Hajj, A Journey of a Lifetime: An Insiders Look
#31
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Read every word, top to bottom. Best TR ever.. You are a great spokes person for your religion the way you describe the reason for the rituals and the personal journey you went on. Bravo!
#34
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, TK Elite, A3 Gold
Posts: 145
Great report - thanks for sharing this very interesting and unique experience. It's still staggering to see how many people there are in your photos. Amazing!
#37
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
I agree. Truly a fascinating trip report.
I, like many others, have often had the opportunity to learn about Hajj from others that I have met on my travels. Not being Muslim myself, it makes the subject matter all that much more interesting. Seeing it here first hand was a fascinating experience.
Thank you for the effort taken to post this. ^
I, like many others, have often had the opportunity to learn about Hajj from others that I have met on my travels. Not being Muslim myself, it makes the subject matter all that much more interesting. Seeing it here first hand was a fascinating experience.
Thank you for the effort taken to post this. ^
#40
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
Very interesting TR, thanks for posting. I must say i'm (half) surprised that the Saudi government hasn't tried to "streamline" and improve certain aspects of the Hajj. Banning fruit is an interesting method of disease control, but if everyone comes away with the Hajj cough, that sounds like an issue. Overcrowding and exhuastion sounds endemic. And never ending waits for buses sounds infuriating!
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 261
Thank you roadwarriorafrica for reading it.
Thanks DL17 for reading. Great pictures of your trip to Buenos Aires, BTW.
Thanks thekfc for reading.
I so much appreciated you taking the trouble you have taken to provide an insight into this important .... in fact unique moment in your life and for so many others who share your faith.
I have often seen the event on satellite TV and wondered about it and your dialogue took me along with you. You took so much trouble, and it is this insight and degree of detail that you patiently recorded, that helps others feel a bond withboth you and your wife's joy and delight and also those that share your beliefs.
Heart-felt thanks.
I have often seen the event on satellite TV and wondered about it and your dialogue took me along with you. You took so much trouble, and it is this insight and degree of detail that you patiently recorded, that helps others feel a bond withboth you and your wife's joy and delight and also those that share your beliefs.
Heart-felt thanks.
Great trip report, thanks.
I'd just read this interesting article about how the new package tour experiences really deprive you of the spiritual and personal growth that comes from meeting people with different backgrounds on the Hajj:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/10/01...-of-mecca.html
It's fun to see the same experience retold from a Flyertalk perspective
I'd just read this interesting article about how the new package tour experiences really deprive you of the spiritual and personal growth that comes from meeting people with different backgrounds on the Hajj:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/10/01...-of-mecca.html
It's fun to see the same experience retold from a Flyertalk perspective
I'm happy to hear that rmalamud. Thanks.
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 261
I'm glad you liked it JamesYVR.
I agree. Truly a fascinating trip report.
I, like many others, have often had the opportunity to learn about Hajj from others that I have met on my travels. Not being Muslim myself, it makes the subject matter all that much more interesting. Seeing it here first hand was a fascinating experience.
Thank you for the effort taken to post this. ^
I, like many others, have often had the opportunity to learn about Hajj from others that I have met on my travels. Not being Muslim myself, it makes the subject matter all that much more interesting. Seeing it here first hand was a fascinating experience.
Thank you for the effort taken to post this. ^
Very interesting TR, thanks for posting. I must say i'm (half) surprised that the Saudi government hasn't tried to "streamline" and improve certain aspects of the Hajj. Banning fruit is an interesting method of disease control, but if everyone comes away with the Hajj cough, that sounds like an issue. Overcrowding and exhuastion sounds endemic. And never ending waits for buses sounds infuriating!
I'm happy you liked it derekmines. A lot of Hajj Pilgrims will be going through DXB to reach Jeddah. You might bump into some.