SIR RICHARD BURTON, Pilgrimage to Medina and Mecca

[@Robert-A-R]

Sir Richard Burton was one of a kind. Thanks for posting this 🙏🏻

[@kieranjohnston7550]

Fascinating to hear about the tremendous difficulties and dangers back in those days. I performed the haj in 2008. There are no more dangers (except trampling and fires) and most of the difficulties have been eased. The qaaba is now surrounded by luxury hotels, and the distance between Medina and Mecca is covered by a high speed train. At the time we were there we made the trip in rickety buses and you could smell and feel the desert, unlike on the enclosed train. I will never forget the masses of people from everywhere, and the splendour of the prophet’s mosque in Medina, and the back streets and alleys of Mecca which probably are there no more. Thanks for posting this vivid postcard from the past.

[@revolutionaryhamburger]

Later on, Sir Richard Burton went on to marry Elizabeth Taylor and play a Brit in Hollywood movie shows.