PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST - A MEMORABLE TRIP

Hey steemit community, hope you all are doing well. Today I’ll be sharing my most memorable and amazing trip which was “trip to Saudi Arabia”

So in 2019, a year before there was covid everywhere in the world, after Eid al fitr we were deciding where should we go as we go somewhere for the vacations every year. I suggested to go to Saudi Arabia as I had never been there and everyone loved the idea but the issue was that at that time the visas for Umrah were closing because the time for hajj was near. Luckily we got the umrah visas and that was q very happy moment for me. Started packing bags, bought ihram and just couldn’t wait to go and see that beautiful place. Our flight was at 4 in the morning so we had almost no sleep. We went to the airport at 2. Landed at jeddah airport early in the morning. It was Friday so we had to reach there before the Friday prayer. Something unpleasant happened. Our travel agent told us that you’ll get the transport but there was none so we were looking for taxis. While we were searching, a guy came and he said we can take you to Makkah for free on a coaster and we were like why not, let’s go. Just so you know our luggage was very heavy. We put it in the coaster and the driver said I’m waiting for someone so just a moment. We waited and waited and a lot of time passed and we decided to get out. We got out carrying the luggage again and took the taxi to Makkah. We reached there and since it was Friday the driver didn’t drop us at the gate of the hotel because the police wasn’t allowing it. We took those heavy bags and checked in the hotel. We were extremely hungry but there was no time to eat since the time for Friday prayer was up, but we ate KFC and managed. We prayed and after that went to do umrah. Already tired and legs were breaking. Did tawaf and didn’t know that I had to go to maqam e Ibrahim and pray two nafal and no one told me either. I had two younger cousins with me and we lost other family members. I knew that we were not lost l, we just couldn’t find each other. After running here and there, we found each other and my uncle scolded me. I told them that this is my first time. Prayed two nafal at maqam e Ibrahim and went for “Sayee”. It is 7 rounds between Safa and Marwa. Did that with broken legs and the umrah was done, got my head shaved and then rested because I was dying! That was the end of the bad time. Next morning woke up refreshed. Went for prayer and did tawaf. We did tawaf every day in the morning. It was so peaceful that I never wanted to leave. We stayed in Makkah for 7 days. On the last day in Makkah we did second Umrah before going to Madina and that day is the best day of my life. We wore Ihrams from Masjid e Ayesha and went to Haram. While doing Tawaf with my cousin, I kissed Hajr e Aswad(Black stone) qnd made my cousin do it! It was the best moment, I was so happy. I told my uncle and everyone. I cannot describe my happiness and experience in words. As I told you it was ending time for Umrah, the place was very less crowded so it was easy.

After that we went to Madinah. It was so peaceful there too. People were so nice.

Normally people don’t find a chance to pray at Riyaz ul Jannah because it is very crowded all the time but again at our time not much crowd and we prayed there everyday. On the last day, the flights for hajj came to Madinah. It became very crowded but it was hood to see so many people. The time came to go back. I didn’t want to leave at all. The places were so peaceful, that they attract you towards them but had to come.
This was my experience. I hope you were not bored while reading it :D