Losing touch with reality a bit. Just finished my second Umrah of the trip. My feet hurt.
Show me the way to go home, I'm tired and I want to go to bed...
Decided to no longer use the Pentax in al-Haram. I upset a fellow worshipper and really that's not why I'm here. Yes he was being very precious but still this is a holy place and an upsetting someone here isn't worth it. It'll only be the Leica C-lux 2 from now on. It seems to be good enough so that's OK.
Getting ready for Esha prayers (last of the day) and then have my head shaved again, followed by KFC, shower and bed.
Methinks you'll like some of the pics I'm taking. I'm trying to be non conventional.
Finally, I think I'm getting into the swing of all this praying all prayers in a mosque malarky. Won't be doing it in the UK though.
Averaging 3-4 hours kip. Great, now I've got pins and needles.
Speak later.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people, old, infirm, wheelchair, courtesy, religion]
Day 6: On our way..
On our way to Umrah mosque for a 2nd Umrah.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people, old, infirm, wheelchair, courtesy, religion]
Day 6: Another Umrah today
Hopefully or should that be Inshallah, another Umrah today - after Asr (16:00 ish), hopefully won't be too hot. Well it will but hopefully not as hot as midday.
Got the two pieces of cloth ready. Will have a shower, do ablution, make the intention. Then we'll catch a ride on one of rickety rust bucket local minibuses that take people to Umrah Mosque where we'll perform 2 rakat of Umrah prayers and then make our way back and do the deed.
I'm going to have to find out how many miles the whole thing lasts, it's quite bit. Quite strenuous also because of the massive crowd of people.
Which reminds me. I'm yet to record footage of that. Fingers crossed I can do it tomorrow - early morning or evening would be best.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people, old, infirm, wheelchair, courtesy, religion]
Day 5: They're oh so Holy and they're oh so Religious
The people who have come here from all over the world that is. Yet they continue to miss the spirit of the messages that have been give. To get into and out of the mosque, these people push and shove, no matter who is in the way. Be they women, children, the old, infirm, heck even me. They just don't care. The excuse they tend to give is, "well you have to do it otherwise you're never getting out".
What a load of bunkum. I've been here for 5 days and not once have I had to push a child out of the way or tripped up a disabled man so I can get past. All it requires is a little patience of which I have an abundance!
The worst at this are the old gits (no Mary Whitehouse Experience) who are sly and very deceptive. Just as you think things are calming down as you leave the mosque, there they are, elbowing you in the lower back or cracking your shins with their walking stick. One particular old git was kind enough to leave the imprint of his wheelchair on my foot.
You're not supposed to get angry of course, you're supposed to take it. Well I don't know about that. Next one of these aged boy racers I come across, I'll take him to the top of a ramp and then let go...
...Then again, maybe not.
Another final point which I don't remember so forget it.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people, old, infirm, wheelchair, courtesy, religion]
What a load of bunkum. I've been here for 5 days and not once have I had to push a child out of the way or tripped up a disabled man so I can get past. All it requires is a little patience of which I have an abundance!
The worst at this are the old gits (no Mary Whitehouse Experience) who are sly and very deceptive. Just as you think things are calming down as you leave the mosque, there they are, elbowing you in the lower back or cracking your shins with their walking stick. One particular old git was kind enough to leave the imprint of his wheelchair on my foot.
You're not supposed to get angry of course, you're supposed to take it. Well I don't know about that. Next one of these aged boy racers I come across, I'll take him to the top of a ramp and then let go...
...Then again, maybe not.
Another final point which I don't remember so forget it.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people, old, infirm, wheelchair, courtesy, religion]
Day 4: Had a battle with a cockroach
And -I'm sorry to say that it won. Tried flushing it down the drain with the shower pipe. Unfortunately the resilient little git managed to evade me. I gave up in the end and took my shower. As they say, two's company.
After Fajr prayers at silly o' clock (4:10), we had a very light breakfast of banana and tea and then took a drive around Mina, Muzdallifa and Mt. Arafat. I won't explain what they are as some of you already know and the others? Well that'll be your homework for today.
The time's now 09:55. My fellow travellers are kipping and I'm just doing this and reviewing my photographs. There's still so many more to take. There's still plenty of time though.
The weather's a little more bearable now, a cool 37 centigrade. The locals have come out in woolly jumpers and gloves.
Friday evening was quite a tough time, I wasn't sure how I could stay here until the 18th of July, everything was so exhausting, felt oppressive and the weather was shockingly hot but when Saturday morning arrived over the hills (on horseback much like Gandalf in Two Towers) everything had changed. For a start I now know Saturday looks like an old doting wizard but also my mind changed. To see the Ka'aba and the Masjid shine in the dark like a... erm... something that shines in the dark and hear the call to prayer echoing around the surroundings is quite breathtaking.
Praying alongside Nigerians, Malaysians, Moroccans, Turks, Sudanese, Americans, Aussies, Swedes, Arabs of course and even Scousers all at the same time is a wonderful experience.
Yes it is, stop shaking your head...
I saw that.
I've taken to setting pretty much everything bar aperture to auto and file format to RAW on the Pentax. This is because the Mosque's plain clothes security detail has increased two-fold. While it's permissible to take photos, they don't seem to like people with bigger cameras. My composition has taken a nose dive because of this (well at least that'll be my excuse). What the heck, we'll call it 'urban photo journalism - raw and in your face, we make no apologies'.
Now to answer the question you've yet to ask.
I know there's more security even if they are in disguise because they're the ones with rigidly straight backs, shockingly clean clothes and constantly look about themselves. Oh and I was stopped a couple of times.
Yes I am doing the cliché things like contemplating my existence, questioning everything that I know and everything that I know I don't know so on and so forth.
My conclusion? Oh dear, is that the time? Must dash.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people]
Darn the Mosque security team
My mate the cockroach made a surprise return. It was only a brief appearance but he hung around long enough to remind me that he's watching me.
The security at the mosque tightened considerably before Maghrib, so much so that they were investigating everybodies' bags. Some over zealous jobs worth turned a girl away because she had a few bread rolls in a bag and some bottles.
I'm annoyed by that, he almost definitely had a good reason no doubt but I don't know the rules.
I tried getting in through two separate gates and each time the security guards would stop me, see the camera, start laughing and point towards the lockers outside. I had no choice but to comply. It costs SR 5 (83p) for an indefinite period. Not bad.
I'll be using the Leica from now on, at least for the next couple days.
I should point out that while firm, the security team are very curtious and respectful, they have to be, pretty much everyone that goes there are holy people - we have more or less cleansed ourselves spiritually. Some of us however fall back into our oh so wicked ways within minutes of a head shave (final act of the Umrah).
Going out now to roast in the Saudi heat.
Gor' bless.
[Category saudi arabia] [tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people, leica]
The security at the mosque tightened considerably before Maghrib, so much so that they were investigating everybodies' bags. Some over zealous jobs worth turned a girl away because she had a few bread rolls in a bag and some bottles.
I'm annoyed by that, he almost definitely had a good reason no doubt but I don't know the rules.
I tried getting in through two separate gates and each time the security guards would stop me, see the camera, start laughing and point towards the lockers outside. I had no choice but to comply. It costs SR 5 (83p) for an indefinite period. Not bad.
I'll be using the Leica from now on, at least for the next couple days.
I should point out that while firm, the security team are very curtious and respectful, they have to be, pretty much everyone that goes there are holy people - we have more or less cleansed ourselves spiritually. Some of us however fall back into our oh so wicked ways within minutes of a head shave (final act of the Umrah).
Going out now to roast in the Saudi heat.
Gor' bless.
[Category saudi arabia] [tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people, leica]
Day 4: Had a battle with a cockroach
And -I'm sorry to say that it won. Tried flushing it down the drain with the shower pipe. Unfortunately the resilient little git managed to evade me. I gave up in the end and took my shower. As they say, two's company.
After Fajr prayers at silly o' clock (4:10), we had a very light breakfast of banana and tea and then took a drive around Mina, Muzdallifa and Mt. Arafat. I won't explain what they are as some of you already know and the others? Well that'll be your homework for today.
The time's now 09:55. My fellow travellers are kipping and I'm just doing this and reviewing my photographs. There's still so many more to take. There's still plenty of time though.
The weather's a little more bearable now, a cool 37 centigrade. The locals have come out in woolly jumpers and gloves.
Friday evening was quite a tough time, I wasn't sure how I could stay here until the 18th of July, everything was so exhausting, felt oppressive and the weather was shockingly hot but when Saturday morning arrived over the hills (on horseback much like Gandalf in Two Towers) everything had changed. For a start I now know Saturday looks like an old doting wizard but also my mind changed. To see the Ka'aba and the Masjid shine in the dark like a... erm... something that shines in the dark and hear the call to prayer echoing around the surroundings is quite breathtaking.
Praying alongside Nigerians, Malaysians, Moroccans, Turks, Sudanese, Americans, Aussies, Swedes, Arabs of course and even Scousers all at the same time is a wonderful experience.
Yes it is, stop shaking your head...
I saw that.
I've taken to setting pretty much everything bar aperture to auto and file format to RAW on the Pentax. This is because the Mosque's plain clothes security detail has increased two-fold. While it's permissible to take photos, they don't seem to like people with bigger cameras. My composition has taken a nose dive because of this (well at least that'll be my excuse). What the heck, we'll call it 'urban photo journalism - raw and in your face, we make no apologies'.
Now to answer the question you've yet to ask.
I know there's more security even if they are in disguise because they're the ones with rigidly straight backs, shockingly clean clothes and constantly look about themselves. Oh and I was stopped a couple of times.
Yes I am doing the cliché things like contemplating my existence, questioning everything that I know and everything that I know I don't know so on and so forth.
My conclusion? Oh dear, is that the time? Must dash.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, photography, photo, al-haram, ka'aba, mecca, medina, people]
Day 3: A quick update
Just a quick update today. A few famous look a likes came to the mosque today.
They were Billy Zane, Vin Diesel and our very own Xnetmax.
Shokcing. More news tomorrow or later to night if I can't stop myself.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, mecca, medina]
Day 2: oh my poor feet
You wouldn't believe how much walking I have done today. Well actually some of you might. The ones that have gone to new places with me.
The walking has been mainly within al-Haram. First for the Umrah and then secondly for photographs. Needless to say, I've taken a few pics and my feet want to take early retirement.
Security round here don't seem to like big cameras. I got told off twice while taking pics with the DSLR. However, when I take pics with the compact - no trouble! I'll obviously have to be more careful when using the Pentax.
Catch you later
P.S the crappy flies in this place have taken quite a shining to me. It's very annoying.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, mecca, medina, feet, tired, security, photographs, pentax, leica]
Quick update...
Resting in the hotel after the Umrah. Just had all my hair shaved off and am about to go and take a shower. Things will be a little bit more chilled out now.
Not quite sure how I will occupy myself though. Seen loads of photographic opportunities inside the Mosque.
No, you're not going to see a picture of me bald.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, mecca, medina, bald, shaved]
Day 2: The journey to Mecca
Our cabbie who goes by the name of Ibrahim the black tooth scoundrel considers himself a bit of a ladies man. I asked him why the seat belt was cut in half and he just laughed an almighty laugh. I didn't find that comforting.
As he was driving 140 km in a 50 km area, I pointed out that it could be dangerous. He gave the heartiest deepest laugh that even Brian Blessed would be hard pressed to match.
We dodged animals, cars and people all the way to Mecca. He pointed out many things to photograph. I couldn't for the life of me understand why but I complied because when Ibrahim the black tooth scoundrel tells you to do something, you comply. Especially the way he drives.
Coming close to al-Haram. Best stop writing
All of the above could have been imagined, I didn't get any sleep on the plane.
[Category saudi arabia][tags saudi arabia, umrah, pilgrim, mecca, medina]
Day 2: We land
The journey to Jeddah wasn't to bad. The food on the plane was actually edible - chicken tikka. Dessert was something called finni which is quite sweet.
One of the air stewards took a liking to me. Not sure if I should be flattered or worried.
There was a 14 year old Brummie kid sitting next to me who was going out of his way to annoy me. He kept stepping on my foot and elbowing me while at the same time whining about how much he's sweating and how he doesn't need to loo. Well bully for him. Luckily he and his brother left some way into the flight and went and sat somewhere else.
There was a bengali family sitting in front of us. The husband is a spitting image of Peter Jackson.
The weather's not too bad so far, slightly warm but with a cool breeze. Then again, it is only 05:00 in the morning.
Day 1: We depart
I've checked, double checked and then triple checked. I have all of the essentials - passports, tickets, money, camera stuff and clothes.
The day started off quite nicely with not much going on. Did a bit of work which is only fair as it is still a work day. Had some lunch - meat and potato curry and a bit later took a shower.
Performed ablution around 16:00, made the intention for Umrah and then put on the Ihram.
Bade farewell to everyone and we set off.
Terminal 5 is very nice and it was also quite quiet. There was a slight fray at the security area when the woman grabbed my flip flops from my feet! All in good jest mind you.
Waiting in the departure lounge. Can't wait until I can put proper clothes on.
They're going to call us in soon so see you in Jeddah.
[Category saudi arabia] [tags saudi arabia, travel, heathrow, umrah, pilgrim, pilgrimage, mecca, medina, spirituality, jeddah, heathrow, terminal 5, security]
So this is the last night...
... In the UK. What awaits us now, many dream for the chance to experience. We will be on our way to the home of Islam. To perform Umrah and purify ourselves of our sins. To seek, genuinely seek forgiveness for the sins we have committed and the harm we have caused to others and to ourselves. To once again start afresh.
I wouldn't be being honest if I didn't say that I'm a little nervous. All manner of things could go wrong. It's certainly going to be tough, to be in the state of Ihram but that's part of the challenge. Very few things, particularly good things, come easily. They have to be worked at.
I've also been thinking about how easy it is to perform Umrah for someone like myself - lower middle class and from a western country. Imagine how it must be for a poor person from somewhere like India, Pakistan or other 3rd world countries. Even more so for people living hundreds of years ago. Having to travel from the likes of Spain/Algeria/Morocco, so on and so forth by foot, carriage and boat. It's easy peasy now by comparison.
One thing wouldn't have changed very much though and that's the spiritual journey. The striving with oneself to become a better person, a more worthy person. I know it sounds cheesy but it's true. It's a difficult task to control one's actions and thoughts, even more so on a journey such as this. I can tell you this though - I'm certainly looking forward to it.
[Category saudi arabia] [tags saudi arabia, travel, medina, mecca, muslim, islam, pilgrim, umrah, god, journey, spirit, spiritual, prophet]
I wouldn't be being honest if I didn't say that I'm a little nervous. All manner of things could go wrong. It's certainly going to be tough, to be in the state of Ihram but that's part of the challenge. Very few things, particularly good things, come easily. They have to be worked at.
I've also been thinking about how easy it is to perform Umrah for someone like myself - lower middle class and from a western country. Imagine how it must be for a poor person from somewhere like India, Pakistan or other 3rd world countries. Even more so for people living hundreds of years ago. Having to travel from the likes of Spain/Algeria/Morocco, so on and so forth by foot, carriage and boat. It's easy peasy now by comparison.
One thing wouldn't have changed very much though and that's the spiritual journey. The striving with oneself to become a better person, a more worthy person. I know it sounds cheesy but it's true. It's a difficult task to control one's actions and thoughts, even more so on a journey such as this. I can tell you this though - I'm certainly looking forward to it.
[Category saudi arabia] [tags saudi arabia, travel, medina, mecca, muslim, islam, pilgrim, umrah, god, journey, spirit, spiritual, prophet]
More Swine flu news...
Just reading the Daily Star of the Middle East. It appears that the swine flu numbers don't seem to be increasing that much thought there are of course concerns what with the impending Ramadan and Hajj seasons coming.
At the moment though, there's not too much going on to worry me for my Umrah trip which will start later this week.
Weather in Mecca...
I've added a link from the BBC Weather site (to the right) so you can follow the weather in Mecca and Saudi Arabia in general.
It doesn't look good. It's going to be hot!
Doing the Tango with Swine Flu..
The cases of swine flu (H1N1) affecting Saudi Arabia continues to go up. Apparently, in the last couple of days there have been three new cases in Medina and one in Mecca. The good news is that the authorities seem to be working quite well with dealing with it. Also they're working in conjunction with the World Health Organisation.
I wonder how people are reacting to this news over there. In a couple of
months, there will be around 2 million people going to perform Hajj. Not to mention the millions that go there from all over the world throughout the year.
There are thermal detectors in their airports to detect people with abnormal body temperatures. Theoretically, if the alarm goes, you have to see a doctor but people have got through anyway. Sounds like the machinery works well, just those in charge don't.
No doubt I will be encouraged to wear a face mask. I don't like them at the best of times but it'll be a nightmare in that heat. Especially as face masks haven't been proven to work properly and certainly don't work when they come in contact with moisture. Check out this BBC News article regarding face masks (Can masks help stop flu spread?).
Also, check out this blog on Swine flu in Saudi Arabia.
Umrah...
Well as some of you know I will be going on Umrah soon. For those of you who don't know what that is, check out this link on Wikipedia...
Preparation
Except for the suitcase, everything has been made ready for my trip. The clothes are all washed, general medication sorted, camera equipment bought/arranged.
Now it's just a case of waiting for the day. I'll admit to being a little nervous. I wonder what will happen. Will it be difficult? It will be very hot. There's certainly a sense of nervous excitement.
My head is full of questions, some of which I don't genuinely know the answers to. Others' I know the answers but don't want to admit to while others still I know the answers and I accept that I know the answers. I don't like those answers but there's nothing I can do about them.
Will anything be resolved? Will I grow as a person? Or will things, as it most likely will be, will things be the same?
The needle returns to the start of the song...
My trip is coming up...
I'm looking forward to my trip to Mecca and Medina. I haven't been there for a while. Just the fact that when I'm there, very little else matters. There are no work concerns, no jobs to be done, no people to meet. I can be at one with my faith (of sorts). I know it sounds pretentious but there you have it.
There's also a sense of camaraderie, most of the people there, are all there for the same reason, to perform Umrah, make oneself a better person, trying to concentrate on the things that matter while washing away all the negative aspects of life.
Admittedly, I'll be carrying some of it with me. However, there are certain things that I do over there that just seem impossible over here. That is, my prayers tend to last longer in Saudi. On average by around 60-70% longer. The reason for that being there are no distractions. No TV, no phonecalls, no work and no people waiting for me to do something.
A lot of this is had on general holidays as well admittedly but in Saudi, I actually see the House towards which I pray every single day of the year so it feels more real.
Not long to go now...
I found some pictures I took last time I was there (in 2002). Sit back and enjoy as I show them (hopefully), one a day. Excuse the quality of some of these. They were all taken with a 1.3MP camera. I've forgotten the exact model name. That camera happened to be my first ever digital camera.
Ouch
Well I'm back from the GP's where an over eager nurse gave me more than I bargained for. Not only did I get the £10 meningitis jab with certificate but also a Typhoid one as well. So now I have two sore arms.
Not long to go now.
In all the excitement...
...of travelling abroad, dreaming of all the photographs to be taken, people to meet, places to be seen, the food to be eaten and the atmosphere to be soaked in until I'm generally embarrassingly giddy, it should be remembered why I'm going.Below is an extract from my Umrah guidebook "A Guide to Hajj, Umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque" (printed and published by Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawah and Guidance, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia):
"Remember that you are on a blessed journey. This journey, which is a migration toward Allah, is based on belief in His Unity (tawheed), on sincerity toward Him, on responding to His call, and on obedience to His commands. There is no greater reward than that of a hajj which is acceptable to Allah Ta'alah - the reward of the Garden of Paradise".
Gorillapod SLR Zoom
Well I bought one of these today. Should arrive in the next couple of days. Looking forward to messing around with it. Basically, it can cling onto railings, lampposts and sit on rocks etc.I bought it as I won't be able to take my tripod with me to Saudi. It's less conspicuous and will hopefully enable me to take pictures in Al Haram at night. I'm intending to get some blur of people's movements around the Ka'aba.
Fingers crossed.
Check out these links:
Ay Caramba!
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After talking to a couple of friends, it dawned on me that I haven't yet had a meningitis jab. If I don't have the jab and the Saudi's check, they can deny me entry to the country.After quickly phoning the Dr's, it's been arranged for a couple of days time. That was close!
Until I have something else useful to say, enjoy the Islamically themed photo (Aya Sofya, Istanbul, Turkey)
Preparation...
Well I've started preparation for my Umrah to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Visa application made, tickets and hotel almost booked and cash ready to be converted to Riyals.
Haven't been to Saudi for around 6 years. I hear a lot has changed, Mecca is becoming more like a proper city rather than just a religious hotspot. Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I guess I'll know when I get there.
I've bought a telephoto lens for my camera so I can grab some people shots without having to worry to greatly about upsetting anyone. I should also have around 10x 4GB cards so space shouldn't be too much of an issue for my pictures. I'm hoping to take quite a few pics in RAW as well as JPEG. Will see how that comes along. The only problem with RAW is the post processing time required.
My hotel's going to be quite close to AL-Haram and I'll be there and in Medina for around 3 weeks. Theoretically, that gives me plenty of time to take loads of pics and do Umrah - perhaps a few times. Not sure what the plan is. I'm taking some older relatives with me so it all depends.
P.S Blog by e-mail seems to work.
