"Welcome to flight Malaysia Airlines to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The journey will take about two hours. Have a pleasant flight. Thank you."

It was in the middle of winter season. The airport was bustling with travellers that wanted to go out of Cairo as soon as possible. My friends and I were among them, after we went through everything to get from Zagaziq to Cairo.

During 2011, on January 25th, a revolution sparked in the heart of Cairo, causing millions of Egyptians came out to the streets and marched against the army and their own president. The protests caused many injuries to those involved, even the death toll increased. I was in the middle of my winter break when the situation risen. It was terrifying, but it was a memorable experience for me. 

We arrived in Jeddah with only few clothes and things that we were told to bring in our seven-kilograms restriction, each. It was ridiculous, really. Many of the students get to bring as much as they want but we have such little space to bring. 

Whatever.

We were thrilled to have arrived at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, to share our whirlwind, impromptu evacuation out of Egypt by Malaysian Government with our families and friends back home.

The first day that I arrived, I was brought into Tabung Haji Complex, near to Mecca. The original plan was to placed our group in Mecca because we were among the last group to arrived. But, there was some alteration and we went to THC for accommodation.

We were pulled into Jeddah for nine long days after we had left Cairo. What had been a group of strangers just a week and half prior had coalesced into a big family : thanks to long nights drinking coffee and roti canai at the stall downstairs, explorations around the complex together at nights, and meals, stories and contributions shared along the journey. 

I literally had six meals a day out of Al-Baik Fried Chicken, with some extras that was given to all of us. We had silly fights regarding water and bathrooms with our next door neighbour - some boys from Tanta and we had girl-nights at the dorm while everyone was sleeping.     

"I heard that we have to be in Jakarta before we get to go to Kuala Lumpur."

"Some of us have to transit in Colombo, as well as in Changi and Frankfurt."

I had some quiet time to stomach what had happened in the past weeks. Lots had happened, foreigners were forced to leave Egypt out of safety concern and many more. 

The nights proved generous as the sun dipped below the horizon just as we went downstairs to join some activities or just hanging out in the balcony, admiring the night sky. 

The excitement of going back home made us long for the warm, familiar environment that we accustomed to. It was with a heavy heart that every person that I know personally had left Jeddah for home.

I was grateful for being able to go home at that crucial time. I was grateful for the bonds that we formed, I was grateful for the friends that always had each other backs.

See you soon, Jakarta.