What is "Backpacking" travel

The idea of backpack travel is about simple travel, traveling with the minimal amount of supplies and gear to see and experience new places, people and culture.

What inspires you...

Many people have seen movies like Eurotrip and Into The Wild, where an individual or a group take off on a journey for various reasons, the commonality is that it is to fulfill ones desires and spiritual needs in their life. So what are your needs, what is it that you want to do, see, experience, and share with others?

The Physical Demand...

I truly feel that a backpacking trip can allow one to help discover themselves far beyond their current understanding of who they are as a person. This will be done in different ways such as the physical demands of the trip, lots of walking, while carrying everything in on their back. Backpacking if far more demanding on their body that most realize, it will take a toll on your legs, hips, back, and shoulder muscles. That being said you should definitely get fitted for a backpack at your local outdoors store, such as REI. They can help you find a style of bag that fits your body best while making sure the bag can hold all of your gear properly. 

The Spiritual demand...

Beyond the physical demands are the spiritual need of such a journey. Spiritual in that one will need to find their way in learning how to fit within the local culture and customs while respecting themselves and the host nation. One must learn how things work in different parts of the world, because I guarantee it is different than you are accustomed to. That being said one must first figure where they want to travel to, do research on these destinations in regard to transportation, money, lodging, and most importantly the do’s and don’ts of the places you are traveling to. A good spot to start this research is Pinterest to find cool and exciting places you want to travel, next utilize the U.S. State Departments travel site to find out current travel advisories. But best of all look up other people on travelbymyself.com’s blogs of places people have been and learn from their experience…this can be very insightful. Beyond these means are the more traditional ways such as using your local library to read up on travel destinations.

All these things and many more to be covered by myself and other travelers in upcoming posts, so stay tuned for updated content...