Every day, around 3.5 million travelers cross countrywide borders. Traveling to over 150 countries for years changes how you view the world and your role in it. It is not only about beautiful places or famous sights.
Many wanderers find that the small, unnoticed moments can teach us the most. One of the famous travel enthusiasts, Petro Richard Kostiv, explains his journey as a personal quest for humility, flexibility, and empathy. Traveling widely doesn’t just alter your environment—it transforms you.
Each place adds its unique touch to the bigger picture, revealing a powerful lesson: the world is huge, yet connected in surprising and inspiring ways. Let’s see how Petro Richard sees his personal journey and shares his experiences of the eternal journey.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Traveling to a hundred and fifty countries made him gain experience from small moments and encounters that no book can offer.
- Different cultures have specific beliefs; respecting them is basic.
- Traveling with less stuff is more convenient, particularly in situations like delayed flights or long roadway journeys.
Exploring 150 Countries
Spending years on different paths and moving through nearly 150 countries teaches more than guidebooks ever could. Each stopover added a new layer of understanding about the world and how people live in it. From jam-packed cities in Asia to quiet villages in Africa, the expedition brought constant exposure to new ways of thinking and living.
The goal wasn’t just to count different nations but to collect insights—conversations, small moments, and encounters that made lasting impressions. Walking through a spice marketplace in Morocco or navigating a tuk-tuk commute in Thailand built a deeper appreciation for daily life far from home. Over time, the mission becomes less about where you go and more about how you grow.
Learning Respect Through Cultural Differences
Traveling across so many destinations meant constantly stepping into unfamiliar territory, not just map-wise but socially and culturally. Meal rituals, greeting customs, even ideas of personal space varied dramatically—and learning to look around before acting made all the difference. In Japan, silence throughout meals felt like reverence, while in Brazil, the open warmth of strangers turned unexpected encounters into lasting memories.
There were moments where miscommunication could happen—like offering a left-handed handshake in some regions of the Middle East or wearing shoes indoors in certain Asian homes. These small missteps eventually become valuable lessons, reminding me to slow down and watch how locals interact instead of jumping in. Adapting becomes its second nature, and with it comes a more profound sense of respect for people and their traditions.
Traveling Light and Staying Flexible
Years of travel teach that the less you carry, the more independent you feel. A single well-packed backpack consistently served better than a suitcase full of unnecessary items. Plans change constantly. Buses were missed, flights were delayed, and the weather rarely cooperated.
But those disruptions sometimes led to the most unforgettable experiences, like an unexpected overnight stay in rural Nepal during a monsoon or a last-minute invitation to a local festival in Georgia.
Being flexible allowed the journey to evolve naturally, without the pressure of rigid itineraries. Some of the best impressions came from detours never planned on a map. Letting go made the road feel smoother in more ways than one. It became easier to stay present, to witness the details others might miss, like the fragrance of street food or the rhythm of a local language.
Finding Common Ground
Despite language limitations or cultural gaps, certain experiences echoed everywhere. A grandmother serving tea in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, a child giggling in the streets of Havana, or families gathering around food in Sicily—these episodes revealed a kind of universal rhythm.
Hospitality wasn’t constrained by geography, and kindness often required no translation. Gestures, smiles, and shared silences spoke volumes. Even in communities where communication was restricted to gestures and smiles, connection still happened.
Listening to music, sharing meals, or simply watching a sunset with someone from another part of the world created bonds that did not rely on words. These encounters reaffirmed that beneath the surface, people everywhere want to be respected, understood, and welcomed.
Overcoming Roadblocks
Not every day went effortlessly, and that was part of the lesson. Lost passports, missed flights, or falling ill far from home could all derail plans instantly. In those moments, it was not comfort or planning that made the difference—it was mindset.
Staying calm and resourceful became more useful than any app or guidebook. The capability to laugh at setbacks made recovery less challenging and the days more memorable. In rural Bolivia, a bus broke down miles from the nearest town, compelling a long walk through unfamiliar terrain.
Initially frustrating, it turned into a gentle trek through breathtaking landscapes, shared with locals who ultimately turned out to be generous and helpful. Challenges like these tested patience but also highlighted the resilience that most people do not know they have until it’s required.
How many countries has Petro Richard Kostiv visited?
As an avid traveler, he has traveled across 150 countries to date.
Was language a barrier to him?
Yes, many times, miscommunication occurred due to language barriers.
What did he learn from traveling to different places and communities?
He says that one must respect other communities’ culture and traditions.
