Would You Backpack?
@wondericequeen (7876)
Hong Kong
August 20, 2007 1:02am CST
Did you dream of backpacking to some foreign countries? Would you consider backpacking? If so, where would you love to go and when would you plan to do it? If not, why not?
I would love to backpack one day just to wander around Europe and Turkey. It would be so much fun and exciting! I will start saving money and hopefully I could do it before I am 35.
2 people like this
8 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
20 Aug 07
Yes, do this while you are young! Just don't go alone. When I was 20-something, I found a ticket stub that had been used as a bookmark in a library book. It was a round-trip ticket to Mazatlan for the equivalent of $16 USD. The trip was 3 nights and 2 days on a bus! My husband didn't want to go, but I insisted then that I would just go by myself. At the last minute, of course, he changed his mind and came along, with a bag full of peanut butter sandwiches. The bus ride down was quite an adventure, with the bus breaking down several times and hostilities at various check points along the way. When we finally arrived several thousand miles later, there we were alone with our backpacks in the back of a Mexican bus station at 5 a.m. But we could hear the ocean waves and in a few blocks we could feel the mist. Then suddenly we saw this:
http://www.browncsa.com/albums/album32/mazatlan.jpg
It was an awesome trip, but we ditched the unused return tickets and took an airplane back. We both had a wonderful time and a few years later it was my husband who suggested that we should go to Mazatlan again. The second time, however, we flew both ways and carried suitcases instead of backpacks. Our first trip was the most memorable, though. By all means, do it!
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 07
Wonderful listening to your story! I think what makes backpacking the most enjoyable, it's all the excitement and trying to localize with the culture there instead of being a total tourist! I would love to do it someday but it's hard to find a buddy. If I can't find one, I think I would be old enough to travel alone. Let's see how it goes!
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
20 Aug 07
Good for you, but please do find a reliable buddy, because there are many predators looking for prey, and unfortunately in most parts of the world it is still considered improper for a young woman to travel alone. I have done some traveling alone but there have always been some scary episodes. It is not right that we have to live this way, but I think it is better to be safe than sorry. It is best to go with a friend.
1 person likes this
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 07
Yep, it's best to have a traveling buddy and hopefully I could find one by the time I want to go on the road! I can't imagine how much fun that would be.
@wdiong (1815)
• Singapore
20 Aug 07
Unfortunately, I'm not the adventurous sort. I would rather join a tour and have most of the itinery planned out for me and have the peace of mind that I get to stay at some decent hotel,especially when I have two kids who will be tagging along:)
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 07
Right, if you have two kids, it's better not to be adventurous! I love to join tour if I don't want to use my brain, but that doesn't happen too often! I just hate that they are rushing and rushing all the time.
@dpk262006 (58678)
• Delhi, India
20 Aug 07
Yes, if I could do this..it would be a wonderful experience to visit other countries. I have never been abroad...but I wish to visit different countries, if I could.
1 person likes this
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 07
I would love to visit India if I could! That would be a very interesting place to see and check out the cultures and people! I personally love the scenes of it on TV.
@lazywalt99 (177)
• United States
20 Aug 07
When I was a young kid (in college) I frequently backpacked, and backpacked throughout all of the continents (with the exception of Antarctica). However, now that I'm an old man, I'm accustomed to having certain luxuries and comforts, so I'm not sure I could backpack again.
1 person likes this
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 07
Really? You have been to all of the continents? It must be such a memorable experience! Which country do you love most?
@someincome (785)
• India
20 Aug 07
I have not thought about backpacking to a foreign country, but I like doing that to nearby locations. Now I think of it and it sounds like a good idea. Experiencing different cultures while backpacking would be fun thing to do.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
20 Aug 07
I would absolutely love to backpack, and plan on doing so as soon as I can (ie, when I'm out of school with a little big of money saved up!
I plan on backpacking through Europe as well, and through the UK, probably with my partner or some of my life-long friends. =D
1 person likes this
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 07
That would be so much fun! Yes do that when you are out of school and before working, it would be the best time! I regret that I didn't do that when I was out of school!
@youless (112561)
• Guangzhou, China
20 Aug 07
I love backpacking. I don't think I can have a long time for it because of work and family. I can't have so long time leave. Besides, my son is very little and I have to responsible to him and therefore I can't have a travel for a long time. Wish you can fulfill my dream:)
@bucketkid (237)
• Australia
20 Aug 07
I'd LOVE to backpack.
Also with my friends or my partner (if I have one when i decide to set out)
I'd like to do it before I get a full time job so that I have the freedom to do what I like and then come home to 'settle down' for a few years.
1 person likes this
