Motorcycle Adventure through the Middle East

Jeff OKeefe Start Date: Mar 20, 2018 - End Date: Sep 19, 2018
  • Turkey
  • Iraq
  • Georgia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Afghanistan
  • Pakistan

My Travel Story

by: Jeff OKeefe Start Date: Mar 20, 2018 - End Date: Sep 19, 2018
Why would I want to travel to some of the most dangerous areas of the world? Because from my experience, the people are the warmest and most inviting one can find. It has long been a goal of mine, to bring these stories back here to Canada and the West, where I can hopefully convince people of this reality and maybe, just maybe, even make some sort of meaningful change. The areas I will be visiting range from prospering urban areas with western influence to poor, destitute villages struggling day by day to survive from both the harsh Himalayan and desert environments, and lethal harassment from groups such as the Taliban and ISIS. Having travelled to these regions of the world before, I am captivated by these people's tough character and overwhelming generosity. The people of Pakistan specifically, are generally the most hospitable of anywhere I have ever been and I would like to give back; how, I don't yet know, but I plan to find a way. So far, the extent of my giving back has been by simply putting a smile on people's faces, whether it be the kids at the store or the old lady selling me sweets. However, I am going to figure out a way to do more. Am I saying this trip is some sort of volunteer mission? No. The adventure and excitement of riding my motorcycle through this part of the world thrills me, but it is unfortunately, not a cheap way of travelling and as a Helitack wildland firefighter, my income isn't great, so here I am, on this website, asking for help.

Setting my sights on the future, it would be my dream to be able to continue past this trip by helping the people of these less prosperous parts of the world. A career in journalism, building on my degree in International Relations, bringing the stories of these areas to light? I don't know, but maybe this trip will not only help some of the people in these regions that need it, but also help me figure out how to do more in the future.

Thanks for listening and thank you for anything you can do to help.
  • Turkey
  • Iraq
  • Georgia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Afghanistan
  • Pakistan