It’s one thing to write a post as soon as you get back from a life-changing, completely eye opening vacation/experience/location/all above, it’s another to write a ‘review’ 4 months later.
When I got back from my trip to the Kingdom of Jordan with Columbia Sportswear, I could not put into words the things I saw, felt, experienced, and lived. I failed to do, what I claim to do best. But can you blame me?
It was more than anything I could have imagined. Outside of Mexican resort towns, I had never left the U.S. Including Mexico, I had never left North America. I grew up, went to college, and live in areas that are predominantly white. As such, the religion is mostly Christianity as well. Despite those things, I still consider myself a fairly cultured individual and keep up on world affairs. However, reading BBC or Al Jazeera from my couch, living near the cultural hub of Minneapolis, MN for 6 years, still did not prepare me for a first hand experience.
I was so blown away by the generosity and joy the people of Jordan display every day that I wrote a post while we were still on the trip:
The Secrecy of #TryingStuff with Columbia
On top of all the new personal experiences, there’s also the ever-present height of anticipation. When you try stuff with Columbia Sportswear, you have no idea of what comes next. I’m paraphrasing a little bit, but this is how we were told to prepare for the entire trip:
Here’s some gear and clothing; pack it in this duffle; bring this bag; here’s your plane tickets; show up to the airport on time. See you in Jordan.
It didn’t get much better once we arrived. We had no idea what was going on from day to day until dinner the previous day or breakfast the day of. And then it was basically, “we may or may not be getting wet. You may or may not want board shorts. You may or may not want your PowerDrains.” Or, “Today might be dry. You should consider the regular shoes.”
Can you imagine? All the anticipation, all the treasures Jordan has to offer, and all you can do is sit and wonder? We were never disappointed when we’d arrive at a destination. Every single day was one jaw dropping experience after another.
And I think this is why keeping everything a secret is so important and so awesome. It prevents you from looking past one day’s experience and onto the next. It forces you to live in the moment and take everything in. Because you have no idea what comes next, there’s no need to occupy your mind with anything else.
Admittedly (and very obviously if you read my site), I’m not a huge fan of hiking. I mean, I’ll do it, especially when we’re hiking through The Lost City of Petra, one of the Wonders of the World, with 11 of my best friends in the world, but it’s still not something I’d be like, “hey, let’s go to Jordan so we can go hiking!” If I knew we were going to the Red Sea the day after hiking in Petra, I can guarantee I’d be thinking about the sea instead of enjoying my time learning about the ancient history of Petra.
Without knowing that, without knowing anything, you truly get to live the moment.
Our Jordanian Guide: Mohammad
It’s one thing to get on a tour bus and listen to someone that has done the same tours over and over and over again to a bunch of senior citizens going to the local casino, it’s another to have someone that appears rejuvenated every single day he comes to work. There was never a time I didn’t see a smile on this guy’s face. If there wasn’t a smile, it’s probably because he was building up to the punchline of a joke.
There was no history question he couldn’t answer, and there was never anything we couldn’t do (inside the laws, of course). If there was something we wanted, chances were good, Mohammad could make it happen.
One of my favorite memories of the trip, and possibly the best day of the trip (possibly) was the last full one. Justin and I were giving interviews and the rest of the group went swimming up a slot canyon. We had to stay back so Mohammad took the two of us and Jeff (a badass slow-mo cameraman) up to the waterfall himself. I can’t remember the last time I saw 3 grown adults acting liking such children. We were jumping, splashing, swimming, smiling, and laughing for the entire trip up the canyon. It was a bittersweet end to the entire trip. Without him, who knows if it would have turned out the same.
I know you’ve heard me talk about this before, after I got back from Park City for the original Season 4 #OmniTen trip, and those feelings only strengthened. I absolutely loved getting to know better the nine other people with me.
When we were in Park City, it was a zoo. There were 30-something of us running around, partying, and acting like morons. It was really hard to spend quality time with people to get to know them. I was there a couple of days earlier with my Season 4 posse so I did know Seth, Beth, and Andrew already when we got to the airport in Chicago. Heather and I live close to each other and have hung out on other Colorado trips so this gave me the opportunity to bond with Jon, Casey, Erika, Caleb, and Justin.
Of course, I not only extend this designation to all #OmniTen, but also to all of the Columbia people that made this happen like Mark, Daniel, Scott, and the rest of their teams that we haven’t met.
And there’s new people too! The film crew that followed us around tirelessly easily put in double or triple the miles and double or triple the hours. These guys weren’t just faceless film crew, walking around like android props, but actual, real people with stories of their own. I know, right?! It was a blast hanging out and getting to know all of them.
Four Months Later…
If you remember, I started this post talking about not being able to aptly describe the experience as soon as I got back. And here’s why I think a ‘review’ 4 months later might have even more value than the knee-jerk reaction:
After the initial exuberance wears off, after you forget the tiny little details, after you forget about the exact daily itinerary, what’s left?
What’s left is what truly stuck with you. What’s left is the important stuff. What’s left are the things that you’re going to tell people for the rest of your life.
Here’s what’s left for me:
Everything I mentioned above: the Jordanian people, our guide, the #OmniFamily, our film crew.
I remember seeing the sun rise over Amman.
I remember seeing Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan from a single point in the Red Sea.
I remember sleeping under the stars at Wadi Rum.
I remember walking into the most breathtaking and picturesque hotel I’ve ever seen or been in, and it was 100% off the grid. Feynan Ecolodge:
I remember floating in the Dead Sea.
I remember spectacular slot canyons and more nature than I had ever expected.
I remember giant burial tombs for kings and MASSIVE stone architecture in Petra.
This trip will forever hold a place in my heart. Right before we left, I put up a Facebook status: “I may never return from this.” And I don’t think I have. Since we’ve gotten back, I’ve focused my time around freelancing. I’ve focused my money around #VanLife. I’ve took control of my life, and it’s time to start living it to the fullest. This trip provided the insight and motivation to make these things happen. I was right. There is no coming back.
Thank you, Columbia Sportswear, and thank you, everyone in the Kingdom of Jordan.