7-Kerbala

Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim

As Kerbala approaches, the nerves set in. After walking for 2 to 3 days straight, the anticipation of meeting your beloved Imam builds with each step you take forward.  I am arriving at your place of rest, oh Aba Abdillah, broken, tired, aching and desperate to be by your side. Not much further until you see those

beautiful golden dome reflecting their splendor and majesty over the city of martyrs.
The footpath gets wider, busier.  The number of Iraqis serving the zuwaar increase as well, until finally you

enter the boundary of the city.  Stick together with your group, recite dua, ask for forgiveness often, help those having trouble walking and make sure you  know the address of where you are staying in Kerbala.
The further in you get, the busier it is, head toward your lodging so you can drop your luggage and have your ghusl.

Some guidance on the manners of ziarat can be found on http://duas.org/ziaratiraq.htm.
If you have your children with you, I suggest that you do not leave them with anyone but yourself or someone else who you know to be 100% responsible.  Try and visit the shrines at off peak times, non-salat times, etc.  If you wish to pray salaat inside the shrines, expect to leave at least 2 hours before the time, as the queue to enter are very long.  Again, do not carry anything in excess and expect to delay things by carrying bags or purses filled with belongings. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside and must be kept in amanat.
Expect walking from your lodging, depending on the location, to take double the time it normally would.  Try and go in groups and hold on to one another, especially sisters. The men are very respectful and try and stay on one side, however, there are times, when it is so crowded with zuwaar that men and women end up in close proximity of one another.
Try to avoid shopping in the bazaar during busy times, I recommend doing your shopping in Najaf rather than Kerbala but if you must, then try and do this at off peak times (not right before or after salaat times).
If you get lost make sure you as a group choose a point of reference to always go back to. Either back to the lodging or a clock tower or a certain shoe stall (remember the shoe stall number).

On Arbaeen, the phone service doesn't work due to the large number of users.  Keep that in mind when trying to coordinate meeting places or times.  If you are not with a group, it is quite difficult to leave Kerbala the day of Arbaeen and probably the day after. You basically have to walk at least 10 miles out and then find a mode of transport to take you to the nearest town with available cabs.  We rode on those large yellow freight trucks, which fill up with zuwaar within minutes.