The guy behind the keyboard. And what's up with the Lawrence-wannabe name?
I’m Meres J. Weche—a globe-trotting storyteller and strategist who blends personal narratives with big-picture thinking across borders and disciplines. If you're wondering about the whole "Lawrence of Arabia" pun, yes, I went there. But “Meres of Arabia” isn’t just a wink—it’s also a nod to the many unexpected places life has taken me, including more than a decade spent living and working in Saudi Arabia.
Born in Haiti and raised in 1980s Montreal, I grew up in a household where books and ideas were a part of everyday life. We arrived in Canada during the mid-1970s, and at that time, I spoke only French and Haitian Creole. I picked up English by the time I was 12—thanks in no small part to a worn vinyl record of Michael Jackson's Thriller, which played on repeat.
Teenage summers in New York City helped me become fluent by the age of 16 (you haven’t lived until you’ve taken the 4 or 6 trains from the Bronx to Manhattan more times than you can count ... I may have come across J-Lo at some point).
Since then, I've become a multilingual and prolific storyteller, mainly working on digital platforms. I even spent four years of my life in my twenties working on an 800-page tome on ancient history and archaeology.
I later called Ottawa, Toronto and, more recently, Vancouver home. The vibrant cultural scenes of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto laid the foundations and arts-inspired roots of Culture Shox Media.
Exploring the Namib Desert in Namibia
From red jackets to desert dunes
At 17, I surprised my family by signing up for a two-year stint with the Canadian Army Reserves as a Grenadier Guard—yes, with the red jacket and bearskin hat. That uniform didn’t stay on for long, but the spirit of adventure certainly stuck.
By the age of 19, I was on a solo working holiday in London, followed by a backpacking tour through Europe. That same curiosity led me to cold-write the former Chairman of the National Bank of Egypt during my university years and secure a summer internship in Cairo at 21. Moral of the story: shoot your shot.
Since then, I’ve explored landscapes ranging from the Namib Desert to the streets of Dakar, as well as the urban and rural areas of North Africa and the rainforests of Central America. Through it all, I’ve kept a journal, a camera, and a passion for telling stories that connect people, place, and purpose.
So… what exactly is Meres of Arabia?
It’s part travelogue, part cultural journal, and part personal essay collection—all filtered through my multidisciplinary lens. I started the blog as a way to document some of the lesser-known paths I’ve taken and the remarkable people and places I’ve encountered along the way.
At Lake Retba (Lac Rose) near Dakar, Senegal
Since 2012, Saudi Arabia has been my home base. It’s given me a front-row seat to a rapidly changing region—and made for a fascinating springboard for global adventures. Whether I’m writing about the flower men of Jizan, a UNESCO site in Senegal, or reuniting with an old friend in Cairo, I try to approach each story with curiosity, context, and care.
I also run a Toronto-based media company and work as an international communications consultant and affiliate content creator. That means I collaborate with brands whose trips, products, or services align with my values and experiences. You won’t find random sponsored links here—only recommendations I stand by.
A few things I often get asked…
Who takes the photos?
I do mainly, unless otherwise credited. But if I’m in them, then chances are my wife, and frequent travel companion, who is fluent in French, English, and Spanish (which is helpful for many trips), and quite skilled with a Canon and iPhone, snapped the shot. On most trips, it’s just the two of us with a camera, a tripod, and some curious stares from strangers wondering what we’re filming. We also rely on the kindness of locals and the occasional drone when the landscape calls for it.
Why so many websites?
Because stories need space to breathe. Over the years, I’ve launched several online platforms as part of Culture Shox Media—from AfroToronto to Outwardbounders and Search Travel Deal, each exploring a different facet of life, culture, and creativity. While Meres of Arabia is my most personal sandbox, all my sites reflect the same drive to explore how identity and place shape our understanding of the world.
In conversation with Spike Lee
What do I write about?
- Travel with purpose – From overlooked destinations to cultural deep dives, I explore places that don’t always make the glossy brochures. I believe it's important to decolonize travel storytelling.
- Arts and culture – Museums, festivals, architecture, books, and the occasional offbeat theatre performance. I also don't shy away from talking about uncomfortable subjects through conversations with diverse and inspiring people.
- Innovation and change – Stories and interviews about people reshaping industries, especially across the Middle East and Africa.
- Conversations with changemakers – Through my various podcasts, such as Afropolitan Dialogues, and written profiles, I explore ideas, impact, and identity with thought leaders around the globe.
Final thoughts
I believe storytelling should be reflective, respectful, and rooted in real experience. That’s why I self-fund my travels, do my own research, and spend too many hours editing photos until they feel just right. Whether I’m writing about the legacy of a historic mosque, the texture of a desert breeze, or the aroma of street food in Addis Ababa, my goal is to leave you with something that sticks.
So, if you’ve made it this far, thank you. Really. I hope you’ll stick around and explore a few stories.
In Cape Town, South Africa
Get in touch!
Whether it's just to say hello or work together, I'm always eager to hear from you.
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