This journal is just to let everyone know that I won't be on deviant art for a while because I am going on Pilgrimage in about a week! For those of you who may not know, pilgrimage generally spans nine days and consists of visiting the Baha'i Holy Shrines, various other sites in the Holy Land (Israel) associated with the Central Figures of the Faith, and the Terraces and gardens on Mount Carmel. Anyone who would like more information about pilgrimage feel free to check out [link] and [link] or ask me any questions. Because my father is going to be consulting with some people there and will be giving some talks my family gets to stay for an extra few days. I have never been before (although several friends have gone recently), and am very excited to actually visit the physical centre of the Bahai Faith. We have been on the waiting list for about 8 years, we were actually supposed to do it last year, but were unable to so it was put off one year.
If anyone has any suggestions of things we should do while there (or to prepare) they would be appreciated.

Have any of you been on pilgrimage? Is so, how was it? Is anyone going soon?

There are several important events coming up soon in the Bahai Faith such as Ayyam-i-Ha, Naw Ruz, and the Fast. Ayyam-i-Ha is kind of like the Bahai version of Christmas, except five days long and not quite an emphasis on materialism. [link] has some information about Ayyam-i-Ha and [link] has some about all of the Bahai Holy days, etc. I will be missing what should have been my first real fast this year becasue of pilgrimage, I'm not sure whether to be happy or disappointed. And unfortunately, I'll be on a REALLY long airplane flight for a good part of Ayyam-i-Ha.

Does anyone have any exciting plans for these upcoming celebrations and the fast?

Anyways, I'll be on a bit for the next week and then be gone for atleast two weeks.