Ramadhan in Mecca (Day 7)

3.38 am. My phone was screaming from under the blanket and I just hate that little sound. But I dont want to be late either for sahur and Fajr. Dragged myself to the washroom and saw the tired face that could use a little more sleep.

Aaaa…. no …I got red in the eye. That’s not good for a diabetic. A result of high blood sugar. I hope it’s not serious but will find an eye drop later. I was diagnosed on my 45th birthday and has been on medication ever since. My mom, dad and the whole clan are diabetic. A history of bad eating habit —- a diet full of sweet and sugar. I am off on white sugar now; completely not in my drinks. On a cheat day, however, gobbled sweets from fruits and ice cream hahahaha. Unfortunately, could not give up nasi. You can lecture me high and low but nasi must be there no matter what.

In Mecca, during this Ramadhan, tamar is abundant and it tastes so fantastic. Not like the ones we got from Mahnaz — dry and hard to chew. Here, tamar comes in many shapes,types and tastes. Dry outside but soft and sweet inside. Dr. said a diabetic must limit tamar to 300 gm consumption a day or 3-5 nuggets only. Hmmm not possible doc.

Washing day today so has to give up my jubah as it started to smell like the carpet at the mosque. Wearing a skinny tight jeans to the mosque did not really blend in very well. I must get myself a new jubah to wear. Hahahaha all the good reason to go shopping. Sometime you felt scary to go into this unfamiliar territory but trust yourself and have fun. The shopkeepers are mainly Bangla that can speak Malay so only a little trick of the trade needed here. The range for negotiation is only around five rials. I hate bargaining so one offer and I grab the thing. Got myself a new jubah , sejadah for my wife and a small portion of irresistable oud perfume called Oud Maliki.

I haven’t seen Malaysian milling around the mosque. If you do iktikaf We would bump into each other eventually. But no , where were my Malaysian comrades ? So I wonder because I know bus loads of umrah groups from Malaysia arrive daily . Maybe they prefer to stay at the hotel and come to mosque for prayers only. I mean it isn’t much you get if you do not get into the crowd and experience the “danger”. Hahahaha mutawif must be reminding them that the massive crowd should be avoided at all times. Stay inside we will feed you three times a day (outside Ramadhan that is)and take you sight seeing. A school trip kinda thing.

I used to believe in them and trusted them for the journey. Sometime mutawif said it was even okay to pray in the hotel room as it is in Mecca— the rewards are the same. I mean you travelled thousand of miles and spent thousands of ringgit to come and spent time at the hotel— what a waste. Anyway, thats one reason why I do DIY trip to experience the freedom of being in this magical place.

My points to all these ramblings :

1. Spend time at the mosque as much as you can .

2. Increase your ibadah while you are here; the rewards are abundant.

3. Try local food so you can detach hotel food.

4. Be opened to challenges, a lot will be facing you.

5. Be patient and Control your anger ( that’s for me hahahaha)