RE: How travel changed my taste.
You got me thinking about which countries I've lived in or visited and my list is also quite extensive (and yet I don't feel as if I've seen enough of the world - I would have liked to visit more of South America and Asia.)
My list: Kenya, Tanganyika (Tanzanai), Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Emirates (two of them), India, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Venezuela, USA (East and West, not in the middle), Greece, Italy, Monte Carlo, France Switzerland, Belgium, Holland (Nederlands), Germany, Austria, UK (inc Scotland), Denmark, some countries that no longer exist, like Yugoslavia.
The man I worked for in Sydney, was impressed by my travels and thought they must have made me wise. Unfortunately it was and is not true - Travelling does not even teach you much, if you do not take the time and try to learn about the people of each country. I get the impression that this is exactly what you have tried to do, so I guess you are better off than me (mentally).
In all other ways you are better off because of having a delightful daughter, while I have not had a child of my own, despite wanting one.
Always happy when you stop by my friend, I can only imagine the sadness from not having a child. I do remember you saying the same when I arrived here 50 odd days ago.
When I travel or live somewhere, I tend to stay off the tourist path, and mix in with the locals, that is my way to get a feel of the "real" if you like. I see the all inclusive crowd, that have a view of the beach while being fenced into some prison like compound, getting served free cheap beer all day, well that was never for me. I have missed quite a few countries off that list, as they are stop overs like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Emirates. I used to have the Emirates loyalty called, as I used them 4-6 times a year, and spent a lot of stop overs in Dubai. Though a stop over for me does not count, as a true visit. Keep well my friend, really glad you stopped by. Thank you.