Today was basically a repeat of yesterday in terms of ritual - we have to stone the Jamaraat again.
It so happened that a friend of one of our group leaders is studying here in Makkah and he invited us (no not the entire group :-)) to have lunch at his residence. So we piled into a 'taxi' - Saudi style - and we were off.
The 'taxi' was a 1960s Chevvy Suburban that had already driven its best days. It was originally white and was made to carry 9 passengers. But today, this was not to be so since there were 18 of us. So, 9 of us assumed position in the manufacturer's suggested seating inside the vehicle while 6 of us clambered onto the roof of the SUV. The roof was reinforced with racks for just such situations. The other 3 from our adventurous group got to stand on the bumper area behind the vehicle while holding on to the roof racks silently hoping that this was not the day that the racks take leave from the host roof.
Traffic was slow and so we were able to call out to similarly juxtaposed passengers on other 'taxis' passing by. We smiled broadly at each other.
We got to our destination, paid the the driver 10 Riyals each as was negotiated prior to the trip.
Lunch was a sort of Beef stew and a Lamb Stew with a kind of Nan - we all enjoyed it.
We still had to do the stoning today as well and so we decided to do that immediately after lunch as we were now not too far from the Jamaraat - about half an hour's walk.
We negotiated our way through crowded streets, with hawkers competing for our attention.
We arrived at the Jamaraat, did the stoning, and proceeded back to our hotel. When we go back to the main road, traffic was literally at a standstill. Drivers can be seen sitting on the sidewalks, out of their vehicles, trying to ease themselves from the frustration.
Needless to say we decided to walk. Motor cycles drove on the sidewalks, mush to the annoyance of the pedestrians, attempting to get ahead. After about 45 min walking, I noticed a brand new Toyota Landcruiser on the opposite side of the street where the traffic was moving - albeit very slowly. The Toyota was trying to forge ahead of a dilapidated minivan (called a minibus here) - these are also used as taxis. The minibus stood its ground. The Toyota continued to intimidate its predecessor.
Bang! The Toyota bumped the minibus. They stopped. To a New Yorker, the most funny incident ensued. Both drivers came out of their vehicles and approached each other. The driver of the minibus said something in Arabic and then stuck his hand out. The two drivers then shook hands vigorously, hugged each other, and then returned to their respective vehicles and continued on their way! They did not even look at the vehicles! I wondered about the job opportunities for lawyers here :-)
We went back to the camp at Mina. This was the last day of Hajj - those who wish can stay for one more day, but our group would be leaving. We had dinner, gathered our belongings and prepared for departure tomorrow.
It so happened that a friend of one of our group leaders is studying here in Makkah and he invited us (no not the entire group :-)) to have lunch at his residence. So we piled into a 'taxi' - Saudi style - and we were off.
The 'taxi' was a 1960s Chevvy Suburban that had already driven its best days. It was originally white and was made to carry 9 passengers. But today, this was not to be so since there were 18 of us. So, 9 of us assumed position in the manufacturer's suggested seating inside the vehicle while 6 of us clambered onto the roof of the SUV. The roof was reinforced with racks for just such situations. The other 3 from our adventurous group got to stand on the bumper area behind the vehicle while holding on to the roof racks silently hoping that this was not the day that the racks take leave from the host roof.
Traffic was slow and so we were able to call out to similarly juxtaposed passengers on other 'taxis' passing by. We smiled broadly at each other.
We got to our destination, paid the the driver 10 Riyals each as was negotiated prior to the trip.
Lunch was a sort of Beef stew and a Lamb Stew with a kind of Nan - we all enjoyed it.
We still had to do the stoning today as well and so we decided to do that immediately after lunch as we were now not too far from the Jamaraat - about half an hour's walk.
We negotiated our way through crowded streets, with hawkers competing for our attention.
We arrived at the Jamaraat, did the stoning, and proceeded back to our hotel. When we go back to the main road, traffic was literally at a standstill. Drivers can be seen sitting on the sidewalks, out of their vehicles, trying to ease themselves from the frustration.
Needless to say we decided to walk. Motor cycles drove on the sidewalks, mush to the annoyance of the pedestrians, attempting to get ahead. After about 45 min walking, I noticed a brand new Toyota Landcruiser on the opposite side of the street where the traffic was moving - albeit very slowly. The Toyota was trying to forge ahead of a dilapidated minivan (called a minibus here) - these are also used as taxis. The minibus stood its ground. The Toyota continued to intimidate its predecessor.
Bang! The Toyota bumped the minibus. They stopped. To a New Yorker, the most funny incident ensued. Both drivers came out of their vehicles and approached each other. The driver of the minibus said something in Arabic and then stuck his hand out. The two drivers then shook hands vigorously, hugged each other, and then returned to their respective vehicles and continued on their way! They did not even look at the vehicles! I wondered about the job opportunities for lawyers here :-)
We went back to the camp at Mina. This was the last day of Hajj - those who wish can stay for one more day, but our group would be leaving. We had dinner, gathered our belongings and prepared for departure tomorrow.
2 comments:
How about publishing the experiences of the Hujaj that went thru Jordan and spent days and nights at the airport with their kids?
Sorry, I did not go to Jordan nor did I spen days and nights at the airport.
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