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]

+1

[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]