The first month the money dwindled so fast on little things like a pacifier and a surprise fee from the bank that I nearly ran out two weeks in.

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Adil and his wife, Umm Zainab (who is along for the trip as Adil's temper pacifier and ad-hoc sound girl) -- would head for Makkah, as they were doing the Hajj themselves as pilgrims and wanted to perform their "umrah" in the city before the crowds got in.

CNN: Preparing to cover The Hajj