Oh boy what an experience!! 
:rotato: 
Let me just say there was every chance that I wouldn’t be alive to write this today. I witnessed the carnage on day 3 of Jamaraat myself and was almost caught up in the stampede. May Allah bless the departed souls and accept everyones Hajj. It was one of the worst days of my life and I learnt to hate the pathetic saudi police and army with passion 
More on that another time.
But the Hajj itself…
… someone once said to me Hajj is a reflection of the ummah and is like going to war and indeed it IS! Go there and you will realise the ummah is in URGENT need for education. The lack of understanding of rites, manners, consideration and rude disregard for others and pollution of the holy land is astonishing. In fact so bad it is that many times I wanted to pack my bags and just go home. You will see the best and worst in people. Apart from the ills of pushing, shoving, screaming, shouting and fighting (mostly women) I also saw the best of islamic brotherhood with pilgrims smiling and giving salams to strangers, giving food/water during hard times and helping others in just about anything. It is also very very very demanding, both physically and mentally. I trained for over 8 weeks and every moment of that came to use. Don’t get me started on the menacing crowds near the Kaaba, those after Jummah prayers or at the Jamaraat, it will take every LAST ounce of strength you have. Its like war, you’re struggling to get out in one piece, navigating through unknown areas/streets and many other times have limited food/water supplies and cannot rely on others. Your patience is tested to the very EXTREME! Just when you’re about to strike someone or shout, you have to bite your tongue, swallow your pride and ignore them. Its all about sabr, sabr, sabr.
Spiritually, it can be very hard to ‘connect’ at first, especially if you’re overwhelmed by the climate, unsavoury scenes/behaviour in Mecca, the crowds, or adjusting to the living conditions in the camps at Mina, but after a while and especially on the day of Arafah (despite the scorching heat) and Muzdalifah night, or in the Haram itself, it is amazing. The unity and brotherhood is really touching and I made some great friends. Hajj is one of the toughest things you will ever have to do but the pain is worth it.
The Indonesians and Malaysians are most organised groups there but their huddling together could be really annoying at times. I also felt sorry for them since they were always being thrown around and crushed because of their small sizes. Pakistani elders, Afghans and Africans are rough! Don’t stand in their way, they will walk over you like a bulldozer. Manners that we’re accustomed to in the west is an alien concept to them. But full marks go to the Iranians. Next to western muslims they were the most polite and most well behaved people there, true role models how a pilgrim should behave :k: The Russians and Azerbaijanis were also a well behaved bunch.
My advice to all those out there is not to waste time and to fufill this obligation whilst still young. I saw so many elder pilgrims struggle under the searing heat and hours of travelling. Take full advantage of your youth as Hajj is only going to get tougher and tougher with each passing year. Out there you will realise how insignificant and wasted our everyday lives are and that we all have one destiny fast approaching. Unfortunately many don’t realise until too late. I already wanna go back.
I must mention Jummah namaz, it was amazing! My soul shook when I heard Sheikh Sudais leading jamaat. I’ve watched this guy throughout Ramadan leading Taraweeh prayers in Mecca and immediately recognised his voice. It was truly a heart warming event praying behind him. I love that guy!
Oh and I took loads of pics of the Kaaba! 
The way I made fools of the saudi guards and sneeked my camera in was priceless 
I’ve got shots from all floors both during day and night whilst doing tawaaf including one taken a foot away from the kaaba. Also took some shots at Madina and a few at Masjid Quba. Will post them another time.
Other guppies back from Hajj, post your experiences if any…
but I’ve heard some wonderful stories.
it was so easy…
- Good to hear you’re planning. Honestly, go for it, its something you’ll cherish forever. I saw tons of teens performing Hajj from all over the world and all looked to be enjoying the whole thing 
Its an adventure as well as a spiritual experience. A good idea is to have your family go with friends. That way you’ll have company, can enjoy it more and most important of all, help and support along the way. I didn’t have that and struggled, though I did make some close friends from my group later on. The secret is to PLAN for it well in advance so you know what to expect or you could be in for some nasty shocks like me 