Samer has managed to work full time as an architect as he chases 193

Samer shared with me that he’s driven to travel by FOMO and YOLO. The fear of missing out and you only live once, pushes him to plan constantly so he can maximize travel to the fullest. He is continually researching, creating lists, and making future travel itineraries.

Samer has travel in his blood. From an early age he made multiple trips to Jordan and Syria to visit family. This opened the door to travel as a kid. And before he was even a teenager, he methodically learned and memorized geography data and trivia. In fact, he had already determined that he would travel to every country in the world.

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Samer visited China as a 16 year old and went backpacking in Europe before he even started university. He shares with us how he nearly lost his cool in the Abidjan airport and his frustrations in the Miami airport. He tells us why he loves antarctica and why pakistan is underrated.

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Samer joined me from California while I was in Bangkok, please join in and listen to today’s episode. And check out his awesome sketches below!

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Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.

More about Samer Kawar:

Born in: San Francisco Bay Area
Passports from: USA, Jordan
Favorite travel book: Any Lonely Planet Guide
Favorite travel film: Seven Years in Tibet
Favorite travel app or website: Nomad Mania, Atlas Obscura, Trupadvisor
Must carry: My sketchbook, Polaroid Zip photo printer
Favorite food: Khao soi, torta ahogada, coconut curry
Favorite drink: the local beer in each country
Favorite airline: Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines
Favorite hotel: Airways Hotel, PNG
Website: WanderLuster
Instagram: WanderLuster
Twitter: WanderLuster
Map: Nomad Mania

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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

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 Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
The Nomad Mania states that there are 1281 unique places in the world.
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.

An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.

Check out Samer’s awesome and talented sketches!

Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.

Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.

Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.