Life Happens Outdoors: A Journey from the Familiar to the Unknown

There comes a moment in life when the familiar confines no longer offer comfort. When every street feels the same, and every face is a mirror reflecting a version of yourself you no longer recognise. In Qatar, where cultural norms tighten like a noose, I felt perpetually trapped—outcasted by the institutions meant to protect and the society that seemed to define belonging as something I could never fully grasp. In this cage of expectations, my soul yearned for escape, for a place where I could breathe freely, where I could walk into the unknown and find something—anything—beyond what I had known.

And so, I found myself in Cusco, on the brink of a journey with Life Happens Outdoors (LHO), ready to lose myself in the ancient trails of Peru.

Cusco: The City of Enchantment and Echoes

Cusco is a city of whispers—of history and belonging, of freedom and rebellion. Perched high in the Andes, its crisp air filled my lungs with the kind of sharp clarity I had forgotten existed. Wandering its cobbled streets, it felt as if every step was a meeting point between worlds—the ancient Incan and the Spanish colonial, the past and the present, the mundane and the sacred.

The Plaza de Armas, where lives intersect in moments of warmth and quiet familiarity, radiated a kind of energy I hadn’t expected. It was here, amidst the scents of empanadas and coca tea, that I met Rawan—the green-eyed bandit with a soul that seemed to mirror the city’s duality. She led with fierce purpose, a dynamo of strength who effortlessly moved between the commanding and the compassionate. With roots spanning Palestine, Kuwait, and Jordan, Rawan’s energy was like a thread stitching together fragments of stories, and I was quickly pulled into her orbit.

The Inca Trail: Between Pain and Discovery

To walk the Inca Trail is to walk between worlds, between the earthly and the ethereal. Each step felt like a pilgrimage into my own fear, my own limitations. Life in Qatar had been one of sedentary comforts—air-conditioned spaces and predictable routines. But on this trail, the comforts were stripped away, replaced by a path that demanded resilience and a spirit I wasn’t sure I possessed.

It was at Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,200 meters above the sea and worlds away from everything I had known, that I came face to face with my own doubts. Each step forward felt both impossible and necessary—a private battle against exhaustion, pain, and all the weight I carried. It was here that José, our guide, handed me coca leaves and whispered their significance: a symbol of resilience, of communion with nature, of ancient wisdom carried on the wind. I held onto his words as tightly as I held onto each breath.

The nights were marked by exhaustion but also by moments of unexpected warmth. LHO’s attention to detail transformed these challenging days into a journey of connection. Every evening, we gathered around steaming bowls of quinoa soup, the aromas mingling with stories and laughter. It was more than food—it was an affirmation that, even in the harshest conditions, care and connection endure.

Bonds Forged Beyond Expectations

One of the most beautiful contradictions of this journey was the friendships I formed. I met Bass and Chris, two men from Alabama who seemed like an unlikely fit in the Andean mountains. They reminded me of Beavis and Butt-Head— rascals at heart, whose dynamic was a cocktail of mischief and warmth. After a few beers, their accents grew thicker, their jokes louder, and their bond more evident.

Before this trip, I would have never imagined connecting with two Southern men from the deep folds of Alabama. Yet, amid the laughter and occasional irreverence, I saw something genuine—an authenticity that took me by surprise. Despite our vastly different backgrounds and their vocal political leanings, they defied every assumption. Bass later shared that I had been the highlight of their entire stay, a revelation that moved me deeply. And Chris, with his boisterous humor, spoke words of solidarity with Palestine that caught me off guard—a reminder that even in places where you expect walls, bridges can be built.

Peru: A Land of Magic and Contrast

Peru felt like a world that stood in opposition to Qatar—a place where the landscapes breathed possibility and the past held space for the present. The Andean peaks seemed to touch the sky, as if reaching out to something timeless. Here, the remnants of the Incan civilization weren’t just ruins—they were symbols of a deeper understanding of life’s interconnectedness. There is a quiet, potent magic in this place, something that whispers to you between breaths of thin mountain air and rustling leaves.

Where Qatar felt rigid, cloaked in unyielding traditions, Peru felt vibrant, open, and alive. It was a land of contrasts—a place where every vista seemed to beckon you to question and explore, to unearth and transform.

A New Beginning: Zumra and Life Happens Outdoors

This journey wasn’t just an escape from pain; it was a turning point. It inspired me to seek new experiences, to build new connections, and to create opportunities for others to do the same. And so, I’m thrilled to announce a partnership between Zumra, my venture, and Life Happens Outdoors. Together, we aim to offer more people the chance to step beyond the confines of routine and rediscover a deeper sense of self through nature.

As an ambassador for LHO, I invite everyone to join this journey—a movement towards finding freedom and resilience through the unknown. LHO’s affiliate program is an invitation to become part of a global community that values connection, courage, and self-discovery. This isn’t just a trip—it’s a path to reclaiming your life.

Stay tuned for photos, stories, and more details about our partnership. Adventure awaits, and the world is far more open than you might imagine. It’s time to step into the unknown, beyond the familiar, and discover the beauty waiting both outside and within.