abtravels

On exiting the airport, there are many taxi drivers standing outside and a line of taxis in the car parks just in front. Immediately, you are bombarded by “Taxi? Taxi? Tourist?” I already had my transfers booked and from Whatsapp messages from the driver I understood he was already waiting outside. 

My driver’s name was Yousaf and I asked the drivers who were already waiting outside “Yousaf? Yousaf?” to which they still asked “Taxi? Taxi?” I informed them I already had a taxi booked at which point they shook their heads and said no and returned to looking at the exit for the next passenger. 

Yousaf messaged me on WhatsApp to say he was at parking area 4 which was just in front of me. There was a bus that was stopping in the road in front just before the parking lot and I couldn’t spot a driver or car. I tried repeatedly calling him on WhatsApp but it was really strange at first as the calls would ring and it seemed to get picked up but there was no sound, and next thing was a hang up sound. This happened repeatedly. 

After 5 minutes of walking around the parking lot I still couldn’t find him so I returned back to the entrance. A guy again asked me if I needed a taxi and I informed him that I had a taxi booked but I couldn’t find the driver. He seemed to understand this and asked for the driver’s number to which he typed on his phone and made a call. It was only a minute after this when he escorted me a very short distance to meet my driver Yousaf who was wearing a white shirt and trousers, more formal than what I was expecting. His car again was very close by in parking bay 4. It was just a few meters in from the exit to the airport so not right at the back. The car was a white Lexus automatic and at first I began putting my own luggage into the boot before Yousaf stopped me and motioned that he would do this, so that I could just enter the car.

Yousaf asked if I spoke Urdu to which I replied “Bengali”. Most taxi drivers speak Urdu whilst Bengali’s typically occupy roles such as Housekeepers or waiters I would discover. He offered me bottled water which I declined as I wasn’t going to drink on the drive. 

I adjusted my seat slightly to take it a bit back so as to give me more leg room. Beyond all this I didn’t speak much during the trip to Yousaf, but he did inform me that we had crossed into Makkah when we did. The total drive was about an hour and a half from Jeddah Airport to Emaar Elite Hotel in Makkah. I would have taken some pics out the window on the drive as I usually do on these trips but as it was dark this wasn’t really possible. 

On entering Makkah, there were no quiet roads. The cars, the lights and the noise even so early in the morning was a little overwhelming at first. It was just so on, like how I’d imagine a big city like New York or Vegas probably. Much more so than London that’s for sure.

Emaar Elite Hotel sits on a corner between Ajwad street and a side road that I still don’t know the name of as they call it Ajwad street as well. Ajwad street is a very commercial long road that directly leads to Masjid Al-Haram – The Grand Mosque of Makkah that houses the Ka’bah. 

On first impressions the hotel wasn’t a basic building like some hostels I’ve stayed at within Europe. It was tall, with a grand entrance and had lights streaming up the building. So very posh and flash. The lobby area was grand. There was a simple reception desk big enough for two people but the wider area had a well arranged seating area with white leather sofas and coffee tables in the centre of the arrangement. The floor was marble tiled and absolutely spotless in an oak wooden colour. All in all – very professional, modern and upper class. 

On checking in I approached the Arab receptionist guy at the front desk. As standard he was dressed formally with the arab head covering. This was now approaching 6 in the morning but even then it was not quiet. With the road behind me out the entrance and the lobby which had a few people, there was a lot of noise. I said I was checking in and at first I didn’t quite understand the guy’s response. It was a combination of his accent and not hearing him very well as I am a hearing aid user. 

I nonetheless retrieved my hotel voucher which I had printed out before I left the UK to which he replied “Passport”. This I got, and I handed him my passport that I had kept in my left front pocket since leaving the airport. 

It only took a few seconds before he handed my key card which was in a card and I assume gave me some information about the hotel. The only piece of information I got was that my room number was 1414 and the elevators were a short walk away to my left. As I turned around there was a concierge guy with a trolley waiting to greet me. 

He was much more pleasant and welcoming and greeted me with a smile and Assalamu-alaikum. He loaded my luggage onto the trolley, including asking for my cabin luggage which was a handy rucksack I had bought before my last holiday to Slovakia. It was a relief to finally take this off if I was really honest. Not that it was heavy but after a few hours it can start putting pressure on your back. Either that or I’m seriously getting old!

As we entered the lifts and the doors closed the concierge gentlemen who I imagine was in his mid to late 20’s asked if I was Pakistani. I replied “I’m Bengali” which seemed to light his face immediately to “Masha’Allah”” (As God willed – commonly used to express appreciation or gratefulness). 

He then asked if I was Dhakai or Syletti – as there are two dialects spoken in Bangladesh – Syletti (which me and my family speak) is still not technically recognised officially as a language in Bangladesh. I responded I spoke Syletti to which he replied “I’m Dhakai”. 

He spoke fluent English rather than Bengali which I was grateful for as I don’t fully understand Dhakai Bengali to be truthful and honest. As we opened the door to my room he asked for the room card which he inserted into the card reader for the room by the door which turned on all the electronics. 

He showed me the Saudi coffee that was included in my room as well as a selection of lovely-delicious dates which I miss even now. He informed me that buffet breakfast was between 6-10 am in the RE floor – short for restaurant. There was also a mezzanine area which was like a lounge for guests. I only went to this floor once. It was pretty empty, there was no one there and it was just a selection of dining tables. After confirming if I had everything or needed anything he left me to it after a brief “Enjoy your stay”.