On trekking across the globe
In Robert Colwell’s Introduction to Backpacking, he asserts, “PLANNING and preparation are the necessary foundations of any successful backpacking trip.” This is true, but these skills are difficult to teach to first-time explorers. The best way to learn is simply by doing it, and those who have experienced living out of a backpack will know that the first expedition is entirely a learning experience.
I spent my three-and-a-half month summer roughing my way through seven countries in Asia and Europe. It was also my first time backpacking. I am by no means an expert, but I will convey some of the simple lessons I’ve learned through my numerous mistakes. Hopefully this will help the beginner backpacker evade some easily avoidable problems.
Pack light – This is the golden rule of backpacking; one must live by this motto if they wish to have a good trip. Depending on the size of the person, anything above 30 pounds will begin to feel uncomfortable. When on the road, there are two types of backpackers: those that struggle to walk around with their full 80-liter pack, and those that have the small, comfortable pack. The latter are always envied.
The key is to go through multiple rounds of shaving off unnecessary items. Ask yourself, 'Do I need this?' There are numerous essentials that can be easily found in lists online, but there are some non-essentials that can help immensely:
When hostel hopping, valuable time and money can be spent of finding and using laundromats. The easiest way to avoid this is to have a bar of soap to wash clothes in the sink or shower at hostels. This can be frowned upon however, so washing little bits at a time is key. Take however many pairs of underwear and socks you planned to bring and double it. Every article of clothing can be worn twice except these. To avoid the sock problem altogether, a pair of sandals can be very valuable in warm climates.
Compartmentalizing the small items brought makes it easier to find things without having to empty a large pack. A few extra Ziploc bags are always recommended. The standard backpacking load-out includes a daypack, a backpack for day trips and those items that require easy accessibility during travel (tickets, water, camera, etc.). This enables the traveler to explore cities free of their large pack after dropping it off at the hostel.
When on the road, dri-fit clothes fold up smaller, are lighter and dry much faster. This latter point is especially important since clothes are most often air-dried. Cotton stays wet for much longer.
Planning is the most essential part of ensuring a good trip. Many first time travelers think the point of backpacking is the freedom to roam. This is a valid point, but it is important to note that the best hostels, trains and flights are often over-booked well in advance, sometimes weeks before the intended date. If they are not completely booked, they will rise in price for short-notice bookings. Booking a trip two weeks ahead can mean staying in good, cheap places with central locations. Booking the day before can mean staying the worst of the worst.
When searching for the right hostel, the two most important factors are reviews and location. Reviews are the only source of non-biased information on the hostels and can often reveal intricacies not present in info pages. Is the host weird? Is the roof leaky? Reviews are the only way to find out.
A central location can change the entire experience of exploring a city. This can allow for visiting home throughout the day to shower or pick up some food. This is also very important for those that thrive on nightlife. In most cities, public transport will be the main mode of a backpacker’s transportation. Usually, these end around one in the morning, so having a far-away hostel can mean ending nights out rather early.
Each traveler’s monetary situation is different, but minimizing expenses can be important to everyone that chooses to travel for extended periods of time. A surprisingly large amount of money is spent on food, and this can be minimized my reducing and amount of times a traveler eats out, especially in touristy areas where the food is overpriced. Getting one’s food and alcohol from supermarkets will drastically reduce money spent. This means packing one’s lunch before going out. Along with this, it is very convenient to stay at hostels with kitchen access. This allows for cooking breakfast and dinner, a luxury largely taken for granted until it’s gone.
Depending on the area and country, problems with safety vary drastically. Regardless, it is important to know how to be safe in a foreign land. On the road, many people will stare. This is fine in populated areas in the daylight, but alone on the subway at one in the morning this can be a sign of danger. It is important to keep one’s confidence high during these scenarios. In some cases, it can even be helpful to stare back. It is important to assert one’s self as a strong individual in all scenarios.
In some countries, pickpocketing is a serious problem. In these places, it is important to keep one’s backpack closed, secure and preferably on one’s front side while on crowded public transport. In one country, for instance, my first encounter with a local brought some helpful advice: “Theft is a problem here, wear your backpack on your stomach.” The most important thing is to always look and be aware. Survey your surroundings and always know where you are and where your belongings are.
The last tidbit is simple, yet one of the most important things to do when traveling: find a map. In a new city this is a traveller’s first order of business. These are usually free at airport and train station information centers.
When backpacking for the first time, remember that it is a learning experience. It is like riding a bike, it takes practice. Keep your spirits up and enjoy the adventure. As many who have traveled before will agree, there is no feeling equal to that of exploring our marvelous planet.