Buckle Up, Buttercup! Wells Jones & The Mind-Blowing World of 2005 Middle East Adventure!

Episode #0050

Woah, hold on a second, everyone! If you haven't listened to my latest chat with the absolutely incredible Wells Jones, then you seriously need to hit pause on whatever you're doing and go give it a listen. My mind is still buzzing, honestly! We dove deep into his epic journey through the Middle East in 2005/2006, following T.E. Lawrence's path, and let me tell you, it was way more than just a historical trek. It was a masterclass in preparation, resilience, and seeing humanity up close, even amidst conflict.

I mean, where do I even begin? Wells is just one of those people who radiates pure, unadulterated passion for life and learning. Every time we talk, I walk away feeling like I've just had a shot of pure inspiration.

Preparation: More Than Just Packing a Suitcase!

You hear "eight months of preparation," and you think, "Okay, a lot of planning, maybe some fitness training." *Pfft*. My guest Wells was talking about something else entirely! We're not talking about figuring out your flight to London here. He and his partner, Miles, were heading into an area where Americans just *weren't* going in 2005, right after 9/11. The air was thick with tension, and the political landscape was, well, *complex*.

What did that preparation actually entail? Oh, just things like getting your will in order! Seriously! When Wells mentioned their wives saying, "Get your will together," my jaw practically hit the floor. Who thinks of that for a "trip"? That's when you realize this wasn't just a holiday; it was a serious undertaking. And then, because you have a will, you need insurance. Not just *any* insurance, though we're talking international carriers that required conflict and risk assessment management training! Jamie Lothar Pinkerton, appointed by the Queen of England herself to protect Prince Harry and Prince William, was their guy. Kidnap and ransom scenarios? That's the civilian crash course they got. It's wild! You think you're going on an adventure, and suddenly you're doing role-play on how to behave if you're kidnapped. Talk about a reality check!

Back When 'Smart' Phones Were Flip Phones & Satellite Phones Were Weapons!

This part absolutely blew my mind, probably because I'm a bit of an IT guy at heart. Wells and Miles did this trip in 2005/2006. Think about that for a second. We're talking *before* iPhones, before widespread Wi-Fi, before Booking.com or ubiquitous roaming. My mind immediately went to, "How did they even plan this? What was their safety scenario?!"

Wells painted such a vivid picture of the tech they relied on. Remember the sleek Motorola Razr flip phones? That was high-tech back then! But for actual communication in the desert, they needed a satellite phone. And not the tiny ones we imagine today – Wells described it as practically a weapon, a "piece of machinery" that was 10 inches long! My first thought: "A phone and a weapon!"

But it wasn't just phones. They needed to write daily dispatches, observations from their journey. Enter the Panasonic Toughbook which, by the way, I immediately Googled and was absolutely impressed by! State-of-the-art, military-grade, dropped-from-10-feet, sand-proof laptops. And how to charge it? The latest solar panels, literally like four pieces of paper that folded out. Phenomenal!

Then came the internet – or lack thereof. Wi-Fi was still a distant dream in the Saudi desert. So they had a BGAN: Broadband Global Area Network. I'm telling you, I'm passionate about the internet, and I had *never* heard of this! Wells opened up a whole new world for me just describing their gear. This primitive, 20-year-old technology was cutting-edge then, enabling them to upload their stories from the middle of nowhere.

And let's not forget the Suunto X9i watch – basically the first smartwatch, triangulating their position with satellites. Wells described this arsenal of tech and how it made them feel "empowered." And honestly, I get it. To have that level of independence, knowing you can connect, you can be found, you can document it must have been an incredible feeling of control in an otherwise unpredictable environment.

Crossing Borders & Uncrossing Legs (Literally!)

Imagine the scene at border crossings with all this new, alien tech. Wells said they raised "exclamation mark after exclamation mark" at every single checkpoint! I can only imagine. "What is this 406 megahertz device?" "It's a Personal Locator Beacon!" They must have looked like characters straight out of a spy novel.

But here's the kicker: despite the conflict and the ongoing war, what stood out to Wells was the reaction to their American passports. Not hostility, but often *contrition*. People would literally say, "I am so sorry about 9/11. We are not all terrorists." Even His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Faisal said it after inviting them to dinner. It's a powerful moment that really makes you think about perceptions versus reality.

Speaking of cultural differences, Wells shared this hilarious anecdote from his book, "A Line in the Sand." While sitting in a *Majlis* (a traditional gathering) with Bedouins, Miles, tired from the journey, crossed his legs. And Wells's guide, Osama, discretely told him to uncross them! "Man does not cross his legs," he was told. Such a small thing, but so deeply ingrained in culture. It reminds you how much there is to learn when you step outside your comfort zone. And then there was the goat intestine story… I mean, who willingly eats goat intestine to show respect? Wells did! Pure dedication to immersion, even if it tasted like "lizard shit!" Hahaha.

The Dead Sea Tank & The Heartbreak of 9/11

The journey wasn't without its intense moments. Wells recounted a genuinely terrifying experience at a checkpoint along the Dead Sea in Jordan. A tank, hidden by a truck, suddenly aimed its barrel right at their little car. That visual... it gave me chills just hearing about it. Wells asked Miles if he saw it, and the simple "yes" from the backseat confirmed the shared, unspoken terror.

But the most emotionally resonant moment, both in our conversation and in Wells's book, revolved around a Palestinian driver named Mahmoud (in the book) and, in real life, a Saudi friend named Ali. Mahmoud’s visceral hatred for Israel, seen in his silent rage as he passed the tank, was a stark reminder of the deep-seated historical conflicts.

Then there was Ali, who, after getting incredibly drunk (a huge taboo in Saudi Arabia), broke down sobbing, confessing that two of the 9/11 terrorists were from his own village. "I am so sorry. They are part of a different kind of religion. They got pulled in." My God, the intensity of that! He was practically begging for forgiveness, holding onto Wells, saying, "They take you!" if Wells went into town alone. It wasn't about politics or blame; it was raw, human grief and fear.

This led us down a path I often find myself on: the endless cycle of hatred. I remember saying, "It's what we see everywhere... We are fighting against each other for fights that are not ours." And the ease with which we can spread hate online now, compared to 2005? It's terrifying. Back then, Mahmoud's hatred was local, contained. Now, it's broadcast instantly, fueling a fire that seems to consume humanity.

Beyond the Headlines: The Power of Human Connection & Storytelling

Wells's approach to travel and understanding is something I deeply admire. He wasn't there to prove a point or preach an opinion. He went "to see with our own eyes," to "just be human. Breathe. Eat with people. Listen. Ask questions. Observe." It's about full immersion, not judgment.

His mentor, Jamie, summed it up perfectly with a single word that crosses all cultures: "graciousness." You want something, you give something, be gracious. It’s a universal language, far more impactful than love, according to Jamie. It's about sitting in grace, being alert, truly *seeing* people.

And that's where his book, "A Line in the Sand" (which I've linked in the show notes, and you absolutely *must* read!), comes in. Wells explained that after the horrors of October 7th, he and Miles felt a "call to action" to finish the book. They wanted to make history accessible, even captivating. By blending historical fiction with actual events, incorporating a time-travel element, they've created something truly unique. As I told Wells, I think he's found a brilliant solution to telling history – making it engaging so people *actually* listen and learn. We need that now more than ever, to break the cycle of history repeating itself.

A Message from a Life Lived Fully

I can't tell you how impressed I am by Wells. His drive, his openness, his insatiable curiosity – it's infectious. He shared a powerful lesson from his mother when he was 15 and wanted to run away: "You have no business setting one foot forward until you learn to deal with where you are right now... See the beauty of where you are in the moment, even with the challenges."

That philosophy, "adapt to where you are, fully engage, see what's around you," has clearly guided his incredible life. His message for the next generation of adventurers and storytellers? "Curiosity, adapting, and trust in your own thought." In a world saturated with social media telling us what to buy, what to think, and who to be, Wells reminds us that we have control over one thing: our thinking. And then? Take action. "Don't sit. Just move. Don't sit. Enough."

Man, I wish I'd met him earlier in my life! But it's never too late to learn, to grow, and to find new adventures. Wells Jones is living proof that life doesn't stop, and the desire to learn, to be open, and to engage fully with the world is a powerful, unending force.

Go check out the episode, grab a copy of "A Line in the Sand," and tell me what you think! I'm genuinely curious to hear your takeaways from Wells's incredible story.

Until next time, keep exploring, keep listening, and keep moving!

Warmly,

Your Host, Paul.

🎙️ Listen to the full conversation on Whereabouts Tales — available on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.