doberman pizza. a baha'i (bahai, bahá'í) blog.

I can scarcely believe it, but it’ll be only three days until I’m on my way to Haifa with my mother and sister for Baha’i pilgrimage. It’s a strange, almost unearthly feeling, like I’m half expecting to wake up at any moment from a wonderful dream. I’m really excited - I feel kinda like a little kid who’s going on the biggest adventure of his life. I know in cases like these I have to watch myself lest I get so distracted that I forget to take care of important last-minute arrangements (like filling out the online security precheck so I can get through the airports more quickly). My passport arrived this past Friday; plenty of time to spare. Last night, I read through all the pamphlets sent out by the Office of Pilgrimage to make sure I was familiar with all their guidance on travel; I’ve never travelled abroad, so this is really the new experience of all new experiences for me. I still haven’t packed, despite my sister’s loving reminders. I’m still wondering whether I’m really spiritually prepared for the journey, and going through my mental list of all the people I intend to pray for while I’m there. I have to make sure to persevere in reciting my daily obligatory prayers and reading and striving to understand the Writings of Baha’u'llah every morning and evening - a habit our tutor movement group worked together to establish during this past month.

That’s it for now. I’ll post one last time before we leave on Friday; I may opt to remain in communicado during the time of pilgrimage, or I may opt to make a quick post at some point during the trip to show signs of life. We’ll see how things go.