BY ANDY  TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

INDEPENDENCE — Ray Woods is one of the few people in the entire world who can hold a unique claim: whomever he meets on the street, the Independence man can say he has been in that person’s homeland.

On Aug. 5, Woods achieved a goal that had been more than 45 years in the making: he completed a journey that has taken him to 319 destinations across the world.

This includes 192 member states recognized by the United Nations — plus more than 120 other lesser-known destinations . . . from Andorra to Antarctica.

Woods completed his list of international visits when he stepped foot on the emerald glens of Scotland — a land that he saved for the end of his globe-trotting itinerary.

“A good part of my family heritage comes from Scotland,” he said.

Another part of his family lineages is deeply rooted in America, where his grandmother — who was part Cherokee — encouraged a young Ray Woods to tour the world.

“I was only age 4 or 5 at the time when my grandmother and I would look at the pages of National Geographic magazine,” he said. “We were just enthralled with all of the photographs taken across the world. My grandmother encouraged me to see all the countries and learn about people’s cultures . . . and then convey to other people upon returning from trips that all the people in the world are friendly. I knew she was right. Now I can confirm that, yes, the people of the world are friendly.”

Woods took that goal to heart when he made his first overseas trip in 1963. It was a trip through southeast Asia. Smitten by the allure of global travel, he lived in the Philippines as a member of the Peace Corps in the mid-1960s.

He continued to travel — off and on — while also owning and operating Woods Lumber Company and Independence Ready Mix in Independence during the bulk of his working career.

But, as Woods handed more of the management of his family business to his son, Mark, the Independence man renewed his interest in global travels. It has been in the past 10 years that Woods has taken a hard-core interest in spanning the globe. He became a member of the Travelers’ Century Club — a unique group of travelers who have visited 100 or more countries of the world.

Travelers’ Century Club members are honored by the club once they achieve a tour of 100 destinations.

But what about not only completing 100 countries but also completing the entire list of 319 recognized destinations in the world?

The Travelers’ Century Club website (www.travelerscenturyclub.org) recognized Woods with a “Special Award” designation.

But, for Woods, that honor is nothing compared to the gratification of knowing he has personally visited every country on the planet.

“I’m still trying to absorb the fact that I’ve been to every destination in the world,” he said. “It has been a dream for some time.”

Woods admits that he could write volumes about his travels to all of the nations of the world. But, when talking about his 45-plus years of traveling, a few anecdotes come to mind, especially for those nations that might not have been deemed “vacation stops” for most travelers.

This would include North Korea, Libya, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. Yes, Woods was an official tourist to those nations.

“I was the first Westerner to visit Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban,” he said. “And, I am one of the few Americans to have been able to go to the capital of Pyongyang in North Korea.”

One event comes to mind when he recalls his visit to North Korea. That nation’s leader, Kim Jong-il, hosted Woods and other tourists in an elaborate presentation of “Arirang,” which is based on an ancient Korean folk song, inside a stadium in the North Korean capital.

Woods was among the 30,000 spectators in the stadium. Kim Jong-il, who is known for his near obsession for theatrical performances, created a cast of 100,000 for the show.

“There were people everywhere outside the stadium,” he said. “I didn’t know that most of them were members of the cast.”

And, because North Korea’s culture — based heavily on Kim Jong-il’s personality — remains largely closed to the outside world, Woods said he observed something about the North Korean people as he sat in that stadium.

“Why did 30,000 people cram into a stadium to view the show?” he said. “You have to think upside down when it comes to people like Kim Jong-il. He made 30,000 of his own people attend that show. There was not choice in the matter.”

Woods also recalls a unique experience of feeding orphaned orangutans in an animal refuge in Borneo . . . and he also talks with a grin about making a “pit stop” in Sudan, an African nation that has no English writing on any signs.

“Trying to find the men’s room in the airport was quite an experience,” he said, laughingly. “And, I didn’t have a translator with me.”

His most fascinating journey took place earlier this year when he spent three weeks in Antarctica. Journeying to the southern tip of the world was a challenge in itself, he said. But, the reward was experiencing a desolate-albeit-beautiful region that has been largely unspoiled by humans, he said.

“Antarctica was definitely the most thrilling experience,” he said. “To think that I’m this guy from Kansas . . . and I’m out on the frozen ice with several other travelers who are observing Emperor penguins at the very bottom of the world. I would go back to Antarctica again, no doubt about it. It is a truly fascinating place.”

So, why does Woods love being a global journeyman? It’s not about being a tourist (in fact, he admits that he hasn’t taken many photographs of his travels). He does it as a learning experience.

“I talk to the common people in each country,” he said. “That means learning about that nation by visiting with the bus driver, or the taxi cab driver. I learn a lot about that nation just by talking and listening.”

Now that Woods has visited every nation and recognized destination on the globe, does he plan to slow down and rest? Not at all. In fact, Woods said he is planning an extended trip to the Philippines in the winter — to visit the nation where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer 45 years ago.