There are 195 countries in this world and I've been to 10 of them...

Crazy statistic isn't it?  There are a total of 195 countries in the world, and I've only been to 10!  My goal is to hit at least 50 over the next year or two, and all 7 continents (yes even Antarctica!).  This got me thinking about whether or not I have any other goals or guidelines for the trip that I'll attempt to follow.  So here's a short list of some that I came up with:

• If it's known as the "world's biggest, shortest, tallest, sharpest, hottest, spiciest, coldest, bubbliest, best etc"  I'm doing it
• If it's a festival or a local tradition I'm going (and participating if possible)
• If I haven't heard of the country and it's got something cool, I'm going
• If my brother would do it, I'll do it (thanks for the ongoing 28 year battle Ry)
• If someone asks me to see/experience something for them I will try to accommodate.
• If someone points in a general direction and says there's something cool over there, I'm going
• If someone double dog dares me to do something, I'll most likely do it. (You have to right?  it's a double dog dare)

I was reading an article the other day on a fellow travel blog site about '10 movies that will make you want to travel'.  I watched a few of them, but the one that stood out for me was called A Map for Saturday.  It's about a TV producer (single, late 20's) who quits his job in NY and travels the world for a year.  It's a very well done movie that gives you a taste of what it's like to backpack the world while meeting new people every day and staying in hostels.  But beware, this movie REALLY makes you want to travel...like right now.

I also read a great book called "Beyond the Horizon", which is about a guy who circumnavigates the earth on only human power (running, cycling and rowing).  It's an amazing feat of mental and physical strength, which is all done to help raise awareness around the "green movement". 

Source

So it looks like I'll be starting out my trip in southern Europe, with 2 weeks in Italy and Greece with my buddy Terry hopefully as close to May 1st as possible.  I'll probably spend May and June touring the southern countries before heading north.  Several other of my friends have shown interest in meeting me somewhere in Europe at one point or another, so that'll will just add to the awesomeness.  Also my parents and brother and his family have shown interest in either Portugal and surrounding areas, or Turkey!  And of course, let's not forget Oktoberfest at the end of September.  Other than that I'm keeping a very open schedule, which is generally the best way to approach something this vast.

I'm at that stage where I'm too far out to really get excited, as I still have ~2 months before I'll be on a plane, but close enough where this is starting to feel real.  I'm just glad I'm not a conservative planning type, or I'd be driving myself nuts with details right about now!  (Mom don't worry I'll still remember to get insurance!)

-Shawn