Ali Shahalom

Rather, it continues to live inside me every single day.

After a long day at Arafat, we now move on to the next part of our Hajj called Muzdalifah.

Here, you sleep in an open field under the stars.

Sounds romantic, but it's chaotic.

Imagine having to sleep on the floor alongside two million people.

There are rocks on my back, a foot in my face and some dude snoring like he's sound checking Wembley Arena.

And to top it all off,

Ali, I can't find my sandals.

I didn't think I'd have to air tag footwear, but dad lost his shoes.

Luckily though, I listened to a telegram user who said, pack a pair of backup shoes just in case.

We found out what just in case means in real time.

Before we can attempt any sleep, we have to collect some pebbles for the next part of our hodge.

Spoiler alert, it's not a hot stone massage.

Once that's done, I jostle my way into some space on the floor with the aim of sleeping slash defending my family from the sandal snatcher.

As I'm about to drift off,

It's Fajr, dawn prayer time.

I'm so tired, man.

I can barely see.

But one look at my wife tells me we've got bigger problems.

Her face is whiter than my ikhram.