I am in awe of the two dozen members who have visited all 330 countries and territories on the TCC list. Like all of us, they’ve invested time and energy, spent their treasury, braved “hot spots” (where I advocate that people exercise caution) and endured numerous agonies. What motivated them to embark on this venture? What did they gain besides bragging rights and the TCC globe? How has this feat contributed to the person they are today? I asked these questions to a few of these remarkable people and will share their reflections.
David Langan never set out to see the entire world. Being from Ireland, he was always fascinated with islands; he loved studying them and pinpointing their locations on maps. TCC’s list opened David’s eyes to the possibilities. “Yes, that’s me! I will do that!” Once he had that epiphany, there was no turning back!
“The more you travel, the more you’re driven to travel.” By age 15, Tim Carlson had already visited 62 countries and lived abroad for part of his childhood. Tim understood it was unique to have traveled so extensively at such a young age and longed to see more. Tim’s mantra, “I can do that,” propelled him to visit all TCC destinations, inspired him to persevere and drove him toward his goal. He admits that the commitment of time and money was enormous, but “I’m proud that I’ve seen the world.”
Past president Ron Endeman commented on the transformative nature of travel. “Not a day goes by without reflections on persons or places visited while reading, watching television or conversing with someone.” We meet fascinating people along the way. Ron traveled to Iran as part of a small group led by the New York Times travel editor, Elaine Sciolino, a renowned expert on this part of the world. “How blessed we are to form these lasting friendships that become even more dear with each passing year.”
Audrey Walsworth didn’t start travelling to go everywhere. “I had a list of where I wanted to go, and the more I travelled, the more places I wanted to go. My list grew longer. I rarely went back to places, rather, one trip led to another.” Audrey viewed the TCC list as a roadmap for places she might have missed. “If I’m headed to India, maybe I can start in the Andamans and include Lakshadweep before returning home.” Out-of-the-way places appealed to her, and she was never bothered when things didn’t go according to plan — inedible food or less-than-stellar accommodations — Audrey took all of this in stride.
“Life has been a series of competitions and completion of the TCC list was certainly one of them” for Bart Hackley. It made sense for him to tackle this competition “in the retirement period of life” when Bart had the time and money. There were doubts about whether completion was feasible, considering the many roadblocks he encountered along the way. Similar to Tim, Bart learned to persevere and keep traveling.
Don Parrish described this competitive spirit as “one where you are really competing with yourself, not against others.” He views this as one of the advantages of the TCC over other travel clubs; moreover, he loves the way TCC encourages members to keep traveling. Reaching deep into one’s self to overcome hardships.
Upon finishing the list, Rowland Burley summed it up best: “I guess I was quite relieved to get there. There’s a photo of me in the Centurian kissing the ground on arrival at Wake Island.” Rowland remarked that “no matter how much of the world one’s seen, there are always more amazing, interesting places still to go.” When asked what he is doing now? “I’m still traveling!”
Audrey shared the insight that it’s possible to do the same thing in a hundred different ways. “Different cultures drink tea, but they do so in their way.” Audrey was always interested in learning and “soaking up everything that a place has to offer.” She could find something of interest even in places others regarded as boring. She never regretted visiting a place.
Travel has been David’s university, learning experience, and opportunity to meet and befriend people with different backgrounds.“It has made me a better person because I can understand people and view the world through the perspectives of others.”
Many of us know Mark Twain’s quote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” Tim reflected on his willingness “to open his mind and gain a perspective about a place and the people who live there.” Ron brings it all together with his comment that “the TCC motto is as true today as when it was initially conceived: ‘World Peace: The Passport to Peace Through Understanding.’”
What motivates you to travel? How has travel contributed to the person you’ve become? Thank you for sending your comments to margobart@travelerscenturyclub.org.
