Introducing my 11 countries! *starts tom fill from Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight*
Here’s where I’ll be heading, and a bit about each county – the first bullet point is an adaption from the World Race January route 2 blurb and the second bullet point is something I’m excited to try in that country.
There’s tons more to find out about all these countries. What struggles will each one hold? What will the people be like? What beauty am I going to see in that’s universal and specific to that country?
Costa Rica
- While the natural beauty attracts lots of tourists, there are still large pockets of poverty and family brokenness. Costa Rica also draws in immigrants from neighboring countries, like Nicaragua, who don’t fare much better than they did before.
- I want to see a volcano and a spider monkey. Going to give myself extra points if I see both at the same time.
Nicaragua
- It’s a country full of wonderfully warm and caring people. However, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the many lives of Nicaragua
- I want to rappel down a waterfall. Or dive off a waterfall. Basically I want to mix a waterfall with gravity. (I’ll wear a helmet, mom.)
Honduras
- “Hondo” comes from the Spanish word for depth and there’s lots of depth to Honduras; It’s home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins still stand.
- I want to eat a banana in the “banana republic.” Get it? Because banana… You get it.
Bolivia
- Bolivia is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s also one of the most indigenous countries in South America; the current president is the first indigenous people group member in office.
- I want to eat an Andes mint while looking at the Andes. Eh? EH?
Chile
- It is a country rich in history, culture and the arts. But Chile still struggles with traditionalism.
- I want to eat an entire hot chile in one bite while standing barefoot in Chile. I’ll see myself out.
Balkans
- As beautiful as the Balkans are, it is also no stranger to strife, many countries have a struggling economy and are familiar with war and political conflict.
- Holy cuss. Go google this place and just look at the mountains. I want to see that in real life.
Greece
- Greece is also ranked third in the world for highest unemployment rate.
- I want to reenact my favorite scenes from Hercules here.
Romania
- The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy community. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong, vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way.
- I want to live with gypsies and channel my inner Esmeralda.
Ethiopia
- Located north of Kenya on the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia boasts deserts, mountains, and tropical forests, and is the largest producer of coffee in the world.
- I want to see a hyena, name it Ed, and live to tell the tale.
Rwanda
- Many who hear “Rwanda” immediately think, “genocide” – it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months.
- I want to see the landscapes and experience why Rwanda is nicknamed “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Uganda
- Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife, once a British Protectorate, then under military rule, with armies in northern Uganda heavily recruited child soldiers.
- I want to get shown up by school kids playing soccer.
I’m excited to for all the places I’ll be finding coffee.
