Ex Nihilo

Heading to the Middle East

This Friday I am embarking on a 2-3 month trip to the Middle East – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular. I am very excited. I’ve never had the opportunity to make extensive travels abroad, and I have had little exposure to Middle Eastern culture. While I will be based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (along the Red Sea near Mecca), I have plans to visit Egypt and the United Arab Emirates; and I may have the opportunity to make weekend excursions into other neighboring locales as well.

This has two implications. First, if we’re friends, it will be slightly harder to contact me. I am still available via email, and I will be checking all my current voicemail numbers, etc. I’ll also be getting a Dubai number while I’m in the area.

Second, in order to keep this site devoted to virtue (and other soon or not soon-to-be-named topics), I am creating a new page on this blog entitled (creatively), Travel ex nihilo where I will post ruminations on my travels throughout the Middle East and elsewhere and occasional pictures. These posts will be updated with the same (in)frequency as the main page, and will be more personal in nature. Additionally, I may post quasi-travel related thoughts here on the main page.

That’s all for now. Wish me luck (I am still awaiting approval for my visa); and check back at Travel ex nihilo for my Middle Eastern updates.

Moving to D.C.

To all who are interested, this is my last post before moving to Washington, D.C. The travel plan is for me to drive from Columbus to Greenville tomorrow (after packing of course); stay with my friend John for an evening; and then complete my trip to Washington Saturday. I am lucky that I-85 and I-95 will take me all the way there out of Atlanta, but it will be a perilously boring drive nonetheless. I hope to be back online next week!

Andrew F. Wood's "Motel Americana"

If you are into traveling the states on a relatively light budget Professor Andrew Wood's site Motel Americana and his accompanying book Motel America might be for you. Dr. Wood is an alumnus of the Berry College Forensics Team, but, all personal bias aside (I was never on a team with him), his newest compilation is quite interesting. I haven't bought the book yet, but the site is a blast. It allows you to look up his entry for any state in the country (they are all there). When I checked out Georgia, I was surprised to find my hometown of Columbus, Georgia listed for a hotel with a rather unique candle adorning its sign. My favorite entry thus far has been California, where Dr. Wood found a motel where the rooms are shaped like wigwams--who knew? I imagine if I travel to that area of the state, at least a one night stay might be warranted.

Anyway, the site is a lot of fun. Check it out.

Photos

So, you should definitely check out the photos I loaded online at the D.C. link under My Blogs. They are just a few from this summer I was lucky enough to get online. Enjoy!