Since the past decade, ways of travel has become extremely popular and started to form its own culture, backpacking, a way of low-cost, independent travel while travelers often have all their luggage in the backpack. It usually requires the travellers to carry the backpack for a long time and involves a lot of walking, which can be a quite exhausting form of traveling for some people, but the experience of backing differs so much from the other kinds and can be so much better in its own different way, in both a physical and a mental way. so why exactly is backpacking so special and what are the deeper reasons behind it?
Most people have dreamed of travel the world during their childhood, explore the unknown and start an adventure. But when
…show more content…
Of importance to some backpackers is a sense of authenticity. Backpacking is perceived as being more than a holiday, but a means of education (Catto). When we are backpacking, we will truly connect with the local and see the real side of the destination rather than the packaged version. Due to the mass tourism, a lot of backpackers are anti-tourist. With overrated tourist attraction and overpriced food and hotels in those major tourist city, traveling itself has lost its own meaning. It became more like a “duty” than an experience. People go to those major tourist attractions and take pictures of themselves, sleep in those fancy hotels and enjoy the overpriced food, but when other people ask them about their trip, they have nothing to say besides that picture they uploaded on social media. The local’s daily lives, the history of the place and the cultural difference seems never existed to them, which makes the whole experience exceedingly meaningless. Backpacking offers that authenticity that not every way of traveling can …show more content…
Although the experience of backpacking can be uniquely amazing, it has always been criticized from the mainstream; some host countries and other travellers may disagree with the actions of backpackers and sometimes backpacking is even considered as “Hippie” (O’Reilly) often because backpackers haven’t contributed enough economically as regular tourists and that they are performing a different way of living than the average one. I believe that everyone’s purpose in life is different. The truth is people nowadays are too indulge in the classic middle-class lifestyle that the mainstream has instilled in us, a nice house, a decent job, fancy cars. The thoughts of being like everybody else makes people feel safe, but the point is that is being safe really the goal of our lives. In one of the New York best seller books “ Into the wild “, Christopher McCandless, the main character who died in the Alaska in real life, once indicated that “The freedom and simple beauty is too good to pass up.” Sometimes we think we need more than we actually need. In the real life, people rarely appreciate simple beauty, and always go after those physical things that everyone desires. But after we peel off the fancy coat of that comfortable middle-class lifestyle, all there is left is a greedy heart which is too afraid to change. Sometimes mainstream is not always correct because the society we live in is extremely judgemental.
Christopher McCandless, an American traveler, once said “So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit.” This quote is far more universally applicable than originally thought to be. Throughout one’s life, one will undoubtedly experience some form of conformity. The driving factor in a majority of these moments is fear; fear of not fitting in, or of not living up to society’s expectations. The only thing that lets one escape conformity is the truth known from past experiences. This
Chris McCandless’s decision to uproot his life and hitchhike to Alaska has encouraged other young adults to chase their dreams. Neal Karlinksy illustrates the love Chris had for nature in the passage, “He was intoxicated by the nature and the idea of a great Alasican adventure-to survive in the bush totally alone.” This passage shows appreciation for the significance of following ones dreams. Even with all that Chris had accomplished he knew that something was missing and this resonated deeply in his soul. It is refreshing to discover that not all young people are focused on materialistic success. Neal Karlinsky demonstrates this in the quotation, “Today, young idealistic pilgrims post their adventures on YouTube as they follow in the footsteps of Alexander Supertramp and visit the now famous “ magic bus” deep in the Alaskan interior.” This passage describes how some young people use Chris’ journey as a catalyst to discover their own identity and purpose as they travel to Alaska also.
When telling their story, the narrators clearly express their aspirations of living an adventurous life. They both view international travel as a vessel for self-discovery and meaningful memories. For example, in Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa, David Sedaris expresses his desires for life-long memories and international travel when he writes, “They weren’t rich, but what Hugh and his family lacked financially they more than made up for with the sort of exoticism that works wonders at cocktail parties, leading always to the remark, ‘that sounds fascinating’.” According to this passage, Sedaris seems to believe that money is less important than experiences and memories themselves. One is able to infer that he yearns for a life that is filled with adventures. He wants to have the ability to tell interesti...
Chris McCandless’s story, in Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer is an important story to be heard, but it should be read as a cautionary tale for all people wanting to go into the wilderness unprepared. Anyone going into an inhospitable region should be aware of this story and should not make the mistake of being
Being in the wild is a great experience, it opens doors and bridges inside one’s mind. It allows people to be inspired, to find hope. It gives people a sense of direction and helps people conquer challenges that they never thought they would achieve. The example left behind by a young man named Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer demonstrates how living on the road and surviving off the land can prove to be a pilgrimage and help enlighten others to go out in search of their own philosophical ideals. Whether it is being away from home and travel all across America, not settling down in one place, but staying long enough in one place and have an affect on someone else, or being with your family hiking up a mountain and be able to look at the scenery that nature brought forth.
That desire to go where no one has ever been before is inside of all of us. All of us enjoy exploring new teritory that we have never been on before. It’s that thrill and excitement that fills our heart and soles.
There is no real foundation or thorough reasons behind why one wants to grow up and try these different fields or experience such travel; it just seems cool during a daydream. There is no understanding at that time of what it takes to get there or if it is even attainable in the first place. This is how childhood
You don’t need to travel the world, as long as you are fine with your stake in life. If you don’t drop everything to achieve your personal legend you can live a safe life. A life where you don’t need to wonder where your next meal comes from. A solid fulfilled
Sling backpacks are comfortable to wear and it is convenient to bring. It leaves you with even weight on the shoulder and it still gives you two hands for you to use.
There is an abundance of cultures and lessons that teens can learn about as they travel the world. Many teenagers, however do not realize or take advantage of travel opportunities provided for them and the influence travel can have on their lives. There are many programs out there that give all teens the chance to travel and experience the world firsthand regardless of a family’s income. These travels will influence the growing mind by helping them to understand other cultures without the distant feeling that these places do not concern them. Although it may seem scary to some parents to let their child travel to far off places, teens need the exposure to broaden their knowledge and horizons. More teenagers should travel because traveling abroad not only teaches them more about other cultures, but more about themselves, who they are and who they want to become.
Backpackers are often perceived as disruptive and that they have a negative impact on the destination they are visiting. Many hostels have refused to accommodate large amounts of Australian backpackers due to the reckless behaviour they engage in while staying at the hostels. This perception has come to the attention of hostel owners that international backpackers are considered to be more pleasant than Australian backpackers. The perception of backpackers occurs through local news stories which are usually about the reckless behaviour experienced in pubs and clubs. Some positives would be the income and business that local farmers and communities would be gaining from the backpackers. The report is going to show the positive and negative aspects of backpacker tourism and how the local community is affected. By gathering news articles, conducting surveys and interviews the impact that backpacker tourists have on the community will be understood further. Backpackers are tourists who want to see more of the destination they are staying in while looking for ways to save money. Many backpackers prefer to stay in hostels for the social aspect and also because it is cheap. Backpackers tend to come from European countries (SATC, 2008) and this was supported by the surveys conducted for this report that showed many backpackers who are staying in Adelaide said they came from Europe (Author’s Own, 20014). Mainly people said Germany; there were some from France and Austria also. These backpacker tourist types also stay for longer than the average tourist (figure 3). Many backpackers travel to Adelaide due to the laid back environment and attitude and to see the architecture of the historic buildings within Adelaide. Many go to the landmark...
There is nothing quite like traveling, going someplace new and finding out more about the world and yourself. Anyone can become a traveler it just takes a little bit of faith and courage. Traveling across the world or even across the country is a learning experience. When you are a traveler you see how people live and how different cultures work. It is the best educational experience you could give yourself. You see how the world works in a way no one can teach you. Seeing different cultures and people help build the person you want to be. If you are a traveler the world influences you, because when traveling, you see the good and the bad, and you learn from the right and the wrong. I am very lucky that I am able to be a traveler and see this
Because of the Japanese governments environmental and heritage preservation policies trekking, climbing Mt Fuji River rafting and sightseeing is a tourist favourite. The natural beauty of the country is one of the main attractions. This is a very common choice for Drifter tourists. These Allocentric tourists plan their trips alone, cost effectiveness is of high priority, and usually they will reside in hostels or with friends in the country. People who fall under this category are backpackers. They have a very high desire to mix with the local population. There is dominant novelty and association with home and environmental bubble is non-existent with this tourist
One of the most enjoyable things in life are road trips, particularly to the Colorado mountains. Getting to spend time with your family and friends, while being in a beautiful place, is irreplaceable. The fifteen-hour road trip may feel never-ending, but gazing at the mountains from afar makes life’s problems seem a little smaller and causes worries to become a thing of the past. Coming in contact with nature, untouched, is a surreal experience. My family trip to the Colorado mountains last summer was inspiring.
Traveling alone has been proven to have more benefits for a person and it cuts costs by over half the price of traveling with a family or in a group. Most people think that traveling independently is frightening and dangerous so they opt out of doing it that way. In reality it’s not as bad as it’s perceived to be. “Traveling alone is no different than traveling in a group, there will always be people and safety resources out there to aid a person in danger “(Fordham). That idea is clear when it comes to populated dense places. There are many resources out in the world that can help or protect a person when needed. Just by studying up on the places that are going to be traveled is a smart way to be prepared. It also forces individuals to be smarter when it comes to where they are trekking and where to go with more precaution.