garthmonroe

not all who wander are lost

A Country Mile

Country Counting: [DEC 2025] frequently asked how many countries I have visited. Keep track so that I may answer the query, but not, as a sense of accomplishment, my focus perhaps, is to be an informed world citizen. To bear witness to the world; ugly and beauty, hatred and kindness, indifference and depravity.

Depending on how to split hairs, there are 200 sovereign countries, plus or minus. To date, visited 65 countries, one-third of the world, by any measure, a failing score, and a reminder that the world is a large place.

It is reasonable to assume that countries are normally distributed, half above average, half below average. Most countries I have visited are above average, except perhaps, Haiti, which was less un-stable when I visited in 2016, than today.

May continue to travel in this manner for the next decade; slow, overland travel, to explore a region thoughtfully and independently. Travel by osmosis, steeped slowly in the local environs. No pretense to visit every country. Do not know how many countries that I will visit and explore. 100 countries may be the bare minimum, 50% of the world. 150 countries, 75% of the world, may be a more noble attempt. Upper limit is likely 180 countries; some countries lack the infrastructure to easily visit; other countries are restricted to visit (ie. Libya, North Korea, Yemen, etc.).

Why Travel: why do I travel, what is the value of travel, if any. Does travel make me different, does it make me a changed person, an improved version of myself. Or does travel make me a more dull and tedious bore. Do not know if travel changes a person, or not. Maybe the worst outcome is that travel leaves a person unchanged. But is not change inevitable, does not everything in this world change, is not change the only constant in this world. “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man (Heraclitus).”

Why do I travel, am I on pilgrimage, a journey of truth-seeking (where truth may not exist). Do I travel to atone (for my sins or karma), or, to seek redemption. Maybe there is no reason, maybe I do not know why I travel, or maybe, I am just misguided.

Travel often reminds me of my short-comings and faults, and reminds me of my inability to tolerate uncertainty, as if I am allergic. It is all too easy to hate myself. Does travel teach me to love myself, or more realistically, to accept and tolerate myself.

Do I have a death wish, to be left for dead at the side of the road. Do I run away from fear, or run towards fear. Not immune from deeply uncomfortable feelings during travel: anxiety, claustrophobia, discomfort, dread, lonely, and unsettled. Travel makes me feel vulnerable in a way that remaining in the United States does not. That which does not kill me, makes me stronger; poison or cure, but the size of the dose.

Often suggested that Zen (Buddhism) is not about gain, but a practice of losing (and surrender). In a similar manner, perhaps world travel is not about finding and discovery, but about losing, or getting lost.

Some days, of course, it feels like travel is just a waste of time and money. In a world without meaning, without purpose, maybe nothing matters, anyway, dust in the wind. Wish that I had answers, but only questions. Wish that I had certainty, but only doubt. In either case, prefer not-knowing over self-delusion.

There remain journeys to explore: 1. remaining countries of southeast Asia, 2. Balkans, 3. five former Russian Stans, 4. overland Cairo to Cape Town (12 trains + 5 bus), 5. Greenland and Churchill Manitoba (winter), 6. around-the-world container ship, 7. Colorado River rafting, and Grand Canyon rim-to rim-to rim hike (sub 24-hours).

Conclusion: It is likely that I will retire to Tucson Arizona, prefer the dry, desert climate of winter. During summer, visit the National Parks, and visit family and friends in the United States via motorcycle (BMW F450 GS), or, choose to live stationary overseas.