03/06/2026
4 days later and I’m finally getting acclimated back to life in the U.S. after traveling through Israel and Jordan while the Middle East was at war.
It’s strange trying to explain what it was like because, in many ways, life there was still business as usual. People were working, shopping, eating, and going about their daily routines. The difference was hearing sirens go off, seeing missiles in the sky near The Dead Sea, hearing fighter jets fly over my tent in Wadi Rum desert and navigating the uncertainty of airspace suddenly being closed.
One thing this experience reminded me of is how different reality on the ground can be from what we see in the media. In the age of AI and nonstop news cycles, fear can spread quickly and sometimes create a picture that feels bigger than the moment itself.
One of the most unforgettable parts of this journey was literally crossing the border from Israel to Egypt on foot and taking a 12 hour bus ride to Cairo. It felt like something out of a movie—unexpected, intense, and definitely an adventure I will never forget.
Through it all, the company I traveled with handled the logistics flawlessly. Every change, every adjustment, every safety measure was coordinated with professionalism and care.
As a travel agent, that meant everything to me. Experiences like this reinforce how important it is for me to thoroughly vet the companies I work with. My clients trust me with their travel experiences and their safety, and I take that responsibility seriously. I have to be able to stand behind the partners I recommend.
Although my trip was cut short, I’m still incredibly grateful for the experience I did have. I crossed two new countries off my bucket list and had the opportunity to visit Petra—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. That alone made the journey unforgettable.
Travel has a way of reminding you just how big and resilient the world is. And despite everything that happened, this experience hasn’t discouraged me from traveling. If anything, it has deepened my appreciation for seeing places for myself and helping others do the same.
I still have a lot of content to post and will do so soon.
Until the next adventure…
