Of all the addictions in the world, I’m glad I have the one that involves just stamps in a passport. I was just looking at my travel map, and it hit me. This isn’t just a collection of flags on a digital map; it’s the story of my life. It’s where all my spare money has gone, every sacrifice has been made, and where I’ve found the most joy. My savings account might be crying, but my soul is richer than I could have ever imagined.
There’s a funny thing that happens when you start traveling. At first, a few new countries feel like a massive achievement. Then you hit 10, and you’re hungry for 20. Before you know it, you’re eyeing the 50 milestone, and the big 100 is not a mythical number anymore. But as I stand here, looking at these still untouched parts of my map, I have to ask myself: how much is enough? When does the chase for a number start to overshadow the very reason I started this journey in the first place?
So, what’s next? Well, looking at the map, it’s obvious where the big gaps are. Northern Asia and Latin America are still untouched, so that’s where I’m aiming to go. I’ve explored most of Europe, and now just isn’t the right time to visit the US, so I’ll continue with my grand plan. The next big trips will be Japan, followed by Peru and Bolivia.
I’d also really like to see more of Africa, and India is on my list too. But I have a feeling those are places I’d need to go to alone. It just seems like a different kind of trip, and for that, I think I’d have to be on my own.
And that brings me back to the question of the goal. The perfectionist in me, the one who likes things neat and complete, screams, “All of them! All 195 countries!” But the rationalist, the one who’s had to navigate delayed flights and questionable food, gently reminds me that the last 10 or 20 countries on that list will likely be a nonsense marathon. Why turn a passion into an obsession?
Lately, I’ve been discovering the beauty of slow travel, of lingering in a place long enough to feel its pulse, to move beyond the tourist trail and into the rhythm of daily life. It’s not a race. It’s about the quality of the experiences, not about a number. If I make it to 100 countries, I’ll be more than happy. Because each of those 100 will be a story, a memory, a piece of the world that has become a piece of me.
By the way, if you’re as obsessed with tracking your travels as I am, the app I use is called Polarsteps. It’s been my digital travel journal for years, and you can find it here. It’s the perfect way to see your own story unfold, one pin at a time.
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