Bismillah,
The past two days have been the longest two days in my entire life lolol. Subhanallah(glory be to Allah). I final made it to Medina to be reunited with my husband after 3 months.Not without a few test though, that's for sure.
After saying good-bye to my family, I quickly rushed thought security because I heard my flight being called and that made me a bit nervous. The nice lady who checked my passport in line, was so kind and let me pass about 4 people.I was so thankful because there were like six lines that merged into just one, so the security process takes awhile.
Here is where the tests begin:) So as you all are aware, after 911 security cracked down in the airports. So if you look Muslim or have a Muslim name 9 1/2 times out of 10 your going to be checked. before I started where the proper head covering (hijab), I would occasionally get pulled to the side just because of my name. Now that I wear it, given, that I'm gonna be pulled to the side. I went though the box, passport in hand, in a bit of a panic because my flight was boarding, so I was hoping that if I didn't beep they would let me pass. Well..... they waved their magical wand, and nothing beeped, but to my surprise:)I was still escorted to the side, where I got frisked:) Sometimes, I'm not gonna lie, It upsets me. But Life is filled with test, and that I consider very little.
So I final get to my gate and start boarding, mentally preparing myself for the long 12 hour journey ahead. Well guess what, there is no such thing, It's long no matter how you think, lol. But Alhumdulillah they had pretty good entertainment. They had those mini screens with Islamic learning material, Movies and much more. I watch a few religious shows, listen to the Koran (Muslim holy book), and watched "ANT BULLY" cartoon:). I think it would of helped if I went to sleep, but once I felt myself going, after about an hour into the flight, BAM dinners being served.
I was not super excited about the meals on the plane because I had heard from several people that the meals aren't the best. Well your not gonna believe this guys but the food was actually pretty good. On a scale from 1-10 I'd give it a 7/8. I didn't even have to put salt or pepper on anything. They served rice with I think some kind of chicken curry stuff with eggplant. The eggplant was a little difficult for me to eat due to the texture, but I still managed to it half. With that they also served salad,and fruit, ohh and don't forget the bread (thats served with pretty much everything). So Alhumdulillah (all praise due to Allah) I was happy, and breakfast was edible too:)ohhh yea funny story....So I'm rummaging through my bag looking for hand sanitizer because I was about to eat. Finally after about 5 minute lolol I find it. Well due to the air pressure all the contents goes to the top and when you open it Surprise, In you face lol well this time it did get me it got the man sitting next to me, lol I felt so bad, If you all would of saw his face, you too would fell horrible lolol, but the look was priceless. I immediately explained that it was only hand sanitizer lol, and his face seemed to go back to its originally state:)
So after 13 hours,(including the time we had to wait when we were being taxied out)I landed in Jeddah. So I rush, get my stuff and walk off the plane, Then BAM, that's when the heat hits you. Its like walking into a sauna when your already hot. I also can compare it to standing next to a hot car, on a hot summer day, that's consistently how it feels every where. Alhumdulillah I'm getting use to it pretty fast.It was around 100 degrees today, and my husband told me that one day it was up to 115. So inshallah if I live to see that day, I'll let you know how It was:)
Anywho I hop on a bus to the airport, and then they check my passport. At this point I'm cool calm and collected just following the crowd up the stairs. I get up stairs and here is where the fun begins. Immediately I go to freshen up in the restroom, one minute later a women comes in talking on her cell phone. As I'm washing my face off, she finds her way to the counter right next to me, jumps up, sits down, and lights up. As an American I'm not use to that, for the most part your never really exposed to second hand smoke. Here I guess it's pretty much okay to smoke where ever, when ever. That was the fastest wash up ever, I was out of there, I didn't want to smell like a pack of cigs when I saw my husband for the first time. lololol
After that I went and made my prayers. Here they conveniently have masjids (place of prayer/worship) every where. Next I have to figure out where my gate is, and also how to convert my US dollars over to Saudi Riyals (SR). Well I walked around for about an hour with no success. I probably asked 4 people and they all pointed randomly, because I don't think they understood anything I had said. I wasn't in a rush, so I told myself why get upset, just sit down relax and inshallah everything will go jussssst fine......Well guys I'm trying so hard to finish this, but as
I type I realized I have soooo much to share. God willing I'm gonna let you read it now, cause I don't want to leave you hanging, then inshallah, Saturday I'll post the rest of my story:) Love you all lots, thanks for reading!
salam