Korean Job Discussion Forums

[.38 Special]

Backpackers -- what's the deal?

I know the basics. I know that they're travelers on the cheap who carry much of what they need on their back and in their pockets, stay in hostels, and typically travel by foot, bus, and trains.

But who are they? Upper-middle class kids with trust funds? Where do they get their money and how do some folks spend months without an income? Is it possible for working-class folks to swing such trips on a shoestring budget?

How do they do it? How do they get around so far and, apparently, so well informed that their trips are fast-paced, sometimes covering huge areas?

How much money would one need to, say, spend 3 months in S. America or S. E. Asia?

I've read some blogs that had backpacking involved but took for granted that this uninvited reader was mystified by the whole process. How was that young woman covering so much ground, so well coordinated, and so efficiently, with a single book, "Lonely Planet."

Needless to say I've taken quite an interest to this strange past time, and I'm much obliged for any insight you can afford me.

[Banana_Man]

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[Banana_Man]

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[Banana_Man]

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[Kurtz]

Backpackers are simply people who choose to travel with a backpack, enabling them to have their hands free, and to look like a "real" traveller.

I always use a backpack as it's just so handy, but more importantly, I always go hiking so I can hardly have a suitcase on my back can I?

Backpackers will tell you they get off the beaten path, are "travellers" rather than "tourists" yet 90% follow the same old path written in their travelling Bible, The Lonely Planet.

Don't think backpackers are poor; many are very wealthy but just see backpacking as a fun thing to do, the term "flashpacker" comes to mind.

That's not to say there aren't poverty backpackers, some people honestly have so little money they shouldn't be on the road, no travel insurance and rely on other people if things go pear shaped. These pitiful creatures argue black and blue with some 3rd worlder just to save a few cents, disgusting!. I once saw a guy get angry as the room was too much (it was 1 English pound!) for him.

Travelling these days is just so so easy. There are so many people doing it, countless places around the world (especially in Asia, perhaps the easiest place to travel) helping you on your way such as guest houses, hostels, endless sources of information on the internet, and many people travelling to guide you on the way.

Three months in SE Asia could cost you as little as 2 million won, maybe even less but that's staying in cheap places, and treating your trip like an accountant justifying every penny spent, rather than as a holiday which costs money due to sampling local delights and bringing home the odd momento.

[.38 Special]

Thank you for the informative post, Kurtz.

If I were to go backpacking and have myself an adventure, I think I'd spend more money. To me food is a big part of the appeal of traveling. Maybe I've seen too many episodes of No Reservations, or because Sushi gives me gastoral orgasms, but I would probably spend most of my money on chow.

Who knows, maybe six months from now I could be squatting in a cloud forest with my pertinent worldly possessions strapped to my back, shivering, and wondering what kind of dumbass would do such a thing

I'm overdue for an adventure.

[prideofidaho]

I'm gearing up for what might turn out to be a year of backpacking. I guess the reason why is that it's the most logical way to see a lot of the world as possible whilst not spending a tonne of cash. I'm going with my partner, so we're able to share the cost of lodging, and we've also shared the cost of a tent and some basic camping materials so we can rough it when we need to.

I think saving money isl part of it but you've got to have another valuable asset, and that's time. And after the next few months we'll have next to nothing but time.

Some people mgiht scoff at the LP routes, but why fix something that's not broken? I don't travel to be the 'first' to have ever been somewhere, it's not a competition, it's a journey.

[.38 Special]

[curiousaboutkorea]

[prideofidaho]

[jugbandjames]

I've spent some time backpacking in Europe. Actually, most of the people backpacking and staying at hostels in Europe are being supported by their parents, but not all. The way I afforded it was I taught at an American community college, so I was able to save up about 6k, take the summer off, and still have a job when I got back. I got a standby flight, and I brought a bicycle and a tent with me (got out of the baggage fee for the bike on the way over, but not on the way back). I couldn't afford to stay at hostels, which were anywhere from 20-50 bucks a night. Instead, I stayed at campgrounds when in cities (about 10 bucks a night or less), couchsurfed (couchsurfing.org), and camped for free (sometimes illegally depending on the country, although I never got fined).

I also met a guy through couchsurfing who had just come back from backpacking through South America for 3 years! He camped, traveled by bicycle, and WOOFed, and spent and an average of 2k euros per year.

So you can definitely do it for cheap, but you have to be creative and willing to give up some luxuries. I only did it for a couple of months, but I was essentially a bicycling hobo.

[.38 Special]

Some excellent advice all around. I'm glad to hear it is indeed less expensive than $50 USD per day as some of my search results had turned up. I'm also glad to read that backpackers aren't the devil himself (another impression lent the casual observer hereabouts ).

Here is a question that is perhaps more subjective... how do you do it alone? Isn't the open country a little frightening without a comrade to watch your back?

How many of you have worked while on extended adventures? School teachers, translator, exotic prostitute?

@jugbandjames - Good on ya for carrying your own balls, chief. That's a way there to really take advantage of that summer break.

Thank you all for your time, this is some of the finest reading I've found on the subject.

[Forward Observer]

I knew a trustafarian once. He'd been all over the world. Lucky guy.

[.38 Special]

[oldfatfarang]

OP. I backpacked solo (and with my girl) for 10 years. We went round the world 3 times - hitching, camping, hiking, you name it. We flew over water, and local bused or hitch-hiked throughout SE Asia, Europe, Central Asia, Africa, Scandanavia, Australasia and South America. We slept under the stars, in tents, in ditches - and in dangerous places, in cheap huts, hotels or short-time hotels. A fantastic adventure. A whole life-time of adventure and danger rolled into 10 magical years.

However, in that time, I saw 'backpacking' change. It's no longer the preserve of the free spirits with little money - backpacking is now a multi-billion dollar industry catering for educated middle class kids on their gap year (year off). These are the Lonely Planet crowd, and if your using the LP as a guide book - you'll soon get sick of having to live in the same accommodation, travel on the same transport, and eat in the same LP recommended restaurants as them.

The good news is that the world is still a very big place. I still use LP guidebooks, but I just it for their (usually) excellent maps. I can fully recommend the African LP, as it's really big, and it's full of useless information, and it was very handy when my girlfriend used it to beat up a guy who was robbing her.

On travelling solo. You will never be lonely when you travel. Especially if you're hitch hiking. There are some incredibly kind people, all over the world - and you'll meet them hitching - and just walking around countries. However, you'll also meet some very bad boys and girls - we were robbed 12 times in 10 years.

Go for it. You'll never be the same once you've backpacked/travelled. The only trouble is when you eventually go home: no one is going to understand what it's like to hitch hike the length of the Amazon River, or to climb a mountain and be blessed by a Tibetan monk, or to have a 14 year old African boy put a rifle to your head. But these memories will live with you for ever - I guarantee you that.