8:24 am I woke up hoping for the morning to be longer. Just could not get over with last night. The hassles over a simple thing like sitting in a place for solat and doa has yet to sink in. The waiting game that made you wonder whether it worth the time or not. That was last night and you have done what was “required” to do when visiting ;so be it.
I tried to be hurry but any movement spelt pain and agony. But I know this is temporary so forced myself to be ready for breakfast. Today we were going to Masjid Quba’.
Uber. Sometime this brilliant innovation makes you believe that humans will leave longer sustainable to the hardlife ahead. Getting a taxi was like crossing a river full of mother crocs you never know which one will kill you. But getting Uber even here in Madinah wasn’t fatal only difficult communicating. So after a while we found him and off we went.
Going back was interesting because we walked. It was reported that Prophet saw used to walk between this mosque and Masjidil Nabawi on Saturdays.
The walk took us about an hour to reach Masjidil Nabawi (4.2 km). Not bad because there even was a designated walkway between the two mosques. But under the hot sun it was rather a long walk.
11:30 am. As we approached Masjidil Nabawi, people started to go for Zohor prayers. The heat was getting unbearable,I wish I had a scarf on my head like the Arabs—— maybe that’s the reason why they wear headscarves. Hahaha apparently living life can teach you a lesson or two. So we decided to stay and waited for Zohor prayers. But what about lunch? The walk made me hungry. I thought of a good plate of mutton beriyani would be marvellous. So after the prayers, I walked again looking for a Pakistani restaurant I saw yesterday. Walla ! Rasa Malaysia Madinah. Found a Malaysian kiosk selling chicken rendang, udang goreng, mee goreng and everything Malaysian. Interesting eh! But tomorrow I am going back so can find these dishes all over. Today my tastes are rather foreign. Found it at the corner and it was as Pakistani as it could be—- chaotic, noisy, loud, and of course hairy. I smelled heaven and that was it. Kabeer mutton beriyani for 30 riyals. Unfortunately, the rice stale and the taste forgettable.
8:00 pm after Asr I rested and fell asleep. Only to wake up 15 minutes from azan Maghrib. Hhmmm late but not that late. Not like Masjidil Haraam, I could still get a place on the green carpet here at this time. I did but way outside near the gate. The Thursday crowd could never be underestimated—- the weekend’s here and everyone “lepak” at this place. Soon two beggars came by my-sidewalk and asked for money. I heard somewhere that God sent a person to you to remind you of something….. maybe these two came to tell me I am rich!….errr maybe a stingy old man that thinks he can live forever with little money he has !
No, go away I am not interested! I left before he said anything……
I needed to go back and pack my bags. It’s time to leave.
