The word "backpacker" itself is borrowed and was primarily used in English-speaking countries. The word backpacker comes from the English backpack (backpack). That is, a backpacker is a person with a backpack, a person who walks and travels everywhere with him.
The concept
To begin with, it is worthwhile to understand what backpacking or backpacker tourism is.
Backpacking is an independent hiking. Often an international, low-budget way of traveling. Accordingly, backpackers are people who are engaged in this type of travel.
Why is this word associated with a backpack? This is easily explained. Imagine, for long trips, which most often do not include overnight in comfortable conditions, you need a fairly large number of things. Which bag is the most comfortable in this situation? Of course, a backpack. Therefore, all backpackers carry huge backpacks filled with a variety of necessary things.
Types of Backpackers
But not all backpackers carry huge backpacks with them. There are at least two types of backpackers. Those who walk in the woods sleep in a tent or on the beach and hitchhike around the world. And there are those who travel with a suitcase on wheels, sleep in hotels and rent cars for traveling around the country.
Both those and others like to call themselves the studied term. However, when the question arises: "Who is this backpacker", people often represent the first type. This is for granted.
Also in the back pegging itself, two types can be distinguished according to the time attribute. It can be a long way of traveling and take from a month to several years of travel. And also some backpackers prefer to travel short distances that take only a few days.
How to backpack?
First of all, you need to remember that backpacking is an independent type of travel. That is, you need to refuse all the services of tour operators and make all decisions related to your stay in another country or another city.
The essence of backpacking
What characterizes a true backpacker:
- backpackers live in places where the local population lives;
- the trips themselves are made in small companies or one at a time;
- backpackers completely merge into the atmosphere of local life, thoroughly study the culture, the color and atmosphere of the place are especially important for them;
- Backpackers' holidays are the exact opposite of beach or club;
- the meaning of backpacker life is endless travel.
To implement all these points, backpackers must save money, which makes this travel method, if not the most budgetary, then one of them. Do not forget about the necessary precautions that will help you spend the trip with pleasure and fully enjoy it.
Precautions and Precautions
To avoid trouble, follow these guidelines:
- always have copies of documents with you (preferably in several copies), because if you lose the original, having a copy will make it easier for you to restore documents;
- take the necessary medicines with you, in many countries you may not find the medicines you need, and sometimes there may be no pharmacies at all;
- Always study the route and prices for tickets and excursions before traveling, this will help you to worry less and warn against difficult situations;
- keep your money and bank cards in different places, so if one part of the funds is lost or stolen, you will know that you have other means;
- Be sure to tell relatives or friends your route and your exact place of stay, so you will be sure that in case of an emergency you can be helped.
- do not forget that saving is not the main goal of backpacking, enjoy the journey even when you have to spend a large amount.
Of course, the most important desire of the backpacker is to make his life one complete journey. But in this case, he may encounter both material and some other problems. It is better to understand this concept in advance, as well as learn about the pros and cons of this type of travel.
Pros and Cons of Backpacker Tourism
Without a doubt, the most important and main advantage is complete freedom of action. You can choose any country, any direction and act on the route drawn by you, and not by the tour operator.
In this situation, you have the opportunity to visit the most interesting places where tourist groups usually do not deliver, but it is up to you to choose what you like.
The disadvantages include dubious security. On your trip, you will trust completely strangers, fellow travelers or just locals. Of course, not all people can turn out to be criminals or bandits, but extra caution will not hurt you. Your safety is also up to you. The tour operator is not responsible for you, only you. So if you are not ready to defend yourself and your rights in another country, it is better to postpone the idea of such a vacation.
What to pack in a backpack for a backpacker?
This is the most important question that plagues people who set off for "free swimming."
Let's start with clothes and shoes. In situations where neither the travel route, nor the weather conditions, nor the place of an overnight stay are precisely known, the most important assistant is shoes that will help protect you from all adversities. For backpacking, there are special shoes that are durable and comfortable. This shoe is unlike ordinary sneakers in that it has large notches on the sole, the start of lacing is almost at the very toe, in the area of the heel and toe there are inserts of thick leather, and it is also made of a material that allows air to pass through and provides an outflow of water. When choosing shoes, you need to be very careful, because this is the most important attribute of a successful trip.
As for clothes, its main criterion is convenience. Backpackers, as a rule, do not take a large amount of clothing with them, but rather buy it when necessary in their places of residence. But in any case, you need to think carefully about your wardrobe, going on such a difficult trip.
Here are the main things that should be in your backpack:
- spare pair of shoes;
- spare warm and light clothing (but in small quantities);
- tent and sleeping bag;
- a small supply of water and food;
- means for lighting a fire;
- first-aid kit with the necessary medicines and bandages;
- means of communication (walkie-talkie, telephone and the like).
These are only the basic items needed for such a trip. But each backpacker determines for himself what exactly he needs on the way. However, it is important to note that you only need to take it.
Russian backpacker
In Russia, this type of travel has recently been very popular. Many people, having tried once, can no longer refuse such a pastime. Russian people most often travel around their own country, because there are many unexplored, but insanely beautiful places that you can’t get into with a tour operator. Now a lot of communities and forums are being created on the Internet, where Russian guys come together and get acquainted to engage in this hobby.
In conclusion, I would like to say that backpacking is becoming more and more popular every year. Not only young people, but also elderly people are engaged in this type of travel. Backpacking is an unusually interesting activity that requires certain skills that develop you and your environment. To become a good backpacker, you need skill and experience. And this can be achieved if there is a desire.
We hope this article helped you figure it out: backpacker - what does it mean. Perhaps soon you will join the ranks of these free travelers.