C’mon, Just Live A Little
If you’re heading out to experience the big, wide world, the worst thing you can do for yourself is taint your experience with the Western way of thinking. Why bother going to places like Thailand, India, or the Philippines if you’re planning to sit up in a comfortable hotel where they serve you pizza and hot dogs?
When you’re fulfilling your wanderlust, you should be immersing yourself in the cultures you come across. This is what makes backpacking such an intimate and thorough experience. It can be challenging, yes, but the personal growth you experience while exploring the corners of our planet is what travel is all about. The cheap price tag doesn’t hurt either.
Affordability
Traveling becomes a lot more accessible when over half of your money isn’t dedicated to lodging. Sure, a night or two of luxury during your travels is to be expected, even encouraged, but you can stretch your travel budget for much longer if you choose to stay in hostels or participate in a little bit of couch surfing.
The same goes for transportation. The ticket to and from wherever you’re headed won’t be cheap, but using local transportation is an excellent way to see a city in its purest form and will keep more money in your pockets.
Instead of spending all your money on lodging, you can save it to splurge on certain experiences, like taking in a show, visiting landmarks, or getting access to zoos or museums. If you’re really there to take in the air, as it were, you could opt for slow travel, spending weeks or months really immersing yourself in a particular place.
Authenticity
Without the glitz and glamor of customer-oriented spaces, you can see the world as a local does. You can visit that hole-in-the-wall restaurant where you understand next to nothing on the menu, and try something new, or find a couple of locals to chat with.
Not to mention, you’re not just getting authentic cultural experiences, but you can also be authentically yourself. These are folks you’ll probably never see again, so why not let the hidden part of your personality shine?
Adventure
Arguably, adventure is the biggest draw for folks looking to travel, and it works so well for different personalities. With a touring group, you’re always operating on some sort of schedule. If you’re backpacking, you can take as much or as little time as you want in any given place. If a city isn’t holding your interest, you have no reason to stay there. This works for Type A and B personalities, and that's thanks to the complete autonomy you have over your travels.
Accomplishment
Backpacking can be hard. It’s loud, it’s unpredictable, and it can be dangerous if you’re not careful. The beauty of backpacking is the challenges you face internally as much as externally, and it can be a great way to process some pretty big feelings. Knowing that you got through the trip and figured everything out for yourself is a huge accomplishment that isn’t felt by many, but it can sure feel good to try.
All this to say, backpacking will provide you with some real experiences, some real stories. If you’re looking for a lay on the beach vacation, head off to that resort. But if you’re looking for something a little deeper, a little more grounded, we would absolutely recommend giving this travel style a try.
