A few days ago while in Joburg, I was fortunate to make a new friend, Anush, a 60 years young women from Massachusetts at the hostel. She’s been solo traveling the world for decades and has thus far visited 212 countries. I’m envious. She’s easily one of the more traveled people in the world. Just like her, my goal is to one day visit every country in the world. She is a member of the Travelers Century Club, which I blogged about in my Dream Profession post. Meeting her has brought the reality of my dream racing back.
When I last looked at the TCC they had 319 countries but the world has changed and they now count 321 countries. For example Sudan is now two separate countries. Oh, goodie me, even more places to visit.
TCC has changed their definition a bit as to what they consider a visit. Now they count a stop on a layover. While I personally don’t think that means really visiting a country for the purpose of my count I will include Senegal as my flight to South Africa had a one hour layover on the tarmac of Dakar. So to date I’ve had the privilege of being to 50 countries.
While my number seems large to some, I know how those who have visited less must feel. I spent the night enthralled with Anush’s stories of places I’ve barely heard of yet know how to pronounce. I realize, I don’t know them just like many don’t recognize the far off places I’ve visited. It’s humbling and exciting at the same time.
Additionally inspiring my travel spirit, I’ve meet two others in the past few days that are on a 12 month around the world trek as I had originally set out. The first a single German man was on his first week and the other was a british couple that has been traveling a couple months. I sooooo want to finish not only Africa but the 9 months I didn’t get to. As I’m typing this I just started a conversation with school teacher from San Francisco that is on a six month around the world trip and he’s on his first week.
I’m still brainstorming what I could do to somehow create an income while traveling six months of the year while maintaining a home and life in Tampa the rest of the year. Speaking with Anush brought to light the cost and difficulty in reaching the more obscure locations in the world.
So, what could I do that would be worth you and several thousand others giving me $100 a year? While a hundred bucks is not a lot of money I’m stumped on ideas of what value I could provide to attract enough folks willing to part with a little each year.
