My time in Mecca got better after I realized that I had to toughen up and forget about the behavior of others. I made my prayers and supplications as I wanted and I learned to look past the people that were around me. I had been warned that the weather would be bad and the toilets even worse. I can't complain about either. Living in Egypt had already introduced me to both and the weather in Saudi Arabia was super. We made a second Umrah on our last night there, which was much better than the first and I completed everything I wanted to do during that time. I felt better, but was still happy to be headed home the next day. I met some truly nice people, like Heba's sister-in-law Sahar and her kids, God bless her and her scarves. She was a God send, and I had lots of hugs and greetings from people I don't know and will probably never meet again. We were able to meet an Egyptian who works in Saudi Arabia as a school director and her intervention with inquiries in regards to my nationality were greatly appreciated. Thanks so much to her and her quick wit. I had two little boys around 7 or 8 ask me if I was from Palestine (that was a new one) and they even turned around to double check my answer. I guess they couldn't beleive I was American, living in Egypt and speaking Arabic. My husband was about to crack up. Our flight home was beyond any comedy show you could imagine. We flew on some Phuket Air/Thailand Sky airbus, that had first come- first serve seating, no A/C, staff that was terribly ill-equipped to deal with a bunch of hot, irritated, tired, fed up, and frustrated Egyptians after a 1 and 1/2 hour delay in departure. I truly felt we were flying in a chicken coop with wings. I was not sure the poor aircraft was going to make lift-off, and lots of things were swinging in the air, seats were flying back (thank GOD, we made it home) but only after some major laughing. My husband lost his temper with one of the cabin crew (I just kept fanning him with the airline safety brochure, no need to interrupt a free movie) people were complaining about the A/C, the flight crew took off their jackets and they were WET with perspiration, food trays were being thrown in the aisles, and a general air of unhappiness and discontent was present. I personally was over the top THRILLED with the whole scenario and to me it was the best part of the trip. I have never laughed so much during air travel. Once we returned to Cairo my sister-in-law Soheir and my brother-in-law Sameh came over and asked me how I liked my trip. I replied that "I didn't" and they didn't know what to say. I realized that my response was negating everything about the act of pilgrimage not only for myself, but for them as well. I felt quilty, and I started asking myself why was I so negative all the time. I think the lightbulb went off in that moment for me and I started reflecting on my experience and the reasons for my disillusionment.

Until next time,

A Woman of Egypt