The Science of "Backpacking"

[mwc187]

Odd question, but I really have no idea what this entails. Is it basically packing a bag full of essentials and literally living out of it, traveling across an idea? I mean, do you work? Where do you sleep? Is this safe? Is it a miserable experience?

I would love to travel across Europe, but I feel it would take years, because I would need to find a place to live and get a good job in order to sustain myself. I mean, what does it take? And whats the best way to experience other cultures?

[Allyssa]

Back packing -- from my perspective, the definition can be much of whatever you want it to be. I know some people work a while in each place to help support their travels. Others just pack super light, as you said, essentials only, and pay for the touring from savings (or whatever stash of cash they have). It also partly depends on how long you intend to "backpack". A couple weeks may not break the bank, but if you are planning to be gone for a year, working would probably be a good idea. I am planning a trip with a friend next summer and we hope to stay in hostels some, crash at friends' places some, and perhaps do some couch surfing. (Also there is no rule about not sleeping on the train ride from place to place!)
I think safety is largely common sense. Be smart, be respectable, and be observant of how people generally behave in that culture. A little common sense can go a long way. If you travel with someone that you know and trust, there is that added level of security too.

Have fun planning your trip (and don't wait till your 105 to do it!)

Allyssa

[jennychic]

All I can feel from backpacking is . Freeeeedom!

[vitriol]

For me, the easiest and most enjoyable way to do it is to pack only essentials, and stay in cheap hostels. You'll meet lots of great people, see incredible things, and all that for a lot less money than you'd think. I am presently on a 6 months trip that will cost me well below 10 000US$ with the flights tickets included. I will have visited amsterdam, russia, mongolia, beijing, japan, thailand, laos, vietnam, kuala lumpur, sydney new-zealand, fidji islands, and L.A. . Visit airtreks dot com (that's where I bought my flight tickets) and start dreaming!

[republican]

Ahhh backpacking I love thee so. Backpacking is when you take a backpack and pack it with clothes and anything else you fancy pick a destination and go.
Backpackers usually tend to stay in hostels-a cheap place where you can meet fellow travelers.

[olsonbeast]

Do a google search "lifeisgrand wine tour", it documents our 8 months backing trip through the southern hemisphere. Backpacking has a culture all of its own and you'll never be the same after experiencing it.

[namaki]

So all of you who have done this before: where do you start planning? I'm looking into spending a couple months (2 and a half) in Europe. I looked into the Global Eurail pass. I just don't know where to start planning. any ideas?

[republican]

Looking into passes is a great place to start. There are many different types of passes in terms of length and places covered.
My steps would be:
1)Consider how much time and money you have

2)Think about WHERE you want to go and what you want to see. Do you wanna go to Paris? Have you ever wanted to see the leaning tower of Pisa? Once you have done this jot down what you want to see and all the countries they are in.

3)Think about how long you want to spend in Europe considering you now know what you want to do and see (and maybe allow yourself a little extra time).

4)Find a pass that best suits your needs.

Once you've completed step 2, you can look into things like where to stay and start planing how long you want to give to each destination.

I hope it all goes well for you!

By the way mwc187-I thought I would answer your questions as they were asked.

Odd question, but I really have no idea what this entails.
Basically as has been said its packing a bag and going somewhere

do you work?

You can do it depends-I have heard of some travelers volunteering at a hostel in exchange for a room.

Where do you sleep?

Most travelers will use hostels-cheap places with dorm rooms. Hostels vary in quality.

Is this safe? Is it a miserable experience?
It tends to be safe it depends on where you go and how safe you are. I would totally get advice on countries before you go though. Is it a miserable experience? Well that depends on where you go and the type of traveler you are. For sure backpacking is not for everyone. Me? I love it and could not imagine life without it.

I mean, what does it take?
A desire to see new things, meet new people and grow. It takes a lot of things but I think those attributes will help. Thats not to say non backpackers don't have these attributes either (don't feel bad is its not for you) but it helps.