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Backpacking Europe Introduction |
There’s really no way I think I can describe to you all the reasons to take this trip that isn’t
going to sound melodramatic. I suppose to start I’ll say this. If you are pondering the idea of
going, if its crossed your mind more than once, you should probably do it go backpacking
through Europe.
I’ve found over the course of my travels that backpackers have a lot in common. They share
many of the same characteristics, many of the same goals and passions. One of the questions
that seems to come up when meeting fellow backpackers is what school they go to and what
they are majoring in. The vast majority of backpackers are college students, but of course
exceptions exist. Also, an high percentage of them are studying some form of social or human
science. Backpackers are often people interested in studying the culture and ways of others.
Many of them have really only gone to Europe to party, but even these tend to be social
scientists. If you are interested in the ways of other peoples, this is a good reason to go.
Some people go just to have a great time. They go to party, a long spring break on another
continent. There are certainly some good times to be had. You will have stories to tell.
Other people just want to get out and have an adventure. Through caution to the wind and
escape routine. They seek the thrill of the unknown. Not knowing where you’ll end up, or
even what country you’ll be in. Adventures can be hard to come by, this is a good one.
My first trip was a combination of all these. The reason I went is primarily because I was both
bored and worn out. I was going to graduate school and working full time and begin to see
that I just wasn’t having enough fun. I briefly tossed the idea of backpacking through Europe
out to a friend of mine, saying that doing something like that sounded fun. I didn’t really
thinking I’d end up doing it.
She encouraged me, pushed me even a little. Making that first trip can definitely be a little
scary. You are cutting loose from everyone you know (if you are going solo, as I was) and
giving up all your basic comforts. You don’t really know what you’re getting into, or what’s
there. You don’t know how to travel like that. Its worth it, go.
I can’t tell you why to go. I’m sure that if you are reading this you should. Take the time, spend
the money. If there is an inkling in you for it, go.
I’ve found that most people like to, or at least say they like to travel. There are a few people out
there that would rather sit a home, sure. Most people talk about going to exotic places and
seeing these things that we see on TV or in magazines. Some people will take a vacation and
go stay in a hotel in a European city. There are a few of us that cross the line from tourist to
traveler. The traveler needs to traveler. We are junkies, we are addicts. We don’t want to know
what’s out there, we have to know. It hurts if we don’t.
going to sound melodramatic. I suppose to start I’ll say this. If you are pondering the idea of
going, if its crossed your mind more than once, you should probably do it go backpacking
through Europe.
I’ve found over the course of my travels that backpackers have a lot in common. They share
many of the same characteristics, many of the same goals and passions. One of the questions
that seems to come up when meeting fellow backpackers is what school they go to and what
they are majoring in. The vast majority of backpackers are college students, but of course
exceptions exist. Also, an high percentage of them are studying some form of social or human
science. Backpackers are often people interested in studying the culture and ways of others.
Many of them have really only gone to Europe to party, but even these tend to be social
scientists. If you are interested in the ways of other peoples, this is a good reason to go.
Some people go just to have a great time. They go to party, a long spring break on another
continent. There are certainly some good times to be had. You will have stories to tell.
Other people just want to get out and have an adventure. Through caution to the wind and
escape routine. They seek the thrill of the unknown. Not knowing where you’ll end up, or
even what country you’ll be in. Adventures can be hard to come by, this is a good one.
My first trip was a combination of all these. The reason I went is primarily because I was both
bored and worn out. I was going to graduate school and working full time and begin to see
that I just wasn’t having enough fun. I briefly tossed the idea of backpacking through Europe
out to a friend of mine, saying that doing something like that sounded fun. I didn’t really
thinking I’d end up doing it.
She encouraged me, pushed me even a little. Making that first trip can definitely be a little
scary. You are cutting loose from everyone you know (if you are going solo, as I was) and
giving up all your basic comforts. You don’t really know what you’re getting into, or what’s
there. You don’t know how to travel like that. Its worth it, go.
I can’t tell you why to go. I’m sure that if you are reading this you should. Take the time, spend
the money. If there is an inkling in you for it, go.
I’ve found that most people like to, or at least say they like to travel. There are a few people out
there that would rather sit a home, sure. Most people talk about going to exotic places and
seeing these things that we see on TV or in magazines. Some people will take a vacation and
go stay in a hotel in a European city. There are a few of us that cross the line from tourist to
traveler. The traveler needs to traveler. We are junkies, we are addicts. We don’t want to know
what’s out there, we have to know. It hurts if we don’t.
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