I’m exploring the possibility of renaming my blog to The Lazy Blogger. At this point, it feels like I’ve run out of excuses. The good thing is, as part of my Q1 goals, I needed to write a blog post and with just 8 days left in the quarter, here I am holding myself accountable.
As I mentioned in my last post, I travelled a lot during Q4 2025, and between work and travel, I could barely find the time to put pen to paper. Honestly, even getting my year-in-review done felt like a miracle. This blog has always been a space for me to relax, process personal thoughts, and just be. The moment it starts to feel like work, I know I won’t want to do it.
Today, I actually feel relaxed, even though my uterus is currently punishing me for my life choices. I always thought period pain gets better with age… that has not been my experience. For me, it’s more like a series of apocalypses and a full-on tug of war. In my head, the conversation goes something like: “Oh, you’re not pregnant?” and I’m like “I’m not, duh. Do your worst.” And it absolutely does. No holding back.
I’ve basically been rolling around in bed for the past 24 hours, but I finally gathered the strength to get up, eat something, and do something meaningful. Writing this actually feels relaxing and at the very least, it’s a good distraction.
Originally, I planned to write separate blog posts for each destination from Q4 2025, but ironically, that’s what delayed this post. So I’ve decided to combine everything and focus on the highlights. Hopefully, going forward, I’ll return to my usual style. Fair compromise, if you ask me.
Los Angeles, USA.
I initially wanted to go back to Napa Valley, but then I remembered I’d have to drive from San Francisco to wine country and driving is just not something I enjoy. I’m one of those people who has multiple driver’s licenses but rarely uses them. It’s actually surprising that I’m still a good driver.
Anyway, while weighing my options, I randomly messaged an acquaintance I had met who lives in LA and asked if she’d be around that weekend. She replied with an enthusiastic yes. Before I could change my mind, she had already sent a full list of things we should do, and just like that, it was too late.
That energy felt familiar. It’s very me. I’m either an enthusiastic yes or a firm no, there’s no in-between. So I leaned in. Without further ado, I booked my flight. LA, here I come.
I took a red-eye flight that departed around midnight. The next morning was Friday, and I had a few meetings, but otherwise everything was planned out perfectly. What I didn’t know was that the devil had other plans, and no, this one definitely wasn’t the universe.
I had booked a beautiful Airbnb in Beverly Hills. My thinking was simple, I wouldn’t be there much anyway so why book a hotel. My itinerary was packed, I barely expected to sleep. I was going to be out, living my best life.
When I arrived, I was exhausted. I dropped my bags and decided to take a shower. That’s when I noticed the bathroom was outside the room. Slight inconvenience, but nothing major or so I thought.
I wrapped myself in a towel, headed to the bathroom, and took a quick shower. When I finished and went back to my room… the door was locked. Electronically. With a code. A code I did not have.
At first, I thought, how hard can this be? It’s a 3-bedroom house, surely the host is around. So I knocked on another door. Two men came out but they were also Airbnb guests. I didn't know this when I made the reservation, I had thought that the host lived in the house. Anyway, I explained my situation and of course now very aware that I was standing there in a towel. They kindly tried to call and message the host. No response.
After about 30 minutes, one of them went inside and brought me joggers and a sweatshirt to cover up (Yes, me in a strangers cloth)! Also, after a quick internal risk assessment, I clocked that they were likely a couple, which, oddly enough, made me feel a bit safer. The thought of them being heterosexual would have killed me otherwise. Anyway, We kept calling. Nothing.
After about three hours, one of them offered to break the door down. I refused. It didn’t sit right with me, it just wasn’t aligned with my values. So I said I’d keep trying. Eventually, they left me with their phone and went to bed. No response still from the host.
By 7 AM PST (which was the same time as my meeting in EST), I was furious. I hate being seen as unreliable or flaky, it’s just not who I am. I started trying to rationalize the situation, surely the host will show up in the morning… I was wrong!
At this point, I had stepped outside, asking strangers for their phones to call the host. A few people tried to help, then gave up. One neighbour asked if I had contacted Airbnb. I hadn’t, because I didn’t have my phone.
She called Airbnb for me, but of course, they needed authentication, which I couldn’t provide. I didn’t have access to anything, not even my email, so I couldn't provide the 2FA for them the authenticate me. After about 20 minutes, she had to leave. By 10 AM, I was just standing outside the house, hoping and praying that the host would show up. On another thought, I thought maybe he died in his sleep as this was abnormal, never experienced anything like this.
Then another woman walked by. I said good morning, with tears in my eyes. She stopped and asked what was wrong. And I just broke down. I couldn’t even get the words out. She calmly said, “Take a minute, it’s okay.” When I finally explained, she said, “I work for myself, I’ve got all day. We’re going to sort this out. And she meant it.
We called Airbnb again. After a lot of back and forth, and yes, some yelling and legal threats, they finally escalated the issue. Long story short, it took about two more hours, plus some creative problem-solving involving a phone number I use for registrations (shoutout to my manicurist Jayden for saving the day), but eventually. I got back in.
Laura, that was her name. My God sent helper. She even offered to get me something to eat.
Later, after I had freshened up, I went to thank her. She looked at me and said, “Wow, look how beautiful you are!” and then immediately got angry on my behalf all over again. She made me promise I’d hold Airbnb accountable. I told her if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s getting justice.
Once I got my phone back, I immediately reached out to apologize for the meeting I missed. My acquaintance (now friend) had been calling and texting, so I called her and narrated everything. My only conclusion was "I need a drink". She showed up with bottles and electrolytes. Exactly what I needed.
Meanwhile, the host finally appeared at 1 PM. I confronted him, but within seconds, I realized the conversation was pointless. No accountability, no empathy. That was enough for me. At that moment, my plan changed. This trip was now part fun, part justice, I started gathering evidence. After all, I would never have crossed paths with him if not for Airbnb.
I let Airbnb handle it but I made sure to gathered every piece of evidence I needed. By the time I checked out, I had filed a formal complaint and had a lawyer send a letter. Within a few days, everything was resolved. Full refund. The host listing removed forever from the platform. And honestly? If he had just given a genuine apology in that moment, I probably would have let it go. But the complete lack of empathy, especially given the safety risk made me see it through.
Now, to the fun part.
The moment I got my phone back, I ordered quesadillas and a salad, took a proper shower (with my phone nearby this time, lesson learned), and got ready. With the way I looked that night? You would never have guessed what I had been through earlier. I looked incredible! Effortless! Like I had just stepped out of a magazine. We started at an exclusive social club called Gravitas, then went clubbing. Since my friend lives in Hollywood, we ended up in all the spots you see on TV. I got back around 5 AM. The next day, I met my friend Jill for breakfast. The last time we went out, we almost got banned from a rooftop spot (story for another day), so we agreed to keep things calm.
That didn’t last. Breakfast turned into brunch, then drinks, then shopping on Rodeo Drive. By 4 PM, I went home for a quick nap before heading out again to dinner at Novikov, drinks at Edition, and then somewhere else I genuinely cannot remember. One of those “locals-only” spots. Again, I got back in the early hours.
A few hours later, we were up again for an airshow, Tash’s friend was flying, and we went to support. It was about an hour and a half drive from Hollywood, but at that point, why not? The event ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. It gave us time to actually bond, I got to know her properly and we spent most of it laughing.
She dropped me off at the airport later that day. We hugged, promised to do it again, and just like that, the trip was over. It didn’t start the way I expected, but I’m so glad I didn’t let that experience ruin it.
Also, Laura and I stayed in touch, we check in on each other from time to time. If all of that hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t have met someone like her. She even refused when I offered to take her out for lunch. She said something that stuck with me:
“People with good intentions always find their way to each other.” And honestly? I believe that.
Sydney, Australia.
Whenever I thought about Australia, it was always for one of two things: diving at the Great Barrier Reef or attending the Australian Grand Prix.
A friend casually mentioned Australia while I was complaining about working all summer, and she pointed out something that hadn’t even crossed my mind that while we’re heading into autumn, Australia is just getting into summer. That alone was enough to spark interest.
Then, almost out of nowhere, another friend who lives in Australia asked if I wanted to come visit. It also happened to be the 20-year anniversary of Back to Bedlam, and James Blunt was wrapping up his tour in Sydney. It wasn’t an immediate enthusiastic yes. Like anyone, the first thing that came to mind was the distance. But the moment I thought about the Great Barrier Reef, my hesitation disappeared. Plus, I needed to shake off the energy from my LA experience, I had never gone through anything like that before, and I was very ready to rewrite that story. So, tickets booked. Tours booked.
On the day of travel, my flight was at 4 PM, so I went about my day as usual, meetings, work, everything planned down to the minute. I gave myself about two hours for the airport commute, which is pretty standard for me. Now, one bad habit that never seems to leave me is that I’m a mental packer. I don’t physically pack until a few hours before I travel. So, naturally, Australia was no different. My plan was to pack in between meetings.
Then at around 11 AM, I got a flight delay notification. At first, I thought, no big deal. Then it hit me, if the first flight is delayed, I might miss the connection. I checked and there was only about an hour between flights. I called the airline, and they confirmed my suspicion.
They tried to rebook me, but all the options came with long layovers, and I might have missed the concert. That was not happening. I became very firm and told them I didn’t care how, they needed to get me there on the original date.
In that moment, I had this strange déjà vu, like I had been here before. So I immediately made a decision not to take any checked luggage. Just essentials and my work laptop. And off I went to the airport. Something in me just knew I’d be rerouted, and if it happened last minute, baggage would only slow me down. I didn’t want that liability. Turns out, I was right. They eventually rerouted me. Instead of flying out from San Francisco, I was now leaving from Vancouver.
The only catch was, all the upgrades I had carefully booked for a comfortable long-haul flight were gone. Just like that, I found myself on a 24-hour economy flight to Australia, my worst nightmare. To make matters worse, I had forgotten my earphones, eye mask… basically every essential for surviving a long-haul flight. Thankfully, I had a book. Honestly, though? The flight wasn’t as bad as I expected. Maybe I was just too mentally exhausted to care at that point. However, one thing I didn’t anticipate was the security check. While leaving Vancouver, I got heavily questioned. They wanted to know why my ticket looked like it had just been purchased. Which, technically, it had, because of the reroute. The same thing happened when I arrived in Australia. I was pulled aside and properly scrutinized. But the immigration officer was actually really kind, he kept apologizing for the inconvenience. Eventually, he asked why I was visiting. I told him I was diving at the Great Barrier Reef and attending a concert. Then I added (with a bit of attitude) “Well, that’s what you do when you have no responsibilities or kids.” We both burst out laughing. He joked that he wished he had figured that out earlier in life, that he might have made better choices.
By the time I got to my hotel, it was around 8 AM. I was exhausted and starving, but not for breakfast food. I was craving something spicy. Tom Yum, specifically. So I went out and found this Thai spot that served the spiciest noodles I’ve ever had. It was exactly what I needed. By the time I finished eating, my room was ready. I checked in, took a shower… and completely passed out. I didn’t wake up until late evening. My friend had called, so we linked up for dinner. After that, I picked up a few things I hadn’t packed properly.
The next day was the concert, so I kept things light. I spent most of the day around the Sydney Opera House, just soaking it all in and conserving my energy for the night. Exactly as planned.
On the day of the concert, I explored the city properly, Bondi Beach, a ferry ride near the Harbour Bridge, and back to the Opera House. Sydney, in many ways, reminded me of Toronto. The architecture, the energy, it felt familiar in a comforting way. Eventually, I headed back to the hotel, freshened up, and got ready for the night.
Now, about James Blunt.
He has always come across as just a decent guy. Like a regular person who chose music as a career and didn’t feel the need to do the extra things some artists do to stay relevant. There’s something very relatable and responsible about him. For two months leading up to the concert, I had been listening to all his albums on repeat, just to refresh my memory and make sure I could sing along. My absolute favourite is still "Monsters".
The concert itself was incredible. The crowd, the energy, everything. And I think the fact that it was the final leg of the tour made it even more special. After the concert, I went back to the hotel and called it a night. The next day was intentionally slow, just resting, recharging, and getting ready for the next leg of the trip, Cairns. I was finally going to soak up the sun and dive at the Great Barrier Reef.
Cairns, Australia.
I had booked myself a penthouse suite in Cairns, huge enough to comfortably fit five people. I’m still not entirely sure how I managed to snag it at such an incredible price. Originally, I was going to stay at the Hilton. But as I usually do, I searched for hotels within the same radius and ended up finding a stunning property next door for a fraction of the price. Whenever I’m on a beach vacation, views are non-negotiable. I want to see the sea. I want sunrise and sunset. That’s not a “nice to have”, it’s a requirement. And this place delivered all of that, plus an insane amount of space.
I had also booked my Great Barrier Reef dives for the following morning and the day after. My itinerary was intentionally simple, dive, eat as much food as possible, repeat. The only spoiler was work which means, I was up most nights but that didn’t take away from the fun.
What truly shocked me was the sheer number of boats and divers on the Great Barrier Reef tour. I expected it to be busy, but nothing prepared me for what I actually saw. It makes sense because it’s a bucket-list experience for many, myself included, but I had genuinely never seen that many divers in one place. Some people were even on multi-day trips with overnight dives. I was very glad that wasn’t me. My claustrophobia would never survive that kind of commitment. Once I got past the initial shock, I settled in and geared up for my dives. I was paired with a dive buddy and kept her for both dives, which made the experience even better. The dives themselves were incredible. The water temperature was perfect, the reef was stunning, and the marine life was unreal. I had never seen anything like it, beautiful, calm, and incredibly rewarding.
By day three, I booked a full-day tour to Mossman Gorge, which included a few other stops. Oh did I tell you I also got sagged. Okay maybe not specifically, but to be able to go into the aboriginal forest in Ngadiku, we were required to participate in a traditional smoking ceremony conducted by the Kuku Yalanji guides. Apparently, the ritual cleanses spirits and welcomes visitors to the land, setting a spiritual tone for the tour. Honestly, I probably needed it considering how my travel plans have been jinxed. Anyway, It was a long beautiful walk learning about the aboriginal people and I had the most relaxing swim at the Daintree forest. By the time I got back, I was exhausted. That evening, I went out for dinner and tried kangaroo, yes, kangaroo and it was genuinely delicious. I’m not ashamed to admit I even asked for takeaway.
The following day was my last full day in Cairns, so I kept it slow. I spent it enjoying the property, swimming in the lagoon, and just taking it all in. Honestly, it was the perfect way to end that part of the trip.
The next morning, I packed up and flew back to Sydney to prepare for my return to North America. Back in Sydney, I had dinner at a well-known French restaurant called Restaurant Hubert. It has a speakeasy vibe, very reminiscent of The Alchemist in Copenhagen. It was the perfect final night before calling it a day and mentally preparing for the 25-hour journey home.
And just like that, the trip came full circle.
Turkish Riviera.
I had barely rested before I got a notification that my trip to Dubai was that same week. I didn’t even bother unpacking, I literally went with the same suitcase I brought back from Australia. If I needed anything, I figured I’d just get it in Dubai since I have my clothes there anyway. Dubai was really just a short stopover before heading to Turkey. This trip had been planned well in advance because I had booked an appointment for my dental implant. Moving things around would have been complicated, and expensive so I stuck with the plan. I’ve always liked Turkey, but this time I wanted to explore somewhere new. That was Fethiye and I’m so glad I did.
Fethiye, Turkey.
I booked a hotel that genuinely felt like stepping back in time. The aesthetic was antique, Mediterranean, and absolutely stunning. And somehow, it looked even better in person. I had a full view of the harbour and watched the sunrise every morning, it became part of my routine. The hospitality was top tier.
Breakfast was divine and very generous with cheese. Thanks to this trip, I also discovered that I’m apparently allergic to certain types of cheese… not ideal, but at least now I know. My focus in Fethiye was simple: get my dental implant, enjoy a hammam, and spend my days by the beach or pool. Unfortunately, diving was off the table because of the risk of infection, but since it was low season, there wasn’t much going on anyway, so I had no FOMO.
The first three days were dedicated to my dental procedure and recovering from the swollen cheeks that came with it. But once that was done, I started exploring. I visited Çalış Beach, drove out to Ölüdeniz for a swim, and very luckily, made a friend who showed me around like a local. Those are always the best experiences, not planned just spontaneity and gut feeling. Also, I had a hammam bath which was incredible, It felt like the deep cleanse I didn’t know I needed. I also discovered Turkish linen… and maybe indulged a bit more than I should have. And of course, I ate a lot of lamb chops. Fethiye, for me, was pure relaxation.
Once I was done there, I headed to Antalya. The plan was to explore the coast, starting with Kaleiçi, then moving through Kaş (where I would finally dive again), Kekova, and ending in Kemer. And that’s exactly what I did.
Kaleiçi, Antalya
My first stop was Kaleiçi and it quickly became one of my favourites. I randomly fell in love with Anadolu rock… to the point where I basically followed the singer home. Hold on, I have a bit of context. I was at a show alone, having the time of my life, singing along wherever I could and nodding my head to the insane metal and instruments. Unbeknownst to me, the girl sitting next to me was the singer’s girlfriend. She had been trying to tell me, but there was a language barrier. Eventually, her friend arrived and translated. Next thing I know, I’m invited to their after-party. I initially declined, but she insisted. One thing I’ve learned is Turkish people are incredibly hospitable. I didn’t have a bad feeling about it, so I went.
At the house, I met a group of musicians, real musicians, the kind that play actual instruments and I felt genuinely inspired. Honestly, it has been on my goal year on year that I need to learn how to play at least one musical instrument.
Communication was mostly gestures and my very limited Turkish, but it didn’t matter. Also, on a side note, I genuinely think Turkish is a language I could pick up. I don’t know if my French helped, but I retained a surprising amount of vocabulary during my time there.
Back in old town Kaleiçi, I visited museums and historical sites. Antalya is incredibly rich in history, you just have to lean into it. I literally took a map and went to all the historical sites, it must have been a 7-hours long, but one thing I do on such tours is wear my swimsuit under my outfit so I could swim whenever I find a beach. Luckily, I found Mermerli Beach and swum there, had some great conversations with some locals while at it. The high salt content in the water did wonders for my skin. At that point, my face had reacted badly to all the cheese I’d been eating (lesson learned), but somehow the water helped clear it up. I spent time walking through shops, picking up silk pieces and Turkish cotton fabrics before heading to Kaş.
Kaş, Turkey.
At this point, one thing was clear, every city in Turkey has its own personality. Kaş reminded me so much of Italy. The vibe, the coastline, everything about it felt effortlessly beautiful. And the sea? Easily the best I experienced on the trip. That’s exactly why I saved my diving for Kaş. I spent my days beach-hopping, and because it was low season, it felt like I had entire beaches to myself.
On my first day, I introduced myself as “Abi” to the hotel concierge, What I didn’t realize was that it sounds like “Ağabey” in Turkish, which means “big brother.” The hotel owner thought I was calling him that. We laughed about it later, and I told him, “Well, you’re my big brother now.” And he really leaned into that role. He looked after me the entire time, recommendations, check-ins, everything. One of the staff even gave me a bike ride to one of the most exclusive beaches. I was genuinely spoiled.
The food was also.. Incredible. After days of mostly traditional Turkish (very lamb-heavy) meals, it was refreshing to switch things up with Italian and seafood. Two standout spots: Gossi Ristorante and Voyn Meyhane. The only downside was that my days ended around 5 PM because I had to switch into EST work mode. But I made the most of every morning and afternoon. I spent three days in Kaş, two days diving and one day in Kekova.
And I got incredibly lucky. Because it was low season, my dive master ended up taking just me out. A completely personalised experience. The water was stunning. No coral reefs like the GBR, but there was still so much to see, turtles, shipwrecks, and even a C-47 Dakota, which I had always wanted to see. I even swam inside it. That experience was GOLD!
Most mornings, I’d wake up early to watch the sunrise. My view was a full sea stretch, with a lighthouse sitting right behind where the sun rose. I used that time to just sit, reflect, and meditate. One thing became very clear to me during those moments that God is a God of abundance. Looking at the ocean, the mountains, and the sun perfectly placed between them, it felt almost disrespectful to ask for small things. That was my cue to think bigger. Pray bigger. I don’t do small anyway. Evenings were slower, wine, good food, sunset and preparing for a full workday ahead.
Kekova, Turkey.
On day three, I planned a trip to Kekova, the sunken city. Instead of packing and moving, I opted for a day trip that brought me back to Kaş. At that point, my entire life was in that suitcase, and I was tired of dragging it around.
Kekova is an ancient Lycian settlement that was submerged by earthquakes in the 2nd century. We left Kaş at 7 AM, drove about an hour to the dock, and then took a 2–3 hour boat ride. Along the way, we stopped for swims, and of course, I got in. The water was the most beautiful shade of turquoise. By then, I was fully comfortable in both the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. When we arrived, the guide explained the history, how residents had to abandon their homes and relocate to Kaleköy. There was something sobering about it. We walked through the ruins, and while others went kayaking, I opted out as I had no interest in being a third wheel or attempting to row solo. Instead, I took it all in.
Lunch on the boat was hands down the best I’ve ever had on a tour, fresh fish, grilled vegetables, rice. So good! After that, we sailed toward the castle. I spent most of that time lying at the front of the boat, soaking in the sun. At one point, the guide even asked if he could capture a drone video of me, I didn’t care, it was too beautiful a day to say no. By the time we reached the castle, I was exhausted. I had some homemade ice cream, did a bit more exploring, and we headed back. We made it back just in time for my workday. And the sunsets, so perfect! Every single one. It became something I genuinely looked forward to during the first hour of work.
Kemer, Turkey.
My “big brother” wasn’t there to see me off, but he left me the sweetest message: “ I'm sorry I wasn't here to bid you goodbye but just know that you will always have a big brother in Turkey.” I was almost teary when I read it, moments like that always get to me.
I arrived in Kemer, and the weather immediately turned. It was non-stop rain. Thankfully, I only had one full day there. I did visit a beach club, but it was quiet. No parties, no energy, nothing like I had imagined. Kemer was supposed to be my final stop to really let loose before heading back. If I had known, I probably would have stayed longer in Kaleiçi. But, as always, I stayed positive. I used the day to rest, catch up with friends I hadn’t spoken to in months, and mentally prepare for the week ahead.
And just like that, it was time for Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How I lived almost 10 years in the Middle East and never visited Saudi Arabia is still beyond me. This trip was largely driven by curiosity around Vision 2030. I had heard so much about it, especially in the tech space, and I wanted to experience it firsthand, part professional exploration, part personal.
At the airport lounge, I finished almost a bottle of wine before boarding, fully aware I was heading into a one-month drought. It’s not even about the alcohol, but the freedom to choose.
I arrived in Riyadh early morning. My room wasn’t ready yet, but I was welcomed with dates and Arabic tea, small gestures that define Middle Eastern hospitality. I responded to emails while waiting, then finally checked in and slept like a log. If not for my 5 PM alarm, I would have missed an entire workday. I ended up staying in Riyadh for almost three weeks, working out of KAFD during the day and scheduling meetings along the way. I also made time to explore Diriyah, At-Turaif, and Boulevard World, mostly on Saturday evenings.
A friend connected me with someone local who took me to Diriyah and even treated me to dinner. One thing that stood out in Saudi was that people were polite, warm, and incredibly hospitable. I also loved how many locals also operate as Uber drivers, it made interactions feel more genuine. And I also loved the designer " hot chocolate". I’m talking Ralph Lauren, Maison Assouline, Dolce & Gabbana. I looked forward to that every single time. The food was also incredible, and I tried to stay relatively healthy, fresh juices daily, just to keep my immunity up.
Riyadh was good to me, but three weeks felt long. That said, after months of constant movement, I probably needed it.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
After navigating the chaos at Jeddah airport due to pilgrim season, I finally arrived at my hotel by the Corniche. I fell in love instantly. As much as I’m a city girl, there’s something about being by the sea that just feels right to me. And Jeddah had that and incredible food. My favourite spots were Aleia and Myazu. Absolutely divine cuisine paired with fresh orange juice, because, well… Saudi. I did try the non alcoholic wine but it tasted like overpriced depression.
While in Jeddah, I did something completely spontaneous, Umrah!
I had always thought about it casually, but I never actually planned to do it. So one day, during a ride with an Uber driver, I was on my way back to the hotel from dinner, I casually asked him how far Mecca was and what he thought I should do if I wanted to go. He got so excited, Mashallah was the word! he literally called his mother.
Apparently, if I was going to do Umrah, I should have made my intention before arriving in Jeddah, which meant I technically couldn’t proceed. But I don’t usually take no for an answer. So I asked him to find out where the nearest miqat was, the place where the intention must be made. I had actually heard the captain announce it on my flight into Jeddah, but I had no idea what it meant at the time… I was half asleep.
We found out the closest miqat was about an hour’s drive away. So I booked him for the trip. The plan was simple, on the day I chose, he would take me to the miqat, and from there, I would find my way to Mecca. It felt spontaneous but also right. I already have the appropriate breathable clothing I needed for the ritual. The day finally came, and we left at 4:30 AM. The agreement was that he would drop me off, and I would continue on my own. But when he arrived, he was already dressed in his Umrah attire.I asked him why. He said, “I will take you to Mecca and do the Umrah with you.”
If we weren’t in Saudi, I would have hugged him so tightly, but I quickly held myself back before he thought I was a complete lunatic. I thanked him, genuinely and off we went to the miqat where I made my intentions, had a fresh shower and wore my Umrah attire. Before that day, I had read everything I could about the rituals, the dos and don’ts, basically, everything I needed to know and the reason behind the ritual. But having him there on my first attempt made all the difference. I honestly think God had everything to do with that, because I might have struggled on my own. The crowd alone could have sent me into a panic. We did all the rituals together as he promised and when I made simple mistakes he was quick to point it out and even drove me back to my hotel, the only thing I didn't participate in was having an ice cream, he had told me that whenever he performed Umrah, at the end he and his friends would always have an ice cream. But, I couldn't as I was exhausted and I was still battling from the acne on my face from the endless cheese I had in Turkey, having dairy might make it worse. Thankfully, he did not insist.
I had booked two nights in Mecca, just to give myself a chance to correct anything if I made mistakes during the ritual. One thing I didn’t expect, though, was how difficult it would be to find healthy food in Mecca. I was basically surviving on orange juice, smoothies, and maybe one proper meal a day. But without going into too much detail, my Uber driver, Yazid, did the entire Umrah with me before leaving me there and heading back.
I randomly think about that day sometimes, and I can tell you, good people exist. You just have to be willing to give people a chance. That experience will stay with me forever. Two days later, I returned to Jeddah, and it was time to start preparing for New Year’s in Dubai.
I had booked a hotel with a view of the Burj, and my Dubai friends had invited me to a house party in Al Barari. A few days after the New Year, I would be heading to Nigeria for my mum’s birthday, which would officially bring my three-month trip to an end.
And honestly, I knew it was time to go home when, on New Year’s Day, I found myself shopping for bed linens at the "The White Company.
I had missed my bed so much.
