In our quest to hit 24 countries in 24 months I decided I needed to set some ground rules. As we've started making our way through this journey a few conversations with people made me realize two things.
1. Do previously visited Countries or repeats count?
We measure a country visit from the date of move going forward. July 1st 2011. If we had visited that country prior to that date we treat it as "new" for this blogs purpose. For example, we had been to France before so last weekends trip counts as one of the 24 since it is "new" since July 1st. When we go back to France now it will not count again. Technically we could then count the US under these rules but we won't since that also feels like cheating.
2. What constitutes a visit?
Generally speaking I like to use the Eat, Fuck, Piss Test (EFP - I may need to site this in future blogs). If you've done any ONE of those things in a county you visited. Exceptions include airports. Layovers in airports don't count. It would be like visiting an Embassy and saying you've been to that country. Consider airports the twilight zone, they exist but in a parallel universe where they exist but don't.
Drive throughs...if you drive through a country even if only briefly does it count? There is a sliding scale. You drive over the border into a country for 20 min and pass back out have you been? Well this may be a good time to see the guidelines. Time does matter here but to be safe get out piss on a rock to mark your territory have a snack and a quickie (EPF Trifecta) and be on your way. Passport stamped you've been there.
3. What the hell counts as a Country?
This actually becomes harder. Many conversations with many people from different parts of the world gets very different answers, some with threat of violence. It can be very sticky if you chalk up a "Country" as a territory or other inadequate label. I'll start with what to an American seems like easy logic. England is a Country but the UK currently contains: England, Norther Ireland, Wales, Scotland. So upon entering Scotland I'm willing to chalk up Scotland as a Country (why they gave themselves back to the UK after William Wallace fought so hard I'll never know) but for some reason Wales doesn't seem to cut the mustard? If you go to Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland can you count each on separately (remember the threat of violence if you get it wrong, both from the Unionists and the Republic). Some people say no to Northern Ireland since it is just part of "the UK".
To help us here we have Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country
"England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (in the United Kingdom) are examples of entities that are not sovereign states, but which are commonly regarded and referred to as countries.[11][12][13][14] Former states such as Bavaria (now part of Germany) and Piedmont (now part of Italy) would not normally be referred to as "countries" in contemporary English."
Yeah, that clears it up.
I'll give you some other examples to stir your head.
Vatican City - City, Country or Papel Lodge?
Puerto Rico & Guam - Been US territories since 1898
Monaco - Tax haven and general James Bond hang out or Country?
Taiwan, Nepal, Palestine - Politically not recognized depending on if you ask China or Israel.
Canada - 51st State - Just kidding, wanted to see if Mary, Peter and the Gosselin's are paying attention.
UN recognizes 193 and the USA recognizes 196:
Let me know what you think? Using the vague rules of engagement on criteria #3 our list then looks like this so far:
England #1 (EPF)
Northern Ireland / Republic of Ireland #2 and #3? (for now this counts as one) (EPF)
Holland #3 (EPF)
Poland #4 (EPF)
Denmark #5 (EP) - I was cranky.
Hungary #6 (EPF)
France #7 (EPFFFF) They don't call it the city of love for nothing.
Spain #8 - coming in two weeks.
Until we get a ruling from you all we'll err on the side of conservancy.....at least until we near the end of our journey and we have to revise like mad to hit the 24.
1. Do previously visited Countries or repeats count?
We measure a country visit from the date of move going forward. July 1st 2011. If we had visited that country prior to that date we treat it as "new" for this blogs purpose. For example, we had been to France before so last weekends trip counts as one of the 24 since it is "new" since July 1st. When we go back to France now it will not count again. Technically we could then count the US under these rules but we won't since that also feels like cheating.
2. What constitutes a visit?
Generally speaking I like to use the Eat, Fuck, Piss Test (EFP - I may need to site this in future blogs). If you've done any ONE of those things in a county you visited. Exceptions include airports. Layovers in airports don't count. It would be like visiting an Embassy and saying you've been to that country. Consider airports the twilight zone, they exist but in a parallel universe where they exist but don't.
Drive throughs...if you drive through a country even if only briefly does it count? There is a sliding scale. You drive over the border into a country for 20 min and pass back out have you been? Well this may be a good time to see the guidelines. Time does matter here but to be safe get out piss on a rock to mark your territory have a snack and a quickie (EPF Trifecta) and be on your way. Passport stamped you've been there.
3. What the hell counts as a Country?
This actually becomes harder. Many conversations with many people from different parts of the world gets very different answers, some with threat of violence. It can be very sticky if you chalk up a "Country" as a territory or other inadequate label. I'll start with what to an American seems like easy logic. England is a Country but the UK currently contains: England, Norther Ireland, Wales, Scotland. So upon entering Scotland I'm willing to chalk up Scotland as a Country (why they gave themselves back to the UK after William Wallace fought so hard I'll never know) but for some reason Wales doesn't seem to cut the mustard? If you go to Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland can you count each on separately (remember the threat of violence if you get it wrong, both from the Unionists and the Republic). Some people say no to Northern Ireland since it is just part of "the UK".
To help us here we have Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country
"England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (in the United Kingdom) are examples of entities that are not sovereign states, but which are commonly regarded and referred to as countries.[11][12][13][14] Former states such as Bavaria (now part of Germany) and Piedmont (now part of Italy) would not normally be referred to as "countries" in contemporary English."
Yeah, that clears it up.
I'll give you some other examples to stir your head.
Vatican City - City, Country or Papel Lodge?
Puerto Rico & Guam - Been US territories since 1898
Monaco - Tax haven and general James Bond hang out or Country?
Taiwan, Nepal, Palestine - Politically not recognized depending on if you ask China or Israel.
Canada - 51st State - Just kidding, wanted to see if Mary, Peter and the Gosselin's are paying attention.
UN recognizes 193 and the USA recognizes 196:
Let me know what you think? Using the vague rules of engagement on criteria #3 our list then looks like this so far:
England #1 (EPF)
Northern Ireland / Republic of Ireland #2 and #3? (for now this counts as one) (EPF)
Holland #3 (EPF)
Poland #4 (EPF)
Denmark #5 (EP) - I was cranky.
Hungary #6 (EPF)
France #7 (EPFFFF) They don't call it the city of love for nothing.
Spain #8 - coming in two weeks.
Until we get a ruling from you all we'll err on the side of conservancy.....at least until we near the end of our journey and we have to revise like mad to hit the 24.
2 comments:
What are the chances I EPF this Nov/Dec when I visit?
You only need one of the EPF to qualify. However I'm sure if you try hard we can hit the trifecta.
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