Maryam Sultan Abdullah ... The Wonder Woman Of Travel

Maryam has traveled to 130 UN countries

I had the great opportunity speak with Maryam Sultan Abdullah of Kuwait. Ryan Gazder, a former guest of Counting Countries, introduced us via email. And after some time, Maryam and I were able to schedule a time to speak over the internet.

I am reminding you that Counting Countries is partnered with Patreon. Patreon is a platform that allows patrons, that’s you, to support creators, and that is me creating Counting Countries. And thanks to my other patrons, Steph Rowe, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Ryan Gazder, and Adam Hickman. As thanks, they are able to listen to additional interviews like the extra interview I did with Maryam that only they will hear.

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Maryam was launched into the world of travel from a young age with regional trips with her aunt. She then studied overseas both in the US and Europe. Despite being an avid traveler, she was unaware of the counting countries community until just recently. Maryam shares her love of people and the interactions with locals as she travels. And she shares with us, she is in no rush to complete the 193.

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Before, we hear from Maryam, I have a brief conversation with Anna, who has quite a unique job. Besides being a tour guide for Untamed Borders, she is a ski coach in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, teaching locals how to ski. Untamed Borders, specializes in challenging locales like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iraq. Check out their agendas. And here now is Anna.

Thanks to Anna from Untamed Borders, but for now, here’s my conversation with Maryam who was in Kuwait City while I was in Boston. Please listen in and enjoy.

Thank you to my Patrons …. Steph Rowe, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims & Ryan Gazder. Maryam Sultan Abdullah Counting Countries.

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Maryam Sultan Abdullah Counting Countries.

About Counting Countries

Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who’ve spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space.

Theme music for this podcast is Demeter’s Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi.

About GlobalGaz

Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia.

Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com

More About Maryam:

Born: Kuwait
Passport: Kuwaiti
Favorite Book: I read whatever and whenever
Favorite app or site: Nothing specific but sometimes I check TripAdvisor
Must carry item: First aid kit
Favorite food: Fries fries and fries..
Favorite drink: Shani and Vimto in Kuwait, Inca Cola outside of Kuwait
Favorite Airline: Qatar for all destinations, Turkish for Europe, Ethiopian for Africa.
Instagram: @marillimasultan

How Many Countries Are There?

Well… that depends on who you ask!

The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
The Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
The Most Traveled Person states that there are 891 unique parts of the world.
The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 regions.
SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way.