I was chatting today about foreign countries with a friend and got to wonder where I had visited the most. I could probably reconstruct some pretty exact times between my logbooks and recalling the non-work international trips I’ve taken. But I don’t have that stuff handy, so I’ll just have to rely on my memory.
I figure I do need some ‘objective’ criteria, though. I’ve been to, depending on how you count, somewhere between about 38 and 45 or so foreign countries and territories (38 for raw nationalities, and in the mid 40’s counting disconnected territories and what not). Many of those aren’t ‘frequent’ destinations of mine. What I’m still curious about but don’t have a straight answer for is which foreign country I’ve actually spent the absolute most time in. I *think* I know the answer (Japan) but I’m not certain.
What might be useful, though, is discarding the majority of the countries that I’ve been to but haven’t spent a lot of time in. For a ‘rule of thumb’, the remainder of the list (which I’ll comment on) would all be places that I’ve spent at least a grand total of two weeks in *and* at least one stay of three days or more (listed by continent / region):
Mexico – Four 1-week stays plus a few other random visits. Probably less than 5 weeks total.
Ireland – Lots of layovers (‘countless’ would be in the ball park), some 3+ days. I’d speculate 4+- weeks total (maybe 5?).
Belgium – Lots of layovers, some 3+ days (probably less than Ireland), plus a couple days on a music tour. Maybe 3 weeks total?
Germany – Lots of layovers in lots of cities, some 3+ days, plus several days on a music tour. Probably 4-5 weeks total, maybe 6.
Kuwait – Several 2-4 day layovers plus at least one week-long layover. Probably 3 weeks total.
Indonesia – 2 weeks one time.
Japan – Two music tours, 3 weeks and 2 weeks, at least one 1-week layover that I can recall, and *lots* of multiple day layovers. Probably 9-12 weeks total.
Korea – Lots of multiple-day layovers, at least a couple approaching a week and one over a week. Maybe 4-5 weeks total?
Taiwan – Several 3-day layovers and many shorter. 3-4 weeks total?
China – Several 2-4 day layovers. 3-4 weeks total?
Maybe I’m way off on a bunch of these estimates, but there they are. If anyone’s interested in more accurate estimates (I am, actually), bother me incessantly and maybe I’ll compile them… hah!
V-
I can’t even bring myself to read this post, I’m so jealous. No kidding. Maybe some day I can work for World after all?
I’d love to work with you. Things aren’t exactly stable here right now, though. Not that they ever really are, but we just underwent our 3rd merger / acquisition in as many years. I’m quite confident more is coming as the current arrangement is very unlikely to be long term. While we’re still going along okay, there have already been some bad developments at work as a result of the first change (or two, really), and I expect more to come. In the long run, I’d expect these negative changes to disproportionately affect flight attendants. ‘Course, there’s always an office job if ya wanna move to Atlanta… that’d defeat the purpose though 😉
V-
Although my country visits have been a bit different from yours I have visited several of the same countries you have. And yet there are also several that I would still really enjoy visiting that you have. I did most of my traveling in Europe as a child so I probably will forget some along the way. Anyway here is my list…..
Mexico – One week when my ‘brother’ (friend really) took me to Cancun to celebrate my first divorce…
Ireland – Several 2-3 day stays and a one week stay, maybe three weeks total.
Belgium – Lots of 2-3 day stays and several one day stays, maybe three weeks total
Germany – Once for a four day stay and once for a week shopping trip from England. I know I’ve been there more than twice but those are the two I remember the most. I used to fly in and out of there, as a child, all the time.
Kuwait – part of an air crew – won’t say anything more
Japan – lived in Misawa for 3 years. Traveled throughout the country north and south.
Korea – several 2-3 day shopping trips from Japan.
Never been where you have been list….
Indonesia
Taiwan
China
As an adult I’ve also lived in Spain for three years and in England for two (where I did a LOT of traveling). My college internship was in Scotland for four months. I’ve also traveled pretty extensively throughout Europe to include France, Morocco, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Iceland, Turkey, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, and Sicily. When I was a child I lived in England and visited more countries than I can even remember. I’m sure there is a few I don’t ever remember visiting.
There are a couple of places that I’d really like to visit to include St. Petersburg and Moscow Russia; Shanghai China; Australia and the Greek Islands.
I know you have been to Australia but it didn’t make your list….
There were many countries I’ve been to that didn’t make the list. That was just the ‘most time’ places. I’ve only been to Australia once for a day or so.
I, too, would love to go to Russia and the Greek Islands (flew over them the last couple days… never been). Also on my short list is New Zealand, Estonia, and South Africa.
V-