Beyond The Hole

Urban Backpacking Wisdom

November 15, 2002 @ 03:57 AM

Train-riding, hostel-sleeping, lonely-planet-toting, euro-tourists often describe themselves as backpackers. But they aren’t. Not backpackers in the real sense of the word. Sure they have backpacks, and they carry their stuff around in these backpacks, but they don’t truly live out of their packs. When I hear the word backpacker, I envision some hardy soul trekking cross-country through harsh climes with food, water, clothing — everything they need to sustain life — right there on their backs. These sorts of backpackers would frown on tourists calling themselves such, but then again I might be wrong.

In any case, to avoid confusion I prefer to refer to this form of lesser backpacking as urban backpacking. And when I say lesser, I don’t mean to imply that it is any less difficult, less rewarding, or those that engage in it are less ambitious, less capable, or less human — because I have found none of these to be true. Urban backpacking is simply a vastly different game then its outdoor cousin, played on a different field with different rules and different rewards. What follows is the accumulated wisdom of my nine weeks spent urban backpacking Europe.

Go solo. Or, at least be prepared to go it on your own. Traveling with a friend will ease your introduction, but will also let you ignore your weaknesses. Also, depending on your friend and the dynamics of your relationship, you may feel obligated to accommodate them too often. Holidays are short, make the most of your time. Travelling solo is an empowering experience. You may not always be having fun, but you’ll come away a stronger person.

Your journal is your friend. Often your only friend. You probably want to return home sanity intact, doing so requires a journal. Apply your journal daily whenever you have a rash of loneliness or become homesick. If you don’t speak the native language of the country you’re traveling in, you’ll miss intelligible conversation with humans. Instead “talk” to your journal. Give it a name. Don’t lose it. Additionally, I’d also recommend bringing a small pair of scissors, a glue stick, roll of scotch tape, and a spare pen. Then when while you’re writing about the places you’ve been, things you’ve learned, the people you meet, and other hard to remember details — you can glue notes, scrapes, pressed-flowers, dead bugs — whatever tangible bits you come across — right there in your journal! One warning, if you are lucky enough to meet any attractive members of the opposite sex, refrain from writing about how you fancy them until you’re on the train to the next town — they just might pounce on you and read it!

Two pairs of underwear is enough. One for wearing, the other for hanging on the outside of your backpack to dry. Not only is this fashionable, it also serves to let your peers know that, you too are a tourist and likely speak English. Believe it or not, underwear drying on your pack will find you new friends.