A GLOBETROTTER'S TOP PLACETORETIRE:NORTHAFRICA

摘要

My most prixed pos- session is my passport-its bulging, brown-edged pages a result of time spent in dusty places and of many hands touching it. Hands like those of the young Iranian customs official who paged through it, reviewing every country I'd visited. "Our friends!" he said of Yemen. Then, with abemused smile he asked, "Why do you go to these places?" I used to have the goal of visiting 100 countries and all 50 states in my lifetime. Five years ago that seemed unattainable. But I've been lucky in my job as a journalist: I travel for a living. I've met friends who open my eyes to situations and stories I'd never understand had I stayed home. Now, with 76 national "stamps" and 42 states, I'm on my way.