. That’s after six hours of bus trip from Medina. Mecca is where we have to do the real Umrah ritual. The activities in Medina is just to pay our respects to the prophet Muhammad, visit the historical places and learn Islamic history. Masjid Al Haram is not as strict as Masjid Nabawi in Medina. Here, you are welcome to bring your smartphone and camera. We can see men and women pray in the same area and enter or exit from the same entrance.
Everyone was ready with his/her umrah clothes from Medina. It’s easier for the ladies because we just need to wear regular muslim clothes. Tougher for the men since they have to wear the ihram clothes, which basically a two-piece white fabrics (unstitched!) wrapped around the body. And no underwear allowed :0). So we did the Tawaf (circuiting the Kabah seven times) and Sai (walking from Safa & Marwah, also for seven times). We started at midnight and finished at 3 AM. The picture below was taken right after I did my umrah. I couldn’t describe the feeling. The umrah experience is the peak of my spiritual journey (so far). There, I felt so relieved to have finished the ritual with the whole family, with practically no obstacle at all. Even Jehan, my soon to be 4 year old did all the walking herself. We didn’t have to carry her even for one second. Oh, I also couldn’t describe the feeling of being there, looking at the Kabah standing before my eyes.
Bergo: From the travel agent
Long white top: Borrowed from Syita LOL.
I wore a white Zara pants that were also borrowed from my sister in law :o)
