Hey, what’s that blue button on the homepage and blog?

 

For the past few months, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to use a few pages in my passport and do what I love to do with something that I want to do: write and travel.

 

And what better way to break my passport in than to take a trip to the Middle East. Yes, that vacation spot in the sun soaked countries of “the middle” where history, religion, terrorism, modern women, child brides, camels and desert mix in a region we still know very little about.

 

If you click on the blue button—go ahead and do it—you’ll find a new blog and page I—with the support of my husband—have created to help raise funds and awareness about my trip. Is Chick Talk Dallas going away? Hells no. She’s just going on a little trip and some fellow Chicks will be standing in for guest spots and blogs.

 

As most of you know, travel is ex-pensive. We’re talking thousands here. One way flights to Yemen ain’t cheap. Neither is equipment—like blog radio tools and a sturdy lap top—or daily expenses. Thankfully, most of my living expenses will be covered because I’ll be staying with friends and acquaintances.  

 

One of the things I wanted to do was offer my trip--from mid to late May through late July early August-- as a way to raise awareness about women in the Middle East. In 2007, a group of women from the Middle East visited Dallas, and I acted as a cultural ambassador of sorts. Since that time, I’ve always wanted to go back and visit them in their countries—Jordan, Algeria, Yemen—as well as neighboring countries of Lebanon and Egypt. I’ve decided to keep my pledge and help raise funds (about $10,000) for a two plus month stay in the Middle East scoping out stories about women, for women.

 

On the new blog and web site, I’ve outlined what expenses I anticipate, ways to donate, and what you get if you do donate. It’s never easy asking people for money. But I’m working on a blogger/part time teacher and writer’s salary and the fact is, if I don’t ask people to dig a little deep, I won’t get to make a trip or tell people about all the fascinating things in the Middle East that you never see on TV.

 

Wouldn’t it be fun to know what it’s like “over there” from an American’s perspective?

 

Have you ever wanted to know what the Middle East is really like? What are women really like there "beneath the veil?" Hint. They don't all wear veils. They aren't all repressed. No, it’s not some liberal bleeding heart crap. But I’m not a Jesus Freak on a Jihad trying to save souls either.  This is not a mission trip or a vacation. I’m just a little American journalist with a few hundred bucks in her account trying to do what journalists are supposed to do: tell a story, and I need help buying plane tickets, better and more durable equipment for travel and expenses.

 

As the trip gets closer, I’ll post updates and blogs about who I’m visiting, where I’m going and interesting facts and questions. Take a moment to check out the site. And feel free to donate!

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