100 and Done! (Countries that is...)

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We are back! This last trip brought the total countries visited to 100! It is a crazy milestone. It is difficult, time-consuming and can be (IS) expensive. After I got back from Antarctica in 2007, I started thinking about it. After 2010 I was thinking about it more (as I moved from NY to Georgia) and in 2014 it had become a real goal. Between Angie and I we have been to 109 Countries. We are tied at 100 countries each. We have 9 countries different in our lists. For example, I have been to San Marino. She has not. She has been to Israel. I have not, yet. There has been some fun competition in this area. That's why we had to establish rules. 1.) Must be listed (as a country) with the US State Department 2.) Being in an airport doesn't count. You have to get through immigration somehow and not in a DMZ or a no-mans-land 3.) A passport stamp is not required. I have been to Canada, Paraguay, and Uruguay without getting my passport stamped. There are friendly borders in many places...
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I am in Jackson Minnesota. I noticed the metrodome is still collapsed as I flew into Minneapolis (MSP). Jackson is a 3 hour drive from MSP. The roads are pretty straightforward, not a whole lot to look at. I had lunch in Albert Lea MN. I figured I could find a Mexican restaurant and I did. I heard there are four of them in Albert Lea.

It is definately a tragedy in Christchurch NZ. I have pictures of the cathederal somewhere. I will dig them out. It being Februray people are coming off the ice to Christchurch. It is normal to spend a month in "Cheech" after you get off the ice. I sure hope folks in USAP are all ok. However, it appears there are USAP folks missing at this point. As a contractor, you are off-the-clock as soon as you set free in cheech. If you get killed in cheech you are on your own time. There would be no government benefits. They won't even ship your body to the US. They made these facts very clear to me.

I will be in the office Friday. I probably will be in the office for a couple of weeks. I certainly have a lot to do. I have a trip to Fargo ND and Baltimore MD booked. I have a lot to do in Europe. I will probably book a two-week trip in April.

I have been jumping between cold and hot the last two weeks, Brazil, NY, Atlanta, Florida, Minnesota. It is difficult to have the clothes you need and travel light, but I have learned to use sweaters and other layering techniques .

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