What Walking 1100 Miles Through the Middle East After 9/11 Was Actually Like…

What happens when two travelers leave everything familiar behind and cross the Middle East on foot and by camel, following a path few Westerners have ever taken? In this episode, Wells Jones shares the story of a 1,100 mile trek across Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria, retracing the route of T.E. Lawrence through deserts, border crossings, and remote communities, alongside his close friend Miles. What he expected to find was tension and danger. What he found instead was something far more complex, moments of uncertainty paired with unexpected kindness, generosity, and deep humanity. Wells talks about riding camels through Wadi Rum, navigating intense checkpoints, preparing for real risk, and learning how listening and humility opened doors that fear never could. This conversation explores long distance travel in politically complex regions, cultural respect, trust, and what happens when you let curiosity lead instead of assumptions. It is a powerful reminder that the world is often more human than we are taught to believe. Connect with Wells: Purchase His Book, A Line in the Sand Connect on Linkedin Kayak for a Cause Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS Middle East trek, 1,100 mile journey, desert expedition, camels, cultural understanding, T.E. Lawrence, long distance travel, humanity and travel, middle east travel