Traveling is addictive. So many places to see with limited amount of time, money and miles you have. It is interesting that there is no universally accepted stats on the number of countries on this small planet and the best answer is somewhere around 195. Do you think anyone has visited every single country? Am sure there must be some free-spirited soul, who has wandered the globe to step his foot on every single country but unfortunately most mediocre souls like myself is busy building up retirement pension, and we still believe that we will be able to get some benefits when we grow old and feeble.
I came across an interesting website recently http://mosttraveledpeople.com/ whose members claim that the world is made up of of 872 countries, territories, autonomous regions, enclaves, geographically separated island groups, and major states and provinces. To visit all 872 would be to go everywhere. How many have you visited?
I think traveling is fun because it accumulates memories that can help us live in peace and die with a smile. Most materialistic things such as bags, cars, houses etc bring momentary satisfaction for individuals that believe in collectivism rather than Objectivism (as Ayn Rand defined in her book "The Fountainhead"). Lets leave philosophy aside & keep it simple!! Traveling provides wholesome experience to all our senses. One can not only experience the sights but also the food, culture, traditions, festivals etc. Everything seems to be new and exciting (except the horrible cattle class on airlines). It is truly a complete package of pleasure .
Mark Twain summed it up "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover"
I'm now compiling the list of countries (or rather places) that I'd like to visit in next few years to complete my 50 places bucket list before I enter the 40's club. Any interesting ideas? My next trip is to the pink city - Jaipur in India. I've been there many times but still looking forward to it especially the food. More on follow after the trip.
