Welcome to a special milestone episode of the Travel Media Lab podcast, where we celebrate our 100th journey together! Today, we embark on a captivating adventure to the heart of Wadi Rum Desert in Southern Jordan with Ahmad Mara'yeh, a Bedouin and co-founder of Rum Planet Camp. Wadi Rum isn't just a picturesque landscape; it's a realm where nature's grandeur converges with the warmth and authenticity of its people. Ahmad shares why understanding the local culture and connecting with its inhabitants is as vital as experiencing its breathtaking vistas. We also touch on the impact of tourism on Wadi Rum and how Ahmad has incorporated sustainable practices into his family’s camp. You’ll also hear about his experience meeting Matt Damon in this remarkable setting! As we celebrate our 100th episode, we invite you to participate in our special week-long celebration. Share your review of our podcast on Apple Podcasts or leave a rating on Spotify, and you could win a 20-minute coffee conversation with me. Let's connect over video and discuss your interests, whether it's travel, storytelling, or anything else that sparks your curiosity. Remember to submit your review by Wednesday, October 11th, and stay tuned for the winner announcement on Thursday, October 12th. Get full show notes and more information at: https://travelmedialab.co/podcast/100 Want to know how to publish your travel stories? Download my free guide in which I share with you the 10 steps to take now to get your work out into the world. For more BTS of this podcast follow @travelmedialab Need support and accountability? Join our Facebook group! Please head over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE to the show. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with others on social and don’t forget to tag us @travelmedialab! And show us some love, if you have a minute, by rating Travel Media Lab or leaving us a review wherever you listen. You’ll be helping us to bend the arc of algorithms towards our community — thank you! Travel Media Lab with Yulia Denisyuk is a podcast about people and places that make our world a fascinating place to be. Each week, we bring you stories from places near and far and sit down with the world’s most exciting travelers, journalists, creators, and people working in the travel space. Hosted by Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer working with National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC Travel, and more.  Learn more about Travel Media Lab at travelmedialab.co. Mentioned in this episode: Visit Jordan This episode and the rest of this season are brought to you by Visit Jordan. Jordan is a beautiful country in the Middle East that has something for everyone: in a relatively small area, it packs diverse landscapes like the Mediterranean forests of Ajloun, deep canyons in Wadi Dana, the Mars-like desert of Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Let Jordan be your host for your Middle Eastern adventures. Go to Visit Jordan to learn more. Visit Jordan