Who’s That? (and What’s This?)
Who’s that?
Well, this is Jens (who usually avoids referring to himself in third person). An archaeologist based in Berlin who just happens to travel a bit here and there – for field work en route between Scandinavia and the Middle East, anywhere else just for the sake of travelling. Still not accepting he might a bit late for the ‘golden age’ of exploration, Jens sets out to journeys reaching remote destinations in pursuit of sights, sites, and answers at any given opportunity. He never leaves without journal and pencil, rarely is seen without his trusty dusty hat, and finds a good excuse for some well-crammed pipe with a view whenever necessary.
Random yet not necessarily useful facts about Jens:
1. He’s an enthusiastic hiker, climber, canoeist, and scuba diver.
2. He’s a connoisseur of historic travelogues.
3. He sometimes does sketches in pencil and watercolour.
4. He once was known as ‘Yunus’ among the Bedouins of southern Jordan.
5. He’s also called ‘Ilyas Bey’ in the dusty steppe of southeastern Anatolia.
What’s this?
Well, basically: yet another travel blog, I’m afraid. But then again: not yet another travel blog, I hope. It’s a collection of letters. Letters recounting a few journeys and expeditions, ventures and excursions. No ‘real’ letters though (postal privacy and such things, you know), but dispatches from the road based on those journals and diaries and sketchbooks piling up at the study’s shelves at home in the meantime. The correspondence with some fictitious addressee named “R.” which, of course, in this case is represented by the esteemed reader. Fair warning though: this here is not about advice, ‘how to’s or fancy ‘best of’ lists. Above all, it’s vain travel reporting; snippets from the travel journal, opinions on stuff and musings on things.
Letters From The Field 
Great blog, Jens! Thanks a lot for connecting with us on Twitter! Keep up the great work and travel safe!
Great blog Jens I have enjoyed what I’ve read so far and will enjoy reading more about your travels. Thanks very much for following my blog too – it’s great to connect with fellow bloggers around the world. I’ve only been blogging for a short time and already find it very rewarding. Your English is very good by the way far better than my German (which I’m learning at present once a week!), kind regards Rosemary :)
Thanks a lot for your kind words; I’m glad you enjoyed the blog and although I do not find as much time updating it as I would like to, I hope to update it regularly – there are plenty of more adventures to come yet. ;-)
Also, thanks for connecting, too. Indeed, always great to get in touch with fellow bloggers. Looking forward to read more of your journeys.
Hi Jens!! What an interesting blog you have…. how awesome that you are an archeologist, I never met one :D I will look forward to following your adventures!!
Thanks a lot! Interesting to note, my profession’s of such an interest. May have to think about adding more archaeological expeditions’ stuff to the blog it seems. ;-)
Yes it is!! And I agree with your idea, please do add some archeological expeditions, it will be very interesting to a lot of people, including me :D
Hi, Jens! Your blog is refreshingly different and I do support the idea of sharing more archaeological stuff in here, anythings will be of interest as most of us do not know much about your profession. Thanks for following my blog and good luck in everything you do. :)
Thanks a lot for your kind and flattering words. Looking forward to share more ‘field’ articles soon. Watch this spot. ;-)
Hi Jens, I’m glad I found your blog. I’m very much interested in archaeology and anthropology. I’ve always wanted to learn what is like to be an archaeologist and what exactly they do during their field work. Interesting content you have in your blog!
Thanks a lot for your kind words. Great to see, these little bits and pieces from the journal are really read and appreciated!
Hey Jen, am a newbie to blogging but I liked this intro. You have a good sense of humour and timing to match that. Look forward to reading your blogs.
Thanks and good luck with your blog too!
Hello, Jens. I am now taking up history and archaeology courses online and I hope to one day become a true blue historian or archaeologist. Your blog posts provide insight to the life of an archaeologist on the field. Danke!
Hi Xelca, thanks a lot for your kind words! Glad you find these little notes inspiring – a lot of fun with your courses and upcoming adventures in archaeology!
Dear Jens,
Once a while I visit your blog to read the old posts, trying to catch up. I just noticed that you did a few changes, now I have to start over. Little unfair, but surely worthy!😉
Thanks a lot – for your comment and in particular for really read this stuff. Yes, I did some kind of ‘reframing’ to the blog, giving it this whole ‘letters from’ appearance. Changes to old post are rather marginal though, so there might be not too much need for catching up (fair warning though: the photos will be slightly re-worked as well). New posts coming, so there’s more reading soon again. ;-)
PS: Blog also moved; from early next year it’s only accessible via the new lettersfromthefield.com address.
Lol! The blog reframing looks pretty nice! Looking forward to the next story.
Fantastic ‘Still not accepting he might a bit late for the ‘golden age’ of exploration’. Couldn`t agree more. I just read your post about (being a polar explorer in) Norway, and I love the style of your blog. So I clicked ‘about’ and it turns out you are an archaeologist too!
Hi to a fellow digger in ancient dust and thanks a lot for your kind words; glad you like the blog. Any upcoming digs on your agenda?
Eek I am stuck writing my PhD thesis for the foreseeable future. Although, if you have anything on offer, I could always sneak off for a week ; )
Hi Jens! I just stumbled on your blog, seemingly by accident, but I’m sure I subscribed to your blog for a reason. I am looking forward to following your adventures. Wow, a real life Indiana Jones lol 😂. – https://kaleidoscopeofdreamsblog.wordpress.com
Thanks for your kind words (and for subscribing). Here’s hoping the next “letter” will be out soon. Lot’s travelling and digging going on these days tough. ;-)
Hi Jen, I wouldn’t be able to stop reading about you and all your excursions round the world. Please keep them coming.
Thanks a lot for your kind words. Encouraging indeed; and yes – I’ll keep sending those letters. ;-)
Hi Jen, stopping by to check if there was anything new. Are you no longer writing for this blog? Just being curious. thought there was something I have missed while I was busy with life itself. Take care!
Thanks a lot for checking back and asking. No, no – I did not give up the blog yet. Just rather busy at work (stuff like this, in case you’re interested: https://tepetelegrams.wordpress.com). But actually, I am writing at a new ‘letter’ here as we speak. So, watch this space. ;-)