The earth is the Lord’s – and I’m exploring it one country at a time!
An avid traveller, Silvano Griffith-Francis has visited 82 countries. She shares her most memorable, exciting and challenging experiences encountered on her many travels
Just before my eighth birthday, I moved from Greater Manchester to Barbados, where I lived for the next eight years of my life. One of the first things that struck me was the weather. It was December, and I had just left knee-deep snow. Now, I was somewhere the sun felt hotter than the hottest summer I’d ever experienced.
The other thing that stood out was the language. They spoke English, but it sounded completely different to what I was used to. The food was different; the way people dressed was different; and even the houses and landscape were very different. It felt like I was in another world, not just another country.
Then, at the age of 11, my dad took me to New York as a reward for doing well in my exams. This was my first visit to America, and once again I was struck by the differences – language, food, culture – all distinct from both the UK and Barbados. My young mind started to wonder: Is every country in the world completely different from the next? In that moment, I made a decision: When I grow up, I’ll go to every country and find out!
At the time, I had no idea about the realities – cost, time off work or responsibilities. I just knew I wanted to explore. So, after graduating and starting my career, I began pursuing that dream.
Backpacking was never really for me. I don’t travel first class, but I do appreciate a certain level of comfort. Instead of taking a year out, I decided to travel consistently – choosing a few new countries each year and making it work around my life. While destinations like Barbados and America became regular visits due to family ties, I’ve intentionally tried to prioritise new places, both financially and with my time.
Whenever I arrive somewhere new, there are a few things I always try to do. First, I eat as much local and traditional food as possible – even foods that might seem unusual. Camel meat, kangaroo, reindeer, puffin… I’ll try almost anything at least once, although insects remain a step too far!
I also love attending church while abroad. Even in non-English-speaking countries, I will find my way to a Sunday service. There’s something incredibly powerful about worshipping God in a completely different culture and still feeling that same sense of unity. It reminds me that faith truly transcends language and geography – Revelation 7:9 comes to mind.
Connecting with locals is also important to me, as is trying something adventurous, and I often bring home a pebble or small rock from each destination.
Travelling has opened my eyes in many ways. I used to think the UK was more advanced and knowledgeable than much of the world. That perception quickly changed! Visiting countries across Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, and China, showed me just how technologically advanced and innovative other nations are – often far beyond what I had imagined.
More than anything, travel has deepened my appreciation of God’s creation. Some of the landscapes I’ve seen have been nothing short of breathtaking. Driving along the Great Ocean Road in Australia remains one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had, and the Kravice Waterfalls in Bosnia were equally unforgettable. Then there are those unexpected, awe-inspiring moments – like being on a boat in Oman, when a dolphin and her calf swam alongside us for much of the journey, or seeing the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, lit up at night, creating a stunning atmosphere.
It’s not just the landscapes; it’s the people. The diversity in how we look, speak, eat and live is astonishing. Different cultures, traditions and ways of life continue to amaze me. And yet I’m reminded that we all come from the same Creator. Another Scripture that comes to mind is Psalm 24:1.
I’m often asked which country is my favourite, and honestly, it’s a difficult question. I love different places for different reasons, but Asia is my favourite continent. The food, the kindness and humility of the people, the landscape, the food… definitely worth a second mention!
Travel has also been incredibly educational. Before visiting Cambodia, I knew nothing about the Pol Pot regime. Standing in that country and learning its history firsthand was sobering and eye-opening. Similarly, visiting the DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) in South Korea and looking across into North Korea was a surreal experience – seeing two worlds so physically close, yet so vastly different. Visiting places where Jesus walked on a visit to Israel and Palestine brought the Bible to life in a new way – something I had only read about became something I had now seen and experienced.
Not every experience has been easy. There have been moments of fear. As a Christian, I know I’m not meant to fear, but I’ve definitely been challenged. India was one such place. The people were warm, welcoming and kind, but my personal fear of dogs made the experience difficult, especially in a country with the highest reported number of both stray dogs and cases of rabies. Despite this, I’m so grateful I pushed through. Seeing the Taj Mahal in person and experiencing the culture and food made it all worthwhile.
Russia presented a different kind of challenge. While not everyone we encountered was unkind, there were several openly racist interactions that left me feeling uneasy and, at times, fearful. But, through it all, I thank God for His protection. While Moscow was particularly difficult, our time in St Petersburg was much more positive.
Of course, not all cultural differences are challenging – some are simply amusing. In Bulgaria, nodding your head means no, while shaking it side to side means yes. In Japan, slurping your noodles loudly is considered a compliment to the chef. And, in Iceland, there’s even an app to check whether a potential partner is a relative, because the population is so small!
Over the years, I’ve travelled with my husband, family, friends and solo. I’ve learnt how to spot a good travel deal, which often requires flexibility – sometimes booking months in advance, and other times just a few weeks before departure.
As I write, I’ve just returned from Grenada, which my travel app tells me is the 82nd country I’ve visited. I used to cheat by counting places like Trinidad and Tobago separately, and even giving myself a pin for places like Borneo and Hawaii, which I refuse to believe is part of the USA (the 50th state)! The app is keeping me honest.
God has created a vast, beautiful and mysterious world. I’d encourage anyone reading this to explore as much of it as possible. While there is comfort in returning to familiar places, there is also incredible growth in stepping outside of that comfort zone. Discovering new countries can lead to new perspectives and a new understanding of both yourself and God.
You can subscribe to my YouTube channel, Silvano-On-The-Go (@SilvanoGF) for ideas on where to go and inspiration for what to do when you arrive.
SILVANO GRIFFITH-FRANCIS
Actress, author, speaker, facilitator and writing coach
