8:00 am Done Tawaf Widak. Shortly after we were on the way to catch a bus to Madinah. Flagging down a taxi was easy but getting in was not. With the bags and all, the taxi driver almost gave up on us as he could not stop by the roadside for too long. And we could not get ready fast enough. The bus station was on the other side of the Masjid ; about five minutes or so. We arrived with plenty of time to load in our bags, got the tickets and went to the loo.and still have time for a few selfies.so all is well.
9:02 am. We were off to Madinah. Our Indon bus driver cum attendant gave out meal boxes. The bus seemed luxurious with comfortable seat and personal screen. Wifi also was available free of charge. Our journey will take about 5 hours.
As the bus started to leave the city of Makkah, I could see barren landscape with hills on the horizon. Plenty of land but seems mostly a wasteland. Camel farms popped up every now and then; otherwise just vast empty land on end. An hour on the road and the scenery has not changed. This country is huge and plenty of space and resources for future development. Yesterday was their national day celebrating the formation of Saudi Arabia by the Saud family. All the best to all Saudiah.
We arrived at the hotel around 2 pm. It was an express bus so no pitstop.It was okay no complain from me. We stopped by the roadside near the hotel area. Surprisingly, no “ulat2” trying to help you with the bags. Everyone took care of their own luggage and disappeared in between the hotel buildings. Ours was on the second row from the main street and we reached the front desk about ten minutes later.
We hurried to the masjid for Asr.;as a habit from Makkah. There was no need to be hurried or running to secure your place here. This place is huge and plenty of room for everyone. A big shift of perspective from Masjidil Haraam.
Afterwards, we went to look for biryani rice. The shop must be here somewhere—— I scanned the area for a familiar Pakistani restaurant. It was called “69 shop” and served one of the best biryani rice in Madinah. Cheap as well; cheaper than Makkah. A big size chicken biryani here cost 22 rials as in Makkah it went for a whopping 50 rials. I liked the mutton biryani especially; tasty and spicy.
At Maghrib, the crowd was big. Mostly students to learn alQuran. They learn in a circle manning by an ustaz. Every pillar in the mosque seems to have the circle. They dont do much of ceramah in the mosque but halaqah for learning alQuran. I sat beside them and eavesdropped the session. Wish I were in their position at that age, learning and reciting alQuran.
