For some, 'tis travel time. The other day I discovered yet another ranking list, one I
would never have thought of.
It’s the ranking of passports. See here, and also here.
These rankings have to do with how many countries do not
require a visa from the passport holder. The more, the “better” the passport,
as in allowing its holder greater travel freedom.
Only about a third of Americans have a valid passport at any
time, and the feeling of belonging to a good or “best” country has little to do
with how many other nations approve of ours. But a good passport is no trifle.
I say this, because I know two people who are in the process
they hope will eventually give them a US passport, and loving what the country
stands for is less than half their impetus to undergo this lengthy and
expensive course.
Their number one reason is to have a passport that makes
travelling easier.
From birth I held (or was entitled to hold) two passports. One
is ranked 4th in passports, the other 17th. (Some
differences depending on which ranking, but the disparity is the same.) My love
for both countries is real. But, trust me, in the days I travelled more the passport
ranking did make a difference.
We take so much for granted. Being part of a strong country
is yet another thing to appreciate when it comes to life’s fortunes, which in
my case I hadn’t had to struggle for.
Americans are fortunate in many ways. This is just one more
to be grateful for.
