The other day, GoBudgetTravel asked “Is the Backpack Even Necessary“, which followed a post from this summer ” What Backpacking Is and Is Not“. Both of these were interesting reads. As far as what backpacking is, his #1 point is the one with which I agree the most:

A budget travel strategy that stresses blending in, and living like the people to develop a . . . → Keep Going: Backpacking and Backpacks…]]> I *know* I’ve added “backpacking” as a category more than once now, yet it never shows in my category list. It’s under “Travel and Tourism” but for some reason, sub headers don’t show here. Weird. Anyway…

The other day, GoBudgetTravel asked “Is the Backpack Even Necessary“, which followed a post from this summer ” What Backpacking Is and Is Not“. Both of these were interesting reads. As far as what backpacking is, his #1 point is the one with which I agree the most:

A budget travel strategy that stresses blending in, and living like the people to develop a better understanding of the culture.

and I think that’s a big part of what feeds the travel v. tourism debate. Although I still feel strongly that there’s so much more to a destination than what is in a guidebook, I feel somewhat guilty slagging on tourists since I want to work in tourism. I think there is more to tourism development than meets the eye, unfortunately I don’t think that fits nicely in an ASP Proposal. I love coming up with lists of upcoming events for international journalists and/or for promotion for tour operators, but I question how much some of these activities teach you about [insert destination here]. It’s a personal bias I’m sure, but I feel I learned a lot more interacting with locals and seeing things from their POV than I ever did from a guidebook.

I also agree with one of his points on what backpacking is not:

All fun. It’s an adventure. It’s not uncommon to get robbed, lost, stuck out in the rain, pissed off, homesick, etc.

and I think that’s some of what came up with last week’s Oz-bus issues. Granted one could argue, and probably successfully, that paying that amount of money takes ‘backpacking’ out of the equation but I still think that anyone participating in such a trip should expect the unexpected. On that note, there’s some interesting discussion in the comments of Peter Moore’s post on the topic.

Anyway, back to the topic of last week’s post…

“…it makes a lot more sense to analyze your personal needs as a traveler, and choose your baggage accordingly, as opposed to assuming, ‘Well, I’m going ‘backpacking’ through Asia, better buy a backpack’…”

There were times I was grateful to have the backpack and overall I think it was the best choice for my trip, but there were times it was more of a hassle than a help. Namely when my dayback got heavier and carrying it on my front with the backpack on my back hurt my neck. That’s truly my own fault because I carry far too much stuff.

What works against this is hostels such as Palace Backpackers Brisbane, who have a note on their rates page that states:

*** These rooms are only available to genuine Backpackers.
A Backpacker is considered to be a person carrying a backpack- not a day pack.

Granted, I found that not to be enforced when I arrived carrying a suitcase on this past August’s trip, but it’s still irritating.

I also agree with the author’s theory that it’s damn near impossible to fit in when lumbering through the bus/train station/town with such a large back. It’s not always a bad thing because it can ID you to fellow travelers. Mixed blessing but you also then have to deal with the local thoughts on backpackers as a whole rather than the person as an individual…

then followed that with “Finally, a Bag Designed for the Modern ‘Backpacker’”

I like the idea of the backdoor bag for its ability to keep things in place. One thing that frustrated me while travelling with the backpack was that I’d put something in one spot and it would end up somewhere else entirely due to the vertical nature of my bag and its lack of compartments save for the bottom “sleeping bag” section. I doubt I’m going to be buying a new bag any time soon since I rather like my bag in general, but this new one is a good one to be aware of.

…and no, I still haven’t got the “related posts” plug in to work.

According to The Telegraph:

“It was billed as an epic trip across the continents which would make an unforgettable alternative to jetting to the other . . . → Keep Going: Ozbus: Redux]]> Once again, Peter Moore’s blog is the source of the Ozbus update. The main Guardian article has disappeared for some reason, but the message and response from Moore in the blog remain. While I agree with Moore in that the unexpected is very much a major part of independent travel – and related very much to the difference between travel and tourism – I’d expect the bus to last the journey if I paid ₤4,000.

According to The Telegraph:

“It was billed as an epic trip across the continents which would make an unforgettable alternative to jetting to the other side of the world. “

Well I certainly say it lives up to the goal of being unforgettable.  I can’t imagine that it was billed as an easy or cushy trip – nothing I’ve read suggested that – and delays and unexpected events are a part of travel.

I think the overall tone is more… dramatic than it is. As with a recent Nova article that interviewed those living on crumbs rather than those who were more prepared, the Telegraph interviewed someone who would capture people’s attention:

“…where on earth are they going get anything decent in Iran? Mutiny is in the air and everyone is so angry it’s unbelievable. …”

Mutiny? If you’re that unhappy, find another way out of Iran and seek a refund from Ozbus.  I’d be disappointed by unplanned itinerary changes, but I don’t think they’re the end of the world. Are the places scheduled to disappear soon? Overall, it seems as if the group might not have been prepared for travel through a series of lesser developed countries, a thought echoed by other comments. I wonder if the reports that the controversy was stirred up by an on-board journalist are true…and whether it was for publicity for Ozbus?

Related Posts:
Ozbus

I pulled the backpack out of the attic this morning this afternoon — I was long overdue for a long sleep — and started to at least think of what I needed to bring. I wasn’t going to bring the backpack, but I think it’s going to prove the most practical in terms of travel before and after the class. It’s going to be slightly cumbersome to have the daypack on the front but I think that will be manageable–I did it in AUstralia for a year, and . . . → Keep Going: It’s the worst part of travelling…]]> No, not flying. I *like* flying. I don’t like packing so much.

I pulled the backpack out of the attic this morning this afternoon — I was long overdue for a long sleep — and started to at least think of what I needed to bring. I wasn’t going to bring the backpack, but I think it’s going to prove the most practical in terms of travel before and after the class. It’s going to be slightly cumbersome to have the daypack on the front but I think that will be manageable–I did it in AUstralia for a year, and this laptop is lighter. Plus, I’m *determined* to keep both bags more manageable weight-wise.

I had to agree with this theory on packing:

We all have the tendency to overpack (or at least, I do). One of the problems I’ve encountered is that I’ll pack things I WANT to wear, things I SHOULD wear and things I MAY wear JUST IN CASE.

The should and wants are where we can cut viciously. Go with the wants over the shoulds. Travel is uncomfortable enough as it is.

I know exactly what I want to travel in–the problem is I don’t own half of that outfit. I’m still on the quest for the perfect pair of khakis. I had been planning to wear these adorable shoes but it’s definitely not going to be sandal weather when I land in London. Prague will be better though. I did manage to get two cute shirts, unfortunately neither is online.

I’m glad that there isn’t much I need to buy, nor much I really need to pack. I know I’ll end up overpacking, but I don’t *want* too much, I don’t want to have to carry it! Ute, I’m going to use that wonderfull bag you got me for Christmas for my toiletries, it’s the perfect size.

To Do/Buy:
Skype Handset (& number)
Adapter (or find)
Khakis
mini-toiletries (??I was in target today and totally forgot about this)

To Pack:
Camera Stuffs
Fun books
iPod

I have a lot to do in the next four days. Eep.

It found that backpackers constituted a heterogeneous group with respect to the diversity of rationales and meanings attached to their travel experiences.

I found that statement to be one of the most crucial that applies to working with backpackers. At . . . → Keep Going: Backpackers as a Community of Strangers]]> I was doing some research for my research design paper and in the process came across an article entitled Backpackers as a community of strangers: the interaction order of an online backpacker notice board (freely accessible PDF). Apart from piquing my curiosity as an interesting read, it seemed vaguely related to the issues surrounding buzz/currency and use of travel guides, etc.

It found that backpackers constituted a heterogeneous group with respect to the diversity of rationales and meanings attached to their travel experiences.

I found that statement to be one of the most crucial that applies to working with backpackers. At the same time, it’s probably one of the ones least considered by those marketing to backpackers. There is no one thing that ‘backpackers’ like. There may be certain similarities and tendencies but so often I’d hear “backpacker special” and couldn’t think of anything I’d want to do less!

The article went on further to state:

Backpacking differs from the generic idea of tourism or ‘the tourist’ because the backpacker is expected to court risks purposively rather than to avoid them (Giddens,1991: 124). It is important to note here the difference between acceptable and avoided risks. Acceptable risks are those that are self- imposed and ‘controlled’ by the individual as distinct from avoided risks that are imposed by others (Reith, 2003).

I think this is one of the crucial distinctions that places backpackers firmly among allocentric tourists and contributes to the tourist v. traveller debate.  I think in many cases the backpacker (myself included) chalks up some degree of risk to the name of exeprience rather than as a negative.

All in all a good read. Wish it fit my paper slightly better. I didn’t come away empty handed though, found a wonderful article about the characteristics surrounding backpacker enclaves. Now I just need to sit down and do the analysis of the article. Procrastination is a wonderfully horrid thing.

On a mostly unrelated note, Networth IQ: track, share and compare net worth. I just signed up for it after reading about it  and it seems interesting to play with. I already have an idea of the figures from Quicken but I think I’ll play some with this too.

Now I learnt back when I used to play the Relays that I had some weird tastes in books, so I’m not expecting this to be anything different…

1. Take Me With You – Brad Newsham – I love the idea of his trip. Being able to invite someone to come back with you – return the favour of hospitality. 2. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume – One of my favourite books of all time, 3. The Bells of Nagasaki – Takashi Nagai [review here] . . . → Keep Going: Travel and Reading]]> via West of Mars, I found out about Kailana’s Ten Books you Cannot Live Without…

Now I learnt back when I used to play the Relays that I had some weird tastes in books, so I’m not expecting this to be anything different…

1. Take Me With You – Brad Newsham – I love the idea of his trip. Being able to invite someone to come back with you – return the favour of hospitality.
2. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume – One of my favourite books of all time,
3. The Bells of Nagasaki – Takashi Nagai [review here] – there’s very little more poignant than a Doctor’s account of trying to save people following the bombing of Nagasaki
4. Bury Me Standing – Isabel Fonseca [review here]
5. Japan’s Longest Day – Pacific War Research Society [review here] – history buff in me and definitely one of my longest reviews ever
6. Cold Beer and Crocodiles – Roff Smith (link is to my review) it prompted my decision to ‘see it all’ or darned close and launched my trip around Australia
7. The Roads to Sata – Alan Booth (link is to my review) - another long one and a great look at the Japan most city folk, whether Japanese or gaijin never see
8. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret – Judy Blume – a childhood classic that I reread at 25
9. The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom – it just touched me, it really did.
10. The Dead – Ingrid Black – it wasn’t that it was so good-I don’t even remember what it was about but I googled it to mention it to someone and that’s how I found BookCrossing. Can’t imagine life without BookCrossing.

It’s definitely an eclectic list, but like my reading habits: heavily non-fiction and a lot about travel and/or other cultures. I keep trying to get fiction recommendations because I read very little fiction.

I really yearn for time like I had in 2005 when all I did was read!

Seven Reasons to Travel with One Bag: I totally agree with this article and couldn’t have said it better myself. I just wish I could have done it. One bag, yep. One small bag, no way. There were definitely times that my backpack got a little unmanageable, but I couldn’t have done it with any less.

For me, it wasn’t the clothes or the creature comforts. It was BOOKS! Let’s not even talk about my smaller pack with the laptop, camera, external HD, iPod and other books. It was a cord-squid too with cables for the camera, iPod, laptop, cell phone, external HD…

I can pack lighter than some, but I’m jealous of minimalists…