For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking trip through Europe. This right of passage is believed to further the maturation process of college students, according to sociologists. Of course, others have opined that copious amounts of alcohol, sun and Amsterdam have something to do with it. Regardless of your purpose, you still have to figure out what to take.
Backpack ? Getting In Touch With Your Inner Mule
Obviously, the first critical item is your backpack. While one doesn't need to buy the $10,000 Himalaya Turbo Pack, you should also avoid the $12 blue light special. So, how do you pick a happy middle ground?
The best method for picking a backpack involves three phone books. Select/swipe/borrow three yellow page books from neighbors/friends/enemies and hit your local sporting goods store. With the books, head to the backpackapalozza section of the store and pick out a few sturdy/cool/outrageous rigs. Stuff the phone books in, adjust the straps and go for a walk. Now break out into a run to simulate future dashes for trains/ ferries/ toilets and make the sales people nervous. These steps should quickly reveal the perfect pack.
Now, you may have read other publications suggesting highly technical ways to select a backpack. Trust me, until you have run for the last ferry from Italy to Greece, you have no idea how to pick a pack. The three phone book test solves this nicely.
What To Take
There are a few mantras that every person should chant before packing for Europe. These chants were developed originally by the little known, Oh-My-Back Monks of Southeast Asia. The "OMB" Monks were known for traveling half way to far off cities, turning around, returning home and then traveling the full way to said cities. Religious experts opined as to the deep metaphysical meaning of such trips. They were later embarrassed when the monks revealed the back and forth nature of the trips was due to forgetting something, often whether they had turned off the iron. Nonetheless, such chants have become the guiding light of experienced backpackers.
Let us slowly and clearly chant together,
"I will pack only that which will not result in me being hunched over like a Sherpa."
"Remember, I can pick it [(lower voice) toothpaste, book, soap] up over there."
"I will not stuff thy pack to the point of bursting, for thy damn zippers always break/get snagged/refuse to work."
"I will learn humility through wearing incredibly wrinkled clothes and shall not bring an iron."
"I shall bring only one guide book, not one for each country that I MIGHT see."
"I accept that I will come home wearing something I didn't take and will have lost/traded/burned much of what I did take."
For female travelers and, okay, the occasional male,
"I will not bring high heels or a gaggle of make-up."
Admittedly, chanting these mantras will not bringing you immediate enlightenment. Fret, not. You can always throw items away or send them home in a box to your parents/friends/parole officer. For the resourceful backpacker, it is not unheard of to send particularly smelly/discolored/toxic clothing to an ex-girlfriend/ex-boyfriend/little brother. Follow these practical guidelines and you will soon happily be speaking in a loud voice to make foreigners understand you.
The Evidence
This is the hard part for most travelers to wrap their minds around. You will forget those special moments of your trip when you met the hunk Sven or babe Svenetta from Sweden and had a romantic evening/danced the night away/got arrested in Ios/Ibiza/the airport. Maybe not immediately, but you will eventually forget.
You will also forget or lose the contact information of people you meet, despite meticulously writing it down on the back of a coaster/napkin/your hand in a bar/poetry reading/jail at three in the morning. Surprisingly, said coaster/napkin/hand often survive the night/day/weekend and get deposited in your already trashed backpack. Of course, their presence is often forgotten when you later put a Oktoberfest mug/wet towel/toothbrush in. The extra padding at the bottom of your pack is specifically designed to deal with the decomposing result. Still, the information is gone and so is your future with Sven/Svenetta.
To properly record the magical moments of your trip, you must take a diary or journal. Don't worry, you can burn it later before you get married/your parents get nosey/you have kids. You want a journal in a water/beer/sweat resistant case. Of course, I prefer a Nomad Travel Journal, but just make sure you take something. When you have some extra time in the bus/train/jail cell, you can record how you got there and the people you met.
Trust me, when you, Sven/Svenetta and your nine children are sitting on the porch, you will greatly enjoy reading your journal.
Of course, that assumes you didn't burn it.
Rick Chapo is with nomad journals - Preserve the experience with writing journals for traveling and outdoor activities. Visit nomad journals to read more of this and other travelogues.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carWhen you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio... Read More
Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area.... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More
Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a... Read More
The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More
The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually... Read More
When it comes to birding, Acadia National Park is a... Read More
Having traveled from state to state and every city in... Read More
Recently I attended a Boy Scout Leader Roundtable meeting where... Read More
I've had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides,... Read More
As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another... Read More
Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado.... Read More
Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More
One morning in mid summer, I headed out for some... Read More
Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking... Read More
For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
Summer is for picnics, hikes, outdoor concerts, barbeques ... and... Read More
My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More
Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe,... Read More
Boondocking is fun! Boondockers go anywhere they want, at any... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
Block Island is a seaside jewel lying 12 miles off... Read More
Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating... Read More
The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded... Read More
Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More
You would think that a cheap safari in Africa for... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features... Read More
If you're looking to spot a whale, the first few... Read More
Outdoors |