50 Countries by 32

By Warren Wong

50 Countries by 32. That’s my goal and I’m currently sitting at 10. It’s safe to say I caught the travel bug and it isn’t going away anytime soon.

It all started back in 2017 when a fellow lieutenant and I decided to embark on a 2 week “Euro Trip”. 4 countries, 4 cities in just under 2 weeks. What could go wrong?

Conducting Research

Leading up to the grand trip we did a ton of research on flight options, things to do, and party hostels to stay at. It wouldn’t be an authentic Euro trip without hostels, especially the “party” part.

Our first stop was Prague, Czech Republic. If you’ve never heard of this country, you’re in the wrong. This was by far my favorite country so far; the sights, the architecture, the people were just lovely.

I have a new found admiration for Eastern Europe and the beauty it holds. Maybe, it was the women. No, it was the architecture too if I’m being honest.

Expectations Vs Reality

I didn’t know what to expect entering a hostel. All I had to go off of were online reviews which described party hostels as rowdy, young folks, cheap lodging options for backpackers and party lovers from across the world were the highlights.

What I experienced was more than that. I was met with enthusiasm, passion, and tons of crazy travel stories and life stories.

I met an Egyptian migrant worker living in Prague, an Argentinian hostel worker studying for her degree and a Canadian doctor on a much needed “break” in Barcelona. And who could forget our Colombian friend who decided to go on an extensive trip in Europe after a rough breakup with his fiancé just a month ago.

These were just some of the travelers I met on the road. It opened my eyes to the world, one full of possibilities and wonder. Coming from the U.S. I realized just how small I was, a small speck in the universe. It was scary, and freeing.

Reservations and Doubts

Before this trip back in 2017, I had a narrow view of the world. Like most Americans, we can a bit closed off from the world, ignorant to the rest of the 7 billion people, their cultures and ideas. I was no different, I had really only been abroad 2 times in my life and both times with family.

Was I hesitant about this trip? Was I nervous meeting tons of odd and eccentric people? Was I anxious  to see what the hostel life was all about? Yes, yes, yes and then some. Was I happy I did it? It was an adamant yes.

2 weeks of my life went by in a blink of an eye. I wasn’t going to sit idly by when I’m “retired” to go travel and see the world. I’m committed to living my dreams now, and so can you.

Related: I Will Teach You How to Travel Cheap

Common Excuses

I hear it all the time: I don’t have money, I don’t have time, I’m going to wait until I graduate, get that promotion, land that 6 figure salary then I’ll go.

Traveling when you’re 22 is different than when you’re 32, and it’s different when you’re 62. As we grow older we have more responsibilities and commitments, which isn’t a good or bad thing. It just means that you will be limited in certain ways.

Travel when you have a spouse and kids is different than a poor college student on a tight budget. It is different for a single woman with a well-paying job and no responsibility.

And it’s sure as hell different when you’re 62, retired, and knees aren’t working so well and you’ve developed a sensational fear of heights and motion sickness.

When is the best time to travel?

No matter what age you are, the time to travel is now.

There are plenty of resources, tips and tricks to budget your travel accordingly. I would be glad to share those with you, ecstatic in fact.

What’s really stopping you, is you. If you want to see the Eiffel tower, or dip your toes in the Mediterranean Sea or climb the Great Wall of China, you can.

Conclusion

50 countries by 32.

Hopefully I’ve given you some food for thought. Maybe I’ll see you in Europe this September.

Kiev, Ukraine; Lviv, Ukraine; Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria.

16 days, 12 days solo travel, 4 cities, 3 countries. Come find me.

Question for you

What is your dream destination, and when are you finally going to go?