When travelling - specifically to Hajj I would recommend taking the following items in your hand luggage.
- Travel pillow - sleep needs to be taken on an as and when basis. The pillow will help you achieve this. Mine made me very comfy draping myself over my suitcase in Cairo!
- A small towel and bar of unscented soap - in my case I spent days getting to my destination in hot conditions. Taking a shower can really make you feel fresh and human again. Soap has to be unscented to meet the conditions of ihram.
- fresh underwear, again - this will make you feel better once you have had a shower.
- Ihram for men and for women i would say take a spare outfit such as leggings and vest top for under your abaya.
- Sabr!!! Hajj is a test and as I and my travelling companions found the test starts as soon as you leave your front door! You need patience. I suprised myself by having so much more patience than I usually do. You have to really go with the flow.
I am planning insha allah for hajj this year . your blog was helpful in identifying the potential issues. It seems quit a physical drill of endurance and patience, hope Allah will help us in all areas of concern. Did you obtain any spiritual satisfaction at all?
ReplyDeleteI am curious to know if there were any hajjis with better bathroom facilities or is it the same for everyone? I have lived in USA for long time and in the northeast it is never as hot, so am afraid of all this heat as well as crowd. Any suggestions?