Travel every country in the world before I die!

Goal

Travel every country in the world before I die!

Means

Entirely self-funded:

• 5 scholarships
• 7 internships
• 6 contracts
• 3 full-time jobs
• 1 decade of frugality
• 0 trust fund
• 0 inheritance
• 0 parental aid
• 0 debt (mortgage aside)

Status Report

Status: 39 countries visited, by age 29

Target: all 197 countries visited, by age 77

Chart Peaks and Plateaus

• 12 country peak: 3-month backpacking trip around-the-world
• 6 country peak: conferences and demands for my skills
• 3 country peak: 30th birthday
• 3 country peak: 40th birthday
• 3 country peak: 50th birthday
• 4 country plateau: end of mortgage
• 5 country plateau: retirement

No illusions of grandeur on traveling every country before I die. Slow and steady wins the race.

Help me decide!

Celebration 2012: 30th birthday and 40th destination!!! So many friends around the world to visit. Where to go? Where to go? Leave your suggestions in the comments section.