I was recently asked by a friend on MySpace, Magaly, whether I had any thoughts on backpacking. She is going to Europe for the first time and was looking for some advice. While I admit that after sleeping in a barn in Austria, camping in Iceland (not by choice) and eating more sardines than I ever will again, as long as I live, there are few bits of advice that are worth much. Mostly I have fond memories of being young and roughing it without concrete plans or a map in Europe. The cultures I have experienced along the way from Ireland to Hungary still strike a chord and have changed me for the better. The people are also unforgettable — yes, even that guy I fought on a crowded, sticky train station floor in Warsaw.
My advice for newbies backpacking Europe
1. People first, attractions second.
2. Trust you instincts. Most people you will meet will be great, few will be creepy. Say no to those who make you bristle.
2a. Be without fear. Chances really are microscopic that anything really bad (beyond annoyance) will happen.
3. Find time for yourself (you’ll be surprised how many people you’ll meet and want to tag along)
4. Go wherever you want because you don’t know when you’ll be back.
5. Be flexible. Travel comes with inconvenience, but many of these inconveniences have become stories and my most fond memories later.
6. Even if you lose your entire backpack on a ferry to France, you will be fine
Written by Devin Galaudet
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All hostels are not created equal.
I have stayed in my share of bad hostels when I was backpacking. My advice to a newbie backpacker is be selective. Don’t stay somewhere if you feel it is unsafe.
Also, remember whatever you bring you have to carry, that what backpacking is about, traveling light and carrying your own luggage. So I would suggest that less is more, and remember most hostels have laundry facilities. And no you really do not need 6 pairs of shoes! trust me on this
Thanks Diane,
I would agree. I have been stuck lugging around homemade wine and decorated egg shells that were totally not worth the trouble. I ended up with sour grapes and broken egg shells at the bottom of my pack.
Devin of ITKT
A very large, long piece of light, coloured silk. Use it in the airplane as a scarf and to cover your face. Can be a pareo, wrap around, skirt, nightgown (my flight home got cancelled and I had no overnight bag for the Hotel stay). It can be used as a belt, a coverup for visiting churches and also as a light cover in the rain. It should fold very small and fit in a zip lock bag and be easily accessible in an outside pocket.
A plastic poncho is small in folded size, but fits right over you and your backpack and protects you from the rain. A ball point pen on a coloured string, to be tied to clip on your bag or pocket.
I have used these article again and again and was glad I had them. To happy backpacking.
Marlies
A long piece of coloured silk to use as coverup, scarf, belt, nightgown.
A plastic poncho covers you with backback.
A foldable reading light instead of a flashlight.
A pen on a string.