Chapter 1- The Journey Begins

We drove to JFK. Fortunately Gui was in town and heading for Connecticut so we had a comfortable journey. We said goodbye to Linda, Anisa, Jeff and Meg in Philadelphia. Photo by Gui.

2009-02-21T14:56:26Z

Iqbal
We drove to JFK. Fortunately Gui was in town and heading for Connecticut so we had a comfortable journey. We said goodbye to Linda, Anisa, Jeff and Meg in Philadelphia. Photo by Gui.

Drive to the airport. Photo by Gui.

2009-02-21T14:53:02Z

Iqbal
Drive to the airport. Photo by Gui.

The airport check-in was very confusing and everyone got some strange looks by the airport staff especially as some people did wudhu(ritual washing of arms, face and feet). Our whole group ...

2009-07-22T02:01:56Z

Iqbal
The airport check-in was very confusing and everyone got some strange looks by the airport staff especially as some people did wudhu(ritual washing of arms, face and feet). Our whole group ...

An unknown couple. The flight was to Amman and I presume was mostly people going for Haj.

2009-02-21T14:53:24Z

Iqbal
An unknown couple. The flight was to Amman and I presume was mostly people going for Haj.

THe departure lounge in Kennedy. This one travel agent came up to me and said she was so glad that I had made it in and that she had been looking all over for me. She wanted me to wear my ...

2009-02-21T14:45:47Z

Iqbal
THe departure lounge in Kennedy. This one travel agent came up to me and said she was so glad that I had made it in and that she had been looking all over for me. She wanted me to wear my ...

Settling into our seats for Amman. Ambreen is sitting right next to Mummy in the center. And across the isle from her is Arshad Jan. They were wonderful companions all through Haj and bec ...

2009-02-21T14:52:21Z

Iqbal
Settling into our seats for Amman. Ambreen is sitting right next to Mummy in the center. And across the isle from her is Arshad Jan. They were wonderful companions all through Haj and bec ...

Nadeem and his wife Nadia, both wonderful people that we got to know so well during Haj.

2009-02-21T14:47:50Z

Iqbal
Nadeem and his wife Nadia, both wonderful people that we got to know so well during Haj.

Spirits are high while we are settling in. Notice that the women still have their hair uncovered. This of course would change by the time we reach Saudi soil to comply with their rules.

2009-06-05T15:09:43Z

Iqbal
Spirits are high while we are settling in. Notice that the women still have their hair uncovered. This of course would change by the time we reach Saudi soil to comply with their rules.

The flight attendent seemed to be making little headway dealing with the passengers. It seemed that many switched seats on their own and problems rapidly escalated. It was amusing to see t ...

2009-02-21T14:43:53Z

Iqbal
The flight attendent seemed to be making little headway dealing with the passengers. It seemed that many switched seats on their own and problems rapidly escalated. It was amusing to see t ...

A contrast between the western Royal Jordan flight attendent and the african lady passing by her. I found the african men and women most fascinating iin how they dressed and did their hair.

2009-02-21T14:46:01Z

Iqbal
A contrast between the western Royal Jordan flight attendent and the african lady passing by her. I found the african men and women most fascinating iin how they dressed and did their hair.

A veiled muslim lady passes by the flight attendent.

2009-07-22T01:56:54Z

Iqbal
A veiled muslim lady passes by the flight attendent.

We had a 7 hour layover in Amman and they sent us to a hotel. Mummy's Pakistani passport always caused a problem and the rest of the group patiently coped with getting her through. Here Na ...

2009-06-05T14:47:00Z

Iqbal
We had a 7 hour layover in Amman and they sent us to a hotel. Mummy's Pakistani passport always caused a problem and the rest of the group patiently coped with getting her through. Here Na ...

Arshad and Ambreen still wide awake.

2009-06-05T18:14:29Z

Iqbal
Arshad and Ambreen still wide awake.

The 10 hours in the airplane hasn't really taken its toll yet.

2009-06-05T15:54:18Z

Iqbal
The 10 hours in the airplane hasn't really taken its toll yet.

We only had time to freshen up so we shared a room with Nadeem and Nadia for a two hour rest. Here we are in the hotel cafe in Amman, Jordan.

2009-06-05T17:54:42Z

Iqbal
We only had time to freshen up so we shared a room with Nadeem and Nadia for a two hour rest. Here we are in the hotel cafe in Amman, Jordan.

Dr. Rajput giving a massage to Aash. Notice the large amounts of hair that Aash still has!

2009-06-05T18:19:54Z

Iqbal
Dr. Rajput giving a massage to Aash. Notice the large amounts of hair that Aash still has!

Santa showed up amongst the Hajis! We simply had to get that picture with Arshad Jan and Ambreen.

2009-02-21T14:47:20Z

Iqbal
Santa showed up amongst the Hajis! We simply had to get that picture with Arshad Jan and Ambreen.

Nadeem and Nadia outside the transit hotel in Amman.

2009-02-21T14:50:55Z

Iqbal
Nadeem and Nadia outside the transit hotel in Amman.

Back at the Amman airport. Some passengers are going to Jeddah and since their flight might take them by the Meeqat(the boundary of the area where pilgrims have to change into their Ihram. ...

2009-06-05T18:10:53Z

Iqbal
Back at the Amman airport. Some passengers are going to Jeddah and since their flight might take them by the Meeqat(the boundary of the area where pilgrims have to change into their Ihram. ...

The group at the airport counter. Since we were going to Medina first and not intruding into the boundary of the Meeqat, we stayed in our normal clothes.

2009-07-22T01:42:24Z

Iqbal
The group at the airport counter. Since we were going to Medina first and not intruding into the boundary of the Meeqat, we stayed in our normal clothes.

The mostly Pakistani porters at the airport took all the luggage and laid it out in neat rows. It was the strangest sight. These men form the working backbone of Saudi society but get very ...

2009-07-07T15:46:06Z

Iqbal
The mostly Pakistani porters at the airport took all the luggage and laid it out in neat rows. It was the strangest sight. These men form the working backbone of Saudi society but get very ...