Journal entry: July 30th, 2006
Please note that these are my reflections from the beginning of the journey. We were in Jeddah from July 31st through August 8th I believe, at which time the schedule was intense with classes.....
On the plane from JFK to Jeddah:
My first journal entry inshaAllah on the way to the rihla! Everyone says the journey to the Haramayn is not easy... I've already had my fill alhamdulillah! This in no way is a means to complain, but just a way for me to remember that insha'Allah the struggle is worth it! I will begin my entry with waking up this morning. Alhamdulillah our flight to New York was leaving at 7 AM, meaning we had to arrive at LAX at 6 AM. Alhamdulillah I woke up at 3:30 and we made it on time to the airport. I couldn't help but shed tears when departing from my parents, especially my mother. She and my brother had accompanied us until we reached airport security, at which time they said only those with tickets could pass the gate. It was a quick goodbye because I didn't want to think that this very well may be the last time I saw her. InshaAllah it won't and I have prayed that I remain strong and for Allah to take care of me, especially because I wouldn't want my mom to worry.
On the plane, I opened up an envelope my brother had given to me that included a letter, his du`a list, and some money. I also read a letter that Khadeeja had given to me before I left that she also had said not to open until I embarked on my trip. Tears welled up in my eyes while reading these emotional and touching letters, but I told myself I wouldn't cry, and that insha'Allah I am going to blessed lands; it's something to be happy about, not sad.
After arriving in New York at 3:40 PM, my sister and I went to some random baggage claim downstairs that was awhile away from where we had exited. Our flight's luggage ended up at a carousel from San Juan, but alhamdulillah we got it.We then needed to walk from terminal 9 to terminal 2. Now, if any of you have been to JFK, it's really confusing and there's an Air Train that runs from terminals. So we took one, exited where we needed to and followed the signs to terminal 2; we ended up outside. Alhamdulillah we saw a group of Muslims from Michigan and decided to follow them. We made it to the Saudi terminal where we were greeted by our fellow Rihla-goers! I met Lynn and her mom and my old tajweed teacher from the Sister's Deen Intensive. A very kind brother helped us with our luggage. Alhamdulillah for this brother as carrying those suitcases was tiring! We waited in line to check-in our bags and I already felt like I was in a 3rd world country (although Saudi isn't 3rd world!). We're very used to self check-in lines, but Saudi Air had about 5 workers manually helping. It was really disorganized and I won't go into details but let's just say the line system doesn't fly with the Saudis. Anyway, alhamdulillah the organizers had arranged for us to have shawarma sandwiches, so we ate and mozied on over for a long walk to the departing gate. Imam Zaid and his wife were also in the group. We wished that he would give us a lecture on the plane, but none of us had the audacity to ask him. So we waited at the gate and encountered more familiar faces alhamdulillah. We waited for a couple of hours in the hot terminal. Our flights was supposed to leave at 9 PM but our plane didn't arrive until that time. Meanwhile my sister and I found out that our hotel rooms were different and we asked the organizers to do something, because after all, we were sharing toothpaste and shampoo! (that was sarcasm) A little after 11 PM, we were able to board the aircraft that was steaming hot! Apparently, their electricity was out on the plane and we all were sweating in desperation for us to finally leave so that the power would turn on and the AC would actually function. The sister next to me had converted a year ago and has been very positive mashaAllah. I've already come to admire her character. Anyway, Saudi Air is interesting. Alhamdilillah they read the du`a before travelling and have a prayer room in the back. It fits about 6 people comfortably. The plane is a double decker but I can't help but feel that the stuards don't have as much hospitality as Americans. I could tell at the airport too that the workers acted as if they were doing us a favor! SubhanAllah whatever happened to customer service? Anyways, there's a lot more to say besides what's happened thus far (although in reality the "struggles" have been nothing), but my eyes are closing and I'm ready to sleep!
On the plane from JFK to Jeddah:
My first journal entry inshaAllah on the way to the rihla! Everyone says the journey to the Haramayn is not easy... I've already had my fill alhamdulillah! This in no way is a means to complain, but just a way for me to remember that insha'Allah the struggle is worth it! I will begin my entry with waking up this morning. Alhamdulillah our flight to New York was leaving at 7 AM, meaning we had to arrive at LAX at 6 AM. Alhamdulillah I woke up at 3:30 and we made it on time to the airport. I couldn't help but shed tears when departing from my parents, especially my mother. She and my brother had accompanied us until we reached airport security, at which time they said only those with tickets could pass the gate. It was a quick goodbye because I didn't want to think that this very well may be the last time I saw her. InshaAllah it won't and I have prayed that I remain strong and for Allah to take care of me, especially because I wouldn't want my mom to worry.
On the plane, I opened up an envelope my brother had given to me that included a letter, his du`a list, and some money. I also read a letter that Khadeeja had given to me before I left that she also had said not to open until I embarked on my trip. Tears welled up in my eyes while reading these emotional and touching letters, but I told myself I wouldn't cry, and that insha'Allah I am going to blessed lands; it's something to be happy about, not sad.
After arriving in New York at 3:40 PM, my sister and I went to some random baggage claim downstairs that was awhile away from where we had exited. Our flight's luggage ended up at a carousel from San Juan, but alhamdulillah we got it.We then needed to walk from terminal 9 to terminal 2. Now, if any of you have been to JFK, it's really confusing and there's an Air Train that runs from terminals. So we took one, exited where we needed to and followed the signs to terminal 2; we ended up outside. Alhamdulillah we saw a group of Muslims from Michigan and decided to follow them. We made it to the Saudi terminal where we were greeted by our fellow Rihla-goers! I met Lynn and her mom and my old tajweed teacher from the Sister's Deen Intensive. A very kind brother helped us with our luggage. Alhamdulillah for this brother as carrying those suitcases was tiring! We waited in line to check-in our bags and I already felt like I was in a 3rd world country (although Saudi isn't 3rd world!). We're very used to self check-in lines, but Saudi Air had about 5 workers manually helping. It was really disorganized and I won't go into details but let's just say the line system doesn't fly with the Saudis. Anyway, alhamdulillah the organizers had arranged for us to have shawarma sandwiches, so we ate and mozied on over for a long walk to the departing gate. Imam Zaid and his wife were also in the group. We wished that he would give us a lecture on the plane, but none of us had the audacity to ask him. So we waited at the gate and encountered more familiar faces alhamdulillah. We waited for a couple of hours in the hot terminal. Our flights was supposed to leave at 9 PM but our plane didn't arrive until that time. Meanwhile my sister and I found out that our hotel rooms were different and we asked the organizers to do something, because after all, we were sharing toothpaste and shampoo! (that was sarcasm) A little after 11 PM, we were able to board the aircraft that was steaming hot! Apparently, their electricity was out on the plane and we all were sweating in desperation for us to finally leave so that the power would turn on and the AC would actually function. The sister next to me had converted a year ago and has been very positive mashaAllah. I've already come to admire her character. Anyway, Saudi Air is interesting. Alhamdilillah they read the du`a before travelling and have a prayer room in the back. It fits about 6 people comfortably. The plane is a double decker but I can't help but feel that the stuards don't have as much hospitality as Americans. I could tell at the airport too that the workers acted as if they were doing us a favor! SubhanAllah whatever happened to customer service? Anyways, there's a lot more to say besides what's happened thus far (although in reality the "struggles" have been nothing), but my eyes are closing and I'm ready to sleep!
posted by Ruby at 7:27 PM
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