Backpacking Boisterously

On that bike trip I mentioned last post we stored plenty of snacks with us, for all those times when we’d be biking way outside of any towns to stop in for supplies.  As a result, I now cannot eat a certain brand of fruity granola bars because of the endless amounts I consumed when stuck in the wilderness.  I’d seriously consider starving before eating another of those things.  There are a couple of things that I always try and eat on my trips now though.

Any place I’m staying in I’ll always ask around for a fruit or food market first thing, to get myself my precious oranges and apples.  They’re my favorite fruits and fuel most of my adventures.  Granola or granola bars are also great, especially with a bit of chocolate thrown in for some flavor.  Simple sandwich meats and baguettes also work, since they’re usually the cheapest meals around.

What kind of snacks do you go for?  I know a lot of people go for the chocolate and candy as cheap fuel, but I try to avoid them because the sugar hangovers are killer when walking miles a day.  Any other backpacker fuels I should know about?

Which do you prefer?  I’m more of a solo traveler myself, I like keeping my own schedule and having the freedom to break off if I want to.  You also learn quite a bit about yourself and what you can handle when you run into snags with no support beyond your own.  There are definitely some downsides though, especially if you’re not particularly gregarious.  Going out alone in a city can be intimidating, and sometimes you just want to share the experience with someone else.  Luckily hostels often provide travelers and backpackers in the exact same shoes, and they’re almost always ready to share a beer or a story.  I’ve met some of the most interesting people on the road.

Traveling in a group has its perks as well.  You’ve got friends with you that you know and trust, you’ve got support at all times, and someone that’s always up for the next adventure.  I don’t mind traveling in a group, provided it’s kept small.  Three at max.  More than that and you’re asking for trouble, just too many opinions to contend with.  I’ve had trips with just one other person that have ended up being great, while spring breaks with 6 or 7 end in disaster.

Right now I’m real content with how Buenos Aires has worked out.  Came down here for the first month by myself, then my roomie arrived (whom I already knew from studying abroad in Spain).  Small group, good setup, and we’re both chill people.  We’ll see once we get some longer trips under our belt though…

What’s the best way to travel?  A carefully thought out itinerary that has an airtight schedule and is run through like a well-oiled machine?  Or a loosey goosey “plan” that allows for whatever adventure comes your way?  I’ve experienced both, and I think I’m leaning more towards the spontaneity side nowadays.

The best trip I ever took was a two month biking excursion in Europe with one of my best friends straight out of high school.  A little over the halfway point, after following our planned routes pretty closely, we decided to make a change.  Our original plan had called for biking through the interior of Portugal, but we completely winged it and decided to bike from Sevilla, Spain along the coastline all the way up to Lisbon.  It ended up working out perfectly.  Bike for a couple of hours in the morning, spend the day on the beach, then bike in the cooler evenings until we found our next campground.  That was our schedule for roughly two weeks, and it was pure bliss.  All because we ditched our carefully laid plans.

I think the best of both worlds is a sort of waypoint system.  Have dates set for when you should be in a place, like checkpoints, but don’t plan your routes down to the day.  If I want to skip something in order to stay somewhere that is unbelievably awesome, this method allows me to do it.  More flexibility is always nice.  As long as you get to those waypoints on time, you can skip all around in between.  That’s how I’ve planned my last few trips, and they’ve turned out golden.

Flexible!

So where are the best places to backpack?  There are so many different routes and locales I’ve heard about that it can be difficult to know where to start.  I came down to South America having already traveled fairly extensively in Europe, and I wanted to stay long-term so Southeast Asia was out.  I know Spanish pretty well, but I sure as hell can’t speak any Asian dialect.

South America and Southeast Asia held the most appeal for me, mostly because of the exchange rate.  As a new college graduate, I’m not exactly rolling in cash at this point in my life.  My dollars go much farther here than they would in Europe.  Buenos Aires can be experienced fairly cheaply if you really make an effort at it.  I can only imagine what places like Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and others must be like.  All in due time.

What are your favorite backpacking spots?  I’m just getting started on my travels so I’m really interested in what some veterans think!  Khao San Road here I come…

There’s always a huge debate amongst my friends and I about which toys or technology are really essential for backpacking.  I fall somewhere on the nerdier side, so I tend to bring a couple more gadgets with me.

My camera is always in my pocket.  No exceptions there.  I love photography and I am constantly snapping photos wherever I go.  I keep two 2gb SD cards with me, as well as a 4gb thumb drive.  Internet cafes and computer centers have become so common that I’m usually never too far from somewhere that will let me upload my pictures onto my thumb drive.

My phone.  I have an unlocked quad-band phone that allows me to use any network around the world, though I rarely need it.  I keep it off most of the time, barring any emergencies that crop up.  It’s comforting to know that you can easily reach friends or family if it really becomes important.

My mp3 player is indispensable.  I know, I know, they isolate you from truly interacting with others if you plug in all day, but they’re perfect for those long travel days.  If you’re a budget traveler like myself it’s nice to have music to listen to on those lengthy train and bus rides.  I even cheated a little bit and splurged on a solar charger.  If I disappear into the jungle or the countryside I just need a patch of sunlight for a couple hours to keep me jammin’ through the night.

What travel gadgets can you just not do without?

If you’re traveling internationally, you’re going to have to have your passport and various other documents with you, so why not keep them safe?

Before leaving, make copies, copies, copies.  Photocopies of your passport, ID, credit cards, and insurance information as well.  Photocopy both side of the cards so that you have the emergency cancel numbers for your credit cards as well.  Also, make sure you contact all your card providers and let them know you’re leaving the country, because no one wants their vacation ruined by a frozen card.

When in a hostel or hotel, ask to store your important documents in the safe.  I only carry a photocopy of my passport and insurance card when out in a city.  I also try to leave important documents with my family or a close friend before setting out.

A little preparation and vigilance can go a long way in making your trip easy.

The number one thing I think a new backpacker should watch for is how well their pack fits.  I’ve heard from lots of friends that decided to do the Europe trek with ill-fitted packs, and it can completely ruin your day.  Any outfitter that you visit should be able to advise you on the correct fit.  If they don’t, find another store.  Store loyalty isn’t worth a visit to the chiropractor.

I’ve had the same Gregory pack running on two years now, and besides just a smidge of loose stitching I’m having zero problems with it.  But brand isn’t as important as fit, so don’t worry about having that one brand that will make everyone think you’re God’s gift to backpacking.  Just find something that suits your needs and your back, and get on the road!

Howdy folks!

This blog is going to be general advice and travel stories about backpacking and traveling around South America on a budget.  Right now I’m based in Buenos Aires, and hope to travel to Brazil in the near future.  Stay tuned!

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