All great suggestions so far. Addressing a few thoughts/questions:

Yes, Enki is based on the Sumerian deity. I'd love to throw Kuwait on the list, but I suspect that one constraint I didn't mention might get in the way -- my wife needs to be comfortable about where I go. I try to educate her about what's safe and what isn't safe, but preconceived notions might still reign. So Jordan, Kuwait, and Ethiopia might not be possible. At least for now. Despite reports to the contrary, she still thinks that most of Africa is unsafe for travel and a bad option. Thought many (most?) places aren't any more dangerous that any other place in the world, compared to Iceland, Japan, etc., her reaction is still a consideration.

Keep these suggestions coming. I'm probably about 6 months out from my next trip, so I do have time to educate and plan (love what I saw about Lalibela and Petra, despite what I said above!)

Thanks,

Enki