Mina, we have arrived! Hitting the road out of Mecca just before dawn was the plan, but organising a group big enough to fill a bus is not always the most efficient process, and we left several hours later than anticipated.
Despite an estimated 2.5 million people performing Hajj, we encountered rather light road traffic on the way.
Saudi Arabia has recently banned travelling to Mina by car, in an effort to prevent excessive road congestion. So for the Hujjaj (pilgrims), they must either get here by foot, or fill a group bus.
Eight kilometres, and less than an hour later, we were greeted by the sight of the sprawling tent city of Mina. Row upon row of white tents, punctuated by pockets of white-clad pilgrims.
Most Hajj pilgrims will have arrived in the country via Jeddah, and at least visited Mecca, but Mina (number 2 on the below map) is when and where it all kicks off. Its a steep, uphill climb from here, figuratively speaking.
![[QODLink]](http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2012/2/11/2012211114212966734_16.jpg "Yusuf Raza Gilani")
