Today's Edition
TAARIQ HALIM (ABU DHABI)
What started out as an expedition across the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, has turned into a lesson in humanity and humility for an American adventurer.
Mike Metzger, who found his calling as a “nomadic camel-wandering Bedouin”, set out on “The Hope Voyage” from the UAE on New Year’s Day.
The Hope Voyage is an epic 2,200km journey by foot and camel, starting in the Al Faya Village, Abu Dhabi, winding through the deserts and valleys of Oman, and finishing in the village of Tarim in Wadi Hadhramaut, Yemen.
The mission: to help a country devastated by a decade-long civil war.
Aletihad made contact with Metzger, three weeks into his trek, just a few days after crossing the UAE-Oman border.
It has largely been a solo effort for Metzger, whose support team has only joined him on short stretches of the route.
The journey has not been without its challenges, even for a seasoned globetrotter like Metzger, who has criss-crossed the UAE three times before on camelback.
Internet connectivity is limited to a few hours during the chilly desert nights, when his hands are too “frozen” to use his cellphone.
As you make your way through Oman, tracing your steps back to the start, how has the voyage been so far?
I never thought I would say this, but the journey has been just about as unpredictable as it gets. Nothing of the initial itinerary went to plan and I’ve been having to improvise daily just to keep the journey moving. The UAE segment was riddled with problems, yet we have an incredible voyage support team.
Tell us about some of the highlights and challenges of the journey.
The greatest highlight throughout the journey, hands down, has been the ceaseless support from the local people we pass along the way. Never have I or my team ever witnessed in years in the UAE the level of generosity that we experience from communities we passed by foot and camel.
Another highlight was getting to cook over an open fire, making fresh tea and breaking bread with fellow travellers over sandy food and sleeping under the stars.
It’s been incredible, the support for our humanitarian projects.
The challenges have been extraordinary, to say the least. First and foremost, the camel. Sadly, the camels were not adequate at all for travel. No experience, terribly behaved, even the semi-good camel we had wouldn’t drink water and we had to force-feed him water daily, otherwise, he would not move. He also nearly caused 10 car accidents as he would freak out around roads or just park himself on a highway and not move.
The quantity of cargo was a serious challenge as we couldn’t fit it all on the camel. When we tried, the camel sacks would rip and, in the end, everyone had to carry most of their own gear.
We encountered a million fences, walls and barriers, especially. It was crazy to witness endless fences that go for kilometres in the middle of the desert.
What has the journey taught you so far?
The journey has taught me a greater appreciation for wild nature. That patience when undergoing such a massive crossing is a necessity. Being prepared for literally anything. After day 10, I found out that my main companion and my Oman team suddenly dropped out. So psychologically, I had to prepare myself to do this campaign solo, as insurance for other travellers dropping out for various reasons.
The journey also has taught me to put faith in the greater good of humanity. When you’re doing something for humanity, humanity suddenly appears where you least expect it.
The Hope Voyage will be an adventure I will never forget. The kindness of the local people will certainly have a lifelong impact.
Do you have a message for your supporters and our readers?
The Hope Voyage is a campaign to highlight how everyday people like you and me can make a real impact on everyday people in countries in need. The Hope Voyage is a traditional camel journey, yet with a purpose to support everyday Yemenis. Walking adventurers are welcome to join. The trip is expected to take another 80 days until reaching our destination of Tarim, Yemen.
A big shout-out to Gloria Brown from the Abu Dhabi Homeschoolers Association, Nicole and Nurhidayati from the UAE Wildschoolers, Cory and Jane from Distant Imagery, Chris from ECC Adventurers and my parents Danny and Nancy for supporting me.
Finally, a very big shout of gratitude to Mustafa Al Wahabi, Hesham Ahmed Al Hadad and Saleh Bakir Merbi. Without you, The Hope Voyage would never have happened. You are the real heroes of The Hope Voyage.Hesham Ahmed Al Hadad, director of the Hope Voyage water wells project in Zamakh, Yemen, said, “The free medical centre in Wadi Hadhramaut is constructed and established, staff have been deployed. It is operational, people are coming for treatment,” he said.
Two freshwater wells will be drilled for rural and Bedouin communities in and around Zamakh. One well is 80% complete.
The free National Livestock Distribution Programme teaches livestock breeding to supplement the income of families across the country.
