In defence of Backpacking
April 7th 2008 12:46
Category: No Category
The serial travel blogger on Sydney Morning Herald ran a piece on "Travelling, or just Wasting Time?"
The post discuss the habits of backpackers in general, that seem to appear to have travelled to most of the countries in the world, yet the only places they've been in are pubs and the street gutter (the morning after). His friend Dan, seem to have a thing with them, especially those who stay in hostels. "lazy bastards" he called them.
Damn. And I am one of them.
Yes, backpackers have a filthy image. From drinking to fighting to wasting a lot of time recovering from both to dorm room sex. There is no getting away in trying to defend the reputation of backpackers these days.
But can I at least defend mine?
I must say, yes, all the above convictions are correct to certain groups of backpackers, and I admit I am guilty of being the typical backpacker from time to time. However, I always make sure that I also see the place as well, even with a heavy hang over.
I am a backpacker because I choose to. I like the challenge of having to manage my own trips, the challenge of getting my 20 kg backpack onto a crowded Vietnamese bus and the challenge of not having someone there to hold my hand and can still find my way around the busy streets of Italy. However I assure you that I really do make the best of my trips, to the point that I simply stopped spending money on drinking so that I have enough money the next day to get a train out on a day trip.
So spare some love for the rest of us that actually backpack and travel. I promise to keep to the way I am, and up hold the reputation of backpackers
The post discuss the habits of backpackers in general, that seem to appear to have travelled to most of the countries in the world, yet the only places they've been in are pubs and the street gutter (the morning after). His friend Dan, seem to have a thing with them, especially those who stay in hostels. "lazy bastards" he called them.
Damn. And I am one of them.
Yes, backpackers have a filthy image. From drinking to fighting to wasting a lot of time recovering from both to dorm room sex. There is no getting away in trying to defend the reputation of backpackers these days.
But can I at least defend mine?
I must say, yes, all the above convictions are correct to certain groups of backpackers, and I admit I am guilty of being the typical backpacker from time to time. However, I always make sure that I also see the place as well, even with a heavy hang over.
I am a backpacker because I choose to. I like the challenge of having to manage my own trips, the challenge of getting my 20 kg backpack onto a crowded Vietnamese bus and the challenge of not having someone there to hold my hand and can still find my way around the busy streets of Italy. However I assure you that I really do make the best of my trips, to the point that I simply stopped spending money on drinking so that I have enough money the next day to get a train out on a day trip.
So spare some love for the rest of us that actually backpack and travel. I promise to keep to the way I am, and up hold the reputation of backpackers
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