Quite a while ago, Toby and I started keeping track of the countries we have visited – and we have a somewhat healthy competitive relationship regarding ‘country counting’. Others in our family/friend group play this game with us too. (When Toby and I met, we knew it was kind of Love At First Sight because we had both traveled so much, and probably began an unspoken competition on our first date – almost forty years ago. LOL.)
However… how does one really keep count of one’s countries? Do people exaggerate? Yes. Do they “misremember”? Yes. Do they lie? LOL.
Meanwhile… there is a lot of creative maneuvering out there to increase bragging rights. For example, if one’s plane lands in a country that has yet to be counted… how long do you need to be in the country? Some generous score keepers permit a mere touchdown… others require a 24 hour out-of-the-airport experience, etc. You get the idea.
Meanwhile, one would think counting actual countries should be pretty straightforward – but not even that comes easy. Surprisingly, even well recognized clubs, such as the Travelers’ Century Club are mysteriously generous – why count Prince Edward Island (!) and not Nova Scotia? And why count either! (Psst – they are part of Canada). Likewise, Easter Island (Chile); the Galapagos (Ecuador), not to mention “The Hawaiian Islands”!! However, who knew that Wales is its own country?! Click here to see what “places” are counted by the Travelers’ Century Club.
There are many phone apps out there which help you count countries and again are – IMHO – overly generous. Just keep in mind… if someone claims they have been to xx number of countries – you may want to raise your eyebrows and request to view (and then scour with a fine tooth comb) their list before buckling under.
Regarding Toby and Your’s Truly Country Count – unfortunately for me (But Hey – I am sure it was a great experience and I seeth with envy if I think about it too much) Toby at 19 drove with his eclectic grandmother from London to Kathmandu – and nailed a few countries that I haven’t yet visited – Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan – and unfortunately I don’t see visiting anytime soon (although I have heard from a variety of people that Iran is presently a great place for anyone to visit.)
I am quietly contemplating – while Toby is off on his upcoming Drive through South America with Cousin Chris Adventure – sneaking over to the Balkans where neither of us have been, and thereby amassing major count cred with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia—. So there.