Jourduhns Journey

Hello, I’m Jourduhn….
I believe every place holds a story
and I’m here to capture mine.
Welcome to my journey.

I chase moments, not miles.

About Me

Firstly I just want to say thank you for taking the time to visit my travel blog.

HI! I’m Jourduhn (Jordan), I have started this blog as I love to travel and would love to share my experiences with you.

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Me

Slow Roads, Quiet Nights, and Choosing Calm

There was a time when my life felt loud —

not in volume, but in pressure.

Too many expectations I didn’t set.

Too many conversations that went nowhere.

Too many late nights working when my body was tired, and my mind refused to rest.

I didn’t always know how to say no back then.

So I said yes to things that drained me.

Yes to noise.

Yes to confusion.

Yes to people who needed more than I had to give.

Yes to gigs I didn’t really want to do.

Yes, to too many people who didn’t deserve my energy.

I had this thought process that everyone had to be “good”. Even if that meant putting them before me.

Moving to Dubai didn’t magically fix that. What it did do though, was open my eyes to it.

My workload slowed down.

I lost relationships, but the true ones revealed themselves.

It gave me less pressure and space — and space has a way of forcing honesty.

When everything slows down, you start hearing yourself again.

I started driving more.

Not to escape anything specific — just to close my mind and think.

Long roads.

Music low.

Windows down.

No notifications.

No one asking for anything.

Just Me, Myself & I.

And somewhere between the desert highways and quiet nights, something shifted.

I realised I don’t want chaos anymore.

Not in my routine. Not in my relationships. Not in my head.

I want calm — and I’m choosing it deliberately.

For a long time, I mistook intensity for connection.

If something felt emotional, dramatic, or consuming, I assumed it mattered.

I thought depth had to hurt a little.

I thought progression had to be loud.

But calm doesn’t shout.

It doesn’t demand.

It doesn’t leave you second-guessing yourself.

Calm feels like:

• conversations that flow without effort

• silence that isn’t awkward

• showing up without needing to perform

• consistency instead of confusion

I’m learning that peace isn’t boring — it’s rare.

These days my personal time looks quieter, but fuller:

• late-night drives instead of late nights out

• writing instead of scrolling

• choosing presence over distraction

• choosing fewer people, but better energy

And the more I lean into that, the more everything else begins to align —

work, creativity, relationships, and even confidence.

I don’t need everything figured out.

I don’t need to rush what’s meant to grow slowly.

I just need to keep choosing what feels steady instead of what feels loud.

Because sometimes growth isn’t about adding more.

Sometimes it’s about removing what never belonged.
Me

Poland: An Unexpected Trip That Gave Me More Than I Asked For

Sometimes the best trips aren’t the ones you plan for months. They’re the ones you say yes to without really knowing why.

Krakow was one of those trips.

I went with my best friend, with no huge expectations, no packed itinerary, no pressure to “do everything”. Just two friends, a city, our cameras, and a break from reality. I had just gone through a really tough moment, so it was a much-needed break.

What I didn’t expect was how much the trip would stay with me.

First Impressions

From the moment we arrived, Krakow felt like I’d been here before. I’ve travelled a lot around Europe and can’t say it felt much different.

Not rushed.

Not flashy.

Just real.

The architecture, though, told stories that you could only imagine. You could feel that this was a place that had lived through joy, pain, and resilience, and somehow still carried itself with quiet confidence.

Walking through the streets, it felt less like a tourist destination and more like being invited into everyday life. Most people didn’t seem to notice we were tourists; they just kept on going with their day-to-day life. It’s a University City, so that might be an explanation for why, but it still felt very relaxed and peaceful. Much different to what I was used to in London.

The Beauty in Simplicity

One thing that stood out to me was how simple everything felt — in the best way.

• Cafés where people actually sat and talked

• Streets where no one was in a rush

• Food that didn’t try too hard but still hit every time

• Families out walking

• Couples just enjoying life

It reminded me that not everything needs to be loud to be meaningful.

Some places don’t demand your attention — they earn it. Krakow definitely earned it and more. The architecture was classic European. It had a Germanic feel to it and a very old school vibe. To be honest, it did actually rain the whole time we were there, so that might have explained a lot, but it was still quite intriguing. Our Airbnb told a story on its own, too. As we reached the building, it did feel like I was stepping back in time to the 1980s. The building felt like it had been through hell and back. Not so much in the state of it, but just the vibe and energy you felt walking through the corridors.

Food, Conversations & Late Nights

We ate well. Really well.

Polish food surprised me — hearty, comforting, honest. Meals felt like they were made to bring people together rather than impress them.

But honestly, some of the best moments weren’t even about where we were — they were about who I was with.

Late-night conversations, random laughs, sitting somewhere with a drink, talking about life, plans, mistakes, and where we thought we were headed. Those moments are easy to overlook when you’re living them, but they’re usually the ones you remember the most, especially what happened on the last night.

This is a story I have to include, or my friend would kill me.

So here it goes….

We were sitting at a restaurant. It was one of those that had outside seating on the sidewalk, so we decided to sit out there. We had been walking in the rain for the best part of 9 hours to capture some street content for our photography portfolios. We sat in the cosy warm place, sat our cameras down on the table and started to enjoy our meal. I was 3/4 through mine when the next 10 seconds created a moment that will never die. Just as it was starting to warm up, the roof decided to collapse and all the water that had been building up from the rain all day, completly soaked me. When I tell you all the life in me left, it really did. I was speechless. I wasn’t even embarrassed, just speechless. Then it sank in, it was out last night, and I had no clean clothes!! We then left with my hoodie and trousers stuck to my legs. It was now chucking down with rain again, and also the temperature was close to freezing. Luckily, there was an H&M, so I was able to buy some new clothes.

Perspective I Didn’t Know I Needed

Looking back now, that trip came at a time when I needed perspective — even if I didn’t realise it then.

It reminded me:

• To slow down

• To be present

• To appreciate people more than places

Travel isn’t always about ticking countries off a list. Sometimes it’s about seeing yourself more clearly when you’re away from everything familiar. Taking moments to just appreciate life.

Why Poland Will Always Mean Something to Me

Poland wasn’t the loudest trip I’ve taken.

It wasn’t the most luxurious.

It wasn’t the most “Instagrammable”.

But it was honest. And it was real.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Final Thoughts

This trip reminded me why I started Jourduhn’s Journey in the first place.

Not to show perfect holidays.

Not to chase aesthetics.

Not for the Instagram posts

But to document moments that shape you — quietly.

Poland did that for me.

And it’s a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Me

Why I Moved To Dubai!

A New Chapter, A New Version of Me

There’s a moment in everyone’s life where settling and staying the same becomes more uncomfortable than changing. For me, that moment arrived quietly over time, not with a big dramatic event, but with a simple realisation:

I wasn’t growing where I was.

I wasn’t inspired.

I wasn’t happy.

And I wasn’t becoming the version of myself I knew I could be.

So I made the decision that changed everything:

I moved to Dubai!!!

After deciding to move, I found myself drawn to Dubai—a city I only knew a little from past trips, yet it was a place that felt like it was calling me.

I had toyed with the idea the year before about potentially trying it for six months, but after some changes in my life, I felt it was now or never, and then three months later, I was on a one-way flight to DBX.

Leaving Home: The Push and the Pull

People always ask, “But why Dubai?”

And honestly, the answer isn’t one single reason; it’s a blend of moments, emotions, and opportunities.

I needed a reset.

A fresh start.

A place where I wasn’t defined by my past, my relationships, or anyone’s expectations.

A place where I could regain my confidence and motivation

And somewhere I could take my career to the next level.

Back home, I felt like I was stuck reading the same chapter over and over again. I was comfortable, making a decent wage, but it wasn’t fulfilling. Deep down, I wasn’t happy.

Dubai became the place where I could:

• Start again

• Build something new

• Challenge myself

• And step into a better, stronger version of who I am

What surprised me most wasn’t the skyline or the lifestyle — it was how quickly I felt lighter.

More hopeful.

More motivated

More hungry

More of myself.

The Leap…Making The Move

The decision happened a lot faster than you would think. I was at work, DJing at one of my residencies, and I was really in my head and thought London really isn’t for me. I had just gone through some changes in my life, so I needed a break. So I messaged my sister, who also lives here in Dubai, with her Fiancé, and asked if I was to fly over could I crash at hers for a week. She said Yeah that’s cool and 6 days later, I was at Heathrow airport, about to board my flight.

After a week of letting loose in the Dubai summer heat, I returned to London thinking, I’m moving to Dubai!! And two months later, with no real job set in stone, accommodation or even a visa, I landed in Dubai, determined and excited for this new journey I was about to start.

The Energy of Dubai

Dubai is one of those cities you can’t really explain until you’re here. It’s fast, ambitious, loud, and alive — but also incredibly grounding in its own way.

Here, everyone is chasing something:

• a dream

• a career

• a new identity

• a second chance

And because of that, you don’t feel judged. You feel understood.

I tell everyone, don’t believe what you see on social media, come here and see it for yourself.

You won’t be disappointed.

Moving here didn’t just give me a new environment; it gave me momentum. I started DJing in different atmospheres, creating content again, meeting new people, and slowly rediscovering the confidence I lost over the years.

Healing in a New City

What people don’t talk about enough is how a new place can heal you.

In Dubai, I found space:

• space to breathe

• space to think

• space to process old pain

• space to rebuild myself piece by piece

There’s something about driving down a long open road at night in the middle of the desert on the E311, Old School R&B playing in the background, wind from the AC hitting your face…

It makes you realise you’re not the same person anymore.

You’re becoming someone new.

The People I’ve Met Along the Way

Dubai connects you with people you were never meant to meet back home, people from different cultures, different stories, different lives.

Some stay.

Some leave.

Some appear and change your life in a way you weren’t expecting.

And sometimes… someone comes into your life who makes Dubai feel even more like home. Someone who reminds you that fresh starts aren’t just about places, they’re about people too.

Leaving London was a lot harder than you might think. My godson was only 3 months old. My cousin and his girlfriend were expecting their 1st child. I was leaving my closest friends behind. But I have met people here I now consider my family.

A City That Matches My Ambition

One thing about Dubai: it doesn’t let you stay small.

This city forces you to level up:

• your mindset

• your work ethic

• your goals

• your confidence

It made me realise what I’m capable of.

It pushed me to start sharing more, creating more, dreaming bigger, and actually believing I can get there with my skills and talents.

Dubai didn’t just give me a new home; it gave me a new direction, a new hustle.

So… Why Did I Move to Dubai?

To grow.

To rebuild.

To start again.

To find myself.

To challenge myself.

To step into the version of me I always knew was there.

And because deep down, I knew I was meant for more.

I was due to move to the Bahamas back in 2020, but due to the COVID pandemic, I ended up losing that contract. And to be honest, after that, I always felt I had failed, even though it was due to circumstances out of my control; it really took a chunk out of my drive. Dubai is where my story restarted, and honestly, it feels like I’m only on chapter one.

I have so much more to give and achieve.

What’s Next?

To be honest, I don’t know exactly where this journey leads next…

Every few months, something always changes. What I thought was the new direction I was going towards does a complete 180…

But I do know this:

I’m not the same person I was before I moved here.

And I’m proud of the person I’m becoming.

If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or unsure of where your life is headingMaybe your new chapter is waiting for you, too.oo.

Sometimes you just have to take the leap and do what deep down you know is best for you.
Me

Three Years Into My Photography Career.

The Beginning.
18th October 2021. The date my life changed, and it’s not to do with that virus that was in the air.
The week before, I came across a content creator on YouTube named Chris Hau, and he talked about one of his sources of income: Travel Photography. I was intrigued as I love traveling and was starting to enjoy street photography. The more I looked into his story, the more I realised this was the perfect choice for me. It wouldn’t be easy as to build your portfolio; you have to be quite actively travelling, and we had just come out of a global pandemic, but it was a challenge I couldn’t wait to begin. We had not long come out of the lockdown in the U.K., and all the bars and clubs weren’t open to full capacity, so I was working part-time at a restaurant while waiting for some more DJ gigs to come my way. I jumped onto the app Kiwi.com (an online travel website) and booked a return ticket to Milan for £9. Yes, that’s right, £9. Many countries were still semi-locked down, and airlines were desperate, but I didn’t expect it to be that cheap. Either way, I couldn’t wait to get this show on the road.

I won’t lie; I was extremely nervous about this trip. I had been doing photography for not even six months, and I was already travelling to another country to take pictures. As the day was arriving, I thought I was reaching too far. I didn’t even know how to use my camera correctly. I had basic knowledge of the meaning of shutter speed and ISO, but I needed more confidence in the topic. I had always just winged it and hoped for the best. My editing might have been good, and I frequently had good feedback from my images, but I was a beginner with Lightroom. And don’t even get me started on photoshop. There were many more issues, but I knew I really wanted to do this, and if I saw this as a career path, I had to start from somewhere. Nothing is impossible. Even the word itself says, “Im Possible”.

How has it been?
I can’t believe the journey that I have been on so far. Travelling to all these different cities, even if some have been only for a few days, I’ve still tried to take in as much of the culture as possible. The content I’ve been able to get has been some of my best work, which has also landed me paid jobs in other areas of photography. London is a beautiful city in terms of structure and history, and you can capture a lot of scenery. But nothing compares to capturing shots in a different country. You want your work to stand out, and as a London street photographer, we all tend to have the same images. Yes, we all have our own touch, but I want to stand out from the crowd.

Where can improve?

My most significant setback is promoting my work and my online presence. I need to network with other content creators more frequently. This should bring more opportunities and land me more paid jobs. I also should be posting a bit more. The only issue with this is I stand by the phrase, Quality over Quantity. Especially with how Instagram is with the algorithm, your content has to be outstanding to reach any traction and gain engagement. One way for me to gain some exposure to help with my social media footprint would be to try and collaborate more with other content creators, so that is another thing I can work on.

What’s next?

Well, my target for this year was to travel to six cities, and it is only October. I’ve already achieved that goal, with two more trips already booked until the end of year. I also plan to add drone content to my portfolio, adding a different perspective to my creativity. YouTube is another avenue I would like to venture down more, but ideally, I plan to master my photography further.

Conclusion.

The last three years have been truly amazing. I’ve learnt so much, experienced so much and met some unique and talented individuals. There have been some challenging moments. There were times when I didn’t feel like I was good enough and that I’d never book a paid job, But with the good comes the ugly, and you have to stick it out and work hard for what you want in life. I want to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey. You, the readers who are currently reading this post (if you made it this far). Everyone who shares my posts and leaves likes and comments. My friends and family, for all the supportive words and motivating speeches. I promise to continue for the next 12 months and bless you with another blog post in October 2024.
europe

My 36 Hours Jetting Around Europe

It all started about 72 hours before I flew from Gatwick. I accidentally booked my return flight for the week after I had initially planned. I usually book my flights separately, so this wasn’t a shock. I was more surprised it to so long for my clumsy self to make this mistake. I couldn’t change my ticket and was forced to buy another one, which cost me about £40. Not a high price, but that was the same price as my original flights both ways.

Accommodation is where it gets interesting. My original plan when I thought of this trip was to relive my first trip to Milan in 2021, and this was the trip that pulled me towards the vision of being a travel photographer. First, I tried to stay in the same hotel I had stayed at in Citta Studi, but at over £200 per night, that was a no-no. Finally, I found one not too far away, around a 10-minute walk from that hotel, so it wasn’t too bad, but at £82 for one night, that hurt me.

So now I’m at Gatwick about to relive my first photography trip; flights are booked, and the hotel is all booked. Nothing to worry about, right? Well, let’s land in Milan and get into it. As stupid as I had been with booking the trip, I was proud I remembered the airport and train station so well. I knew exactly where I was going regarding exits and even remembered what train to catch at the central station. This put me in a good mood as I became proud of myself for remembering everything. Little did I know this was all about to change.

So after about 20 minutes of walking up Via Nicola Antonio Porpora, I finally reached my accommodation for the night. So I went to check in straight and sensed something was up. The guy at the check desk struggled to see my name on the system. So I looked on the booking app to show him, and in large black text, it said the 16th, which was the following week. I’d never felt so clumsy in my life. I had to try a play it off like it wasn’t me who booked the room, so I asked how much it would cost for a room that night, and he replied €240. That was never going to happen, so I left and top him id be back next week. For one night, that price was outrageous. I thought id look up a few hostels in the area, and even they were coming up at roughly €100 for one night in a bunk bed dorm. My only option then was to fly back home. The time was only around 1 PM, so I thought of walking around for a few hours. I’d still be able to get the pictures I wanted and then catch the last flight back home. It sounded like the perfect plan for my situation, but at least I could find a positive from this situation. Well, that wasn’t to be either. A flight from Milan back to any London airport was coming up at over £170; now that would never happen. So I looked for some connecting flights and found one for £78, but it was an 18-hour flight, with connections all over Spain. Well, with no choice, I booked the flights home and started walking.

On a positive note, please do so if you have yet to go to Milian. It’s a magnificent city with lots of outstanding architecture. In addition, it has a retro-style tram line which circles the inner city. They stop often, too, which allows you to get terrific pictures next to them. The Grand Central station is very eye-catching too. While walking to the Cathedral, I was trying to recapture many of the photographs I had initially taken back in 2021. This was the main reason for me travelling to Milan. I wanted to compare my Photography in the two years I had been doing it.

I managed to find the exact route I had taken 18 months ago. A lot had stayed the same, apart from some previous road works that had been completed. When I arrived, I first noticed how the Cathedral Square was packed with tourists. This wasn’t the case back in 2021, but that’s due to the pandemic and not many people wanting to travel. It is a sight you must visit if you ever find yourself in Milan. I’ve never been inside so I can’t give any experience about what’s inside, but this is a must if you love architecture and historic buildings.

After a few hours of snapping some shots and eating my favourite Italian dish, Carbonnara, I went to the airport. I had done quite a few stopovers in the past but was unsure of what to expect with this one. The first flight was simple. It wasn’t a busy Flight as we took off at 10:55 PM, and it was only a two-hour flight to my first destination of Alicante, where I had a nearly six-hour layover. I hoped to find a nice bench somewhere and catch a few Zzzs, but I didn’t seem to be alone in a sleepover at the airport. I ended up watching 2 star wars movies back to back on my iPad to try a stay awake then I found a bench to sleep on. I woke up about 45 minutes before I had to board and was completely surrounded but people in the terminal.

The second flight was only an hour long, but I slept the whole way through. It had now been 24 hours where I hadn’t slept more than 3 hours in one go. When we landed in Bilabo, I was tempted to leave the airport and go into the city as I had never been here before, but the weather was terrible, and I had all my gear, so I went to try and find another bench to sleep, and yet again it wasn’t meant to be. I had another seven-and-a-half layover, so I took out my iPad and returned to my Star Wars. It was about 3 PM now, I was exhausted, hungry, and my body was aching from all this travelling, but I was about to board my final flight back to Gatwick. I thought this would be a simple flight back, but boy, I was wrong. The plane was full of kids making so much noise it was impossible for me to get any sleep. So I spent the two-hour flight telling myself how I would never make such a stupid mistake again. I then started to get tired and was dosing off until I was awakened 10 minutes before we landed.

So moral of the story….

Always double-check your dates before you book!!