Backpacking across a foreign land is a common dream for many people, be they young or old. However enticing the thought of leisurely travel may be, it can sometimes be a daunting process. Myths about backpacking are common and we’ve all heard horror stories about backpacking trips gone astray. While some myths are steeped in truth, it’s important to be level headed when it comes to considering backpacking as a travel choice. For every bad anecdote there are a dozen positive ones, and it’s key to know just how likely backpacking myths are to occur.
Medical Emergencies
Getting sick while on holiday is a travel nightmare. This is particularly true for backpacking tourists, who often rely on hostel cooking or budget, side of the road restaurants to fill their bellies. However, tasting local cuisine is one of the main reasons it’s so much fun to travel abroad. To ensure you don’t end up with food poisoning, consult locals on the best budget places to eat. Also, a handy guidebook can direct you to charming cafes and cheap restaurants. If you’re still worried about medical emergencies while abroad, look into travel insurance that gives you full health coverage, ensuring you’ll be taken care of if something dire happens.
Dodgy Lodgings
It’s no fun to check into a bedroom for the night only to discover creepy crawlies or unclean lodgings. But cheap, no frills hotels and hostels are a common occurrence for the typical backpacker. Look for cheap housing online before you travel, where you can read user reviews to make sure you get the best value for your money. If you want to keep things more loose, talk to locals once you land in a city to find the cleanest, best spots to lay your head. Or, circumvent the problem all together and camp out for a night or two. A small collapsible tent can be placed in your pack, giving you free reign to set up camp in local parks.
Crime and Theft
Crime is a major concern for most travellers, be they backpackers or not. But the backpacker has to be on the lookout for theft when staying at communal lodgings, where everyone’s belongings are out in the open. Look for hostels that offer lockers with your own personal lock, so you can store your things securely. Keep valuables like cash, credit cards and your passport in a pack under your clothes, where pickpockets can’t find them. And always make sure to know the number for your local embassy, in case you fall into serious trouble.
Travel Problems
Late train schedules and overpriced taxi fares are a headache for backpackers on a tight budget and schedule. However, these delays are a common problem for travellers. As a backpacker, you’ll probably have the flexibility to change up your timetable, so stay flexible. If a train is late, see when the next one will be arriving. Or, if there are no other trains available to your location, consider hiring a car online or at your local airport. Visiting a new city on a whim is part of the appeal of backpacking. And make sure to keep city maps on you, so you can instruct cabbies of where you’re going by pointing to a specific address.
Language Barriers
Language barriers may seem like a hassle, but they are incredibly easy to get around. A few flash cards or a guide book with key phrases will help you get around. Oftentimes knowing just how to say hello in the local language will get you friendly replies and individuals willing to help, even if they don’t speak English. Don’t underestimate the power of mime when it comes to explain just what you are looking for.
