A Travel and vacations forum. TravelBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » TravelBanter forum » Travelling Style » Backpacking and Budget travel
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Cheap and safe around the world



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #71  
Old October 7th, 2003, 07:47 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cheap and safe around the world

Sorry, yes, I was talking about the more common meaning (budget traveler who
uses hostels and guesthouses and carries his stuff in a backpack), not the
American meaning (long-distance wilderness hiker).


I see now

And in your experience.... hostel travelers are not
wide spread at ALL in the US huh?

IOW...... we as "Americans" do NOT "backpack" in the
European sense.... at all.... even within or own
country?

John
  #72  
Old October 7th, 2003, 11:45 PM
Miguel Cruz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cheap and safe around the world

John wrote:
Sorry, yes, I was talking about the more common meaning (budget traveler
who uses hostels and guesthouses and carries his stuff in a backpack),
not the American meaning (long-distance wilderness hiker).


I see now

And in your experience.... hostel travelers are not wide spread at ALL in
the US huh?


Nope, not really. Here in DC, for example, there are just four or five
hostels, only one of any significant size. A comparable city in Europe would
have 20.

I see maybe one or two backpackers when I go to the train station and 4 or 5
at the airport. In a comparable airport in Europe there would be dozens or
hundreds.

IOW...... we as "Americans" do NOT "backpack" in the European sense.... at
all.... even within or own country?


A little, but the scale is way, way different.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Site remodeled 10-Sept-2003: Hundreds of new photos, easier navigation.
  #73  
Old October 8th, 2003, 12:09 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cheap and safe around the world

I see maybe one or two backpackers when I go to the train station and 4 or 5
at the airport. In a comparable airport in Europe there would be dozens or
hundreds.


Ahh... I see your point exactly now!

I wonder why that is of us "Americans"??

What do you think is the reason?

John
  #74  
Old October 8th, 2003, 12:46 AM
Miguel Cruz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cheap and safe around the world

Johnn wrote:
I see maybe one or two backpackers when I go to the train station and 4
or 5 at the airport. In a comparable airport in Europe there would be
dozens or hundreds.


Ahh... I see your point exactly now!
I wonder why that is of us "Americans"??
What do you think is the reason?


Some speculations:

- Americans tend to drive to vacation spots, so backpacks aren't as essential
as they are when you fly or ride the train/bus.

- Americans do much less international travel than people from any other
wealthy country, so the backpacker culture never reached critical mass.

- Americans are more likely to feel pressure to start working immediately
after high school or college, so the "gap year" phenomenon doesn't really
exist.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Site remodeled 10-Sept-2003: Hundreds of new photos, easier navigation.
  #75  
Old November 17th, 2003, 03:15 AM
SportChick
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cheap and safe around the world

Christopher,

In fact, even Americans are doing this. The first time I thought of doing
one was when I met a couple who was doing an 8 month trip for their
honeymoon. They were sticking to the cheap countries - mainly Asia and
South America plus a little time in the more expensive venue of New Zealand.
In 6 months, the two of them had spent a total of $4,000. Not bad. It got
me thinking.

I can now say that I've got one under the belt. My husband and I spent a
year on the road shortly after getting married. We covered 15 countries
(some not so cheap, unfortunately) and had a fantastic time. We, like many
people, chronicled our travels on our website. You're welcome to take a
look. The address is http://www.KirkandDonna.com/ We met other couples and
singles doing the same thing. Some of their websites are linked to ours.
But you can do a search online and pull up hundreds of round-the-world trip
pages of people doing this sort of thing.

I hope, for your sake and enjoyment, that you decide to take the plunge. It
is a bit nerve-wracking when you are first planning, but believe me, once
you're out there, you'll love it!

Sincerely,

Donna

"Christopher" wrote in message
...
in article , Jim Ley at


wrote on 9/12/03 3:40 PM:

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 19:30:31 GMT, Christopher
wrote:
I know, maybe it is crazy..


It's not crazy, it's something millions of 18yr olds do all the time,
I believe it's obligatory from Australians for example.

Thanks for your reply, Jim. You're saying Australians go after this quite
often? Why would that be?.. just curious. What exactly do the millions

of
18yr olds do, and why might that be? I suppose the danger or "craziness"

of
the trip would all depend on what you plan to do around the place. I

think
I know my limits and anywhere I might want to go will probably not be too
difficult or risky.. Haven't thought about it enough yet, but I figure on
the basics, you know? Probably regular tourist destinations and whatever

it
takes to get a feel for the people and way of life.

I realize this could take a few years
(or more?), and I'm willing to plan for such a length - luckily the

parents
don't have me paying rent here.


Unlikely, depending on the locations you want to visit, the local
salaries available (and I'm assuming you're a USAian here, but any 1st
world countries would be fine, but if you're from Bhutan and planning
this maybe it'll be different), but if you don't party too much, have
no rent, 6 months should be more than enough to get you the cash for a
year away - many countries are very cheap to stay in.

Yeah, I'm in the States (northeastern.) I don't plan on partying - mostly
interested in just seeing the geography and natural everyday things that

go
on in large and small populated areas. What are my housing options? Can
you confirm for me what the 1st world countries are? I can guess.. but,

you
know. Wait.. perhaps you meant that in relation to what sort of job I can
get to raise money..? Anyway, I'd like to know what countries would
probably be the easiest to travel.

How much would it cost?


It depends how much luxury and hand-holding you need, would you be
prepared to hitch between A and B, or do you require a flight. Do you
require Aircon and a Pool where you stay, or just clean with a shower?

How dangerous do you think it'd be to hitch? Would probably be more
interesting than a flight.. but, yeah. Clean with a shower sounds about
right - though I am willing to "rough it".. even further? Backpacking
sounds tough but fun, though I think it would limit my general access..

(ie.
can't pitch a tent in the city.) Perhaps backpack across rural areas..

and
when in urban environment use what it has to offer? Might be a little too
extreme though, do you think?

I would probably need to learn some the basics of many languages..


Always useful, unless you leave the backpacker trail a fair bit, all
you really need is English.

It would be fun and interesting to learn anyway..

Where would I stay?


Where everyone else does.. depending on your budget.

I am/was not sure if I would be able to really afford using the

traditional
lodging venues during a trip around the world.. but I guess the American
dollar is worth quite a bit elsewhere?

Could I even gain access to the countries I wish to travel?


There's few you can't go to if you really want to, some cost a lot of
cash, and hassle to get to, but most are easy enough.

Would you be able to give me an outline of this? Perhaps sum it up to the
best of your knowledge.. and provide a web link, if you have one.

Best way to eat,


One mouthful at a time, chewed 40 times.

Yes, of course! But I was referring to cheapest and safest methods of
obtaining food in foreign countries. I suppose it would not be the best
idea to use restaurants at all times.. Would I even have a choice though?

unless I
can find temporary work in whatever country I happen to be in at that
moment..?


Unlikely to be productive, without a work visa you'll struggle to get
any worthwhile work (you'll waste more time looking than just moving
on to a cheaper country) If you can get a work visa then you can
probably do ok - not sure how easy that is for a USAian, but there's
probably something you can get for Australia or similar.

Someone told me that it's easy to find some work in Ireland or the UK
(though he based it on English being my native language.) You've

mentioned
Australia twice, so my guess is that you're from the land of Oz. Would

this
mean you've travelled the world? What do you mean.. I can get a work visa


headed for Australia? and what would be similar? What kind of work would
you predict?

The simple fact of having to learn the languages could make this
trip relatively impossibly itself.


Not really.

I imagine the whole thing would cost thousands of dollars..


Almost certainly, but McDonalds pays a few hundred a week yeah? get an
evening job too, and you can easily earn the thousands you need
quickly enough - just don't spend much! Treat the lack of rent as
particular good fortune.

Oh, it is! Especially since I'm on 55 wooded acres in a mountainous area
full of state protected land. A pond (2) almost big enough to sail a

small
boat in.. and about ten large koi which I feed every other day.

and how much of it is possible.


All of it's possible, thousands of people have done it.

I'm somewhat unsure this question is genuine, but I've given you the
benefit of the doubt - get a job and you'll be away soon enough, cash
seems to be the only thing you're lacking right now.

Jim.


Do you think it's a worthwhile aspiration? Part of me wonders about

whether
I need this or if simply going to school would be better use of my time

and
money - though I've been having some trouble with myself, and a trip like
this would be somewhat of a "soul-search." It's exciting to think about
anyway, and even if I don't go, I'm sure to learn something about myself

and
this world just in the process of planning. What do you mean about the
question being geniune?


Christopher



  #76  
Old November 17th, 2003, 10:41 AM
Miguel Cruz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cheap and safe around the world

SportChick wrote:
I can now say that I've got one under the belt. My husband and I spent a
year on the road shortly after getting married. We covered 15 countries
(some not so cheap, unfortunately) and had a fantastic time. We, like many
people, chronicled our travels on our website. You're welcome to take a
look. The address is http://www.KirkandDonna.com/ We met other couples and
singles doing the same thing.


BTW there is an ATM at the Saigon airport, it's right at the bottom of the
stairs after you get your passport stamped - I think we passed through there
the same day as you two... (and I see you have a photo of the exact same
Mekong Delta incense-making people that I have on my page)

miguel
--
See the world from your web browser: http://travel.u.nu/
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cheap place to stay in Hong Kong? Doug T Asia 0 September 16th, 2003 12:56 PM
Cheap place to stay in Hong Kong? Rupert Fiennes Asia 1 September 12th, 2003 04:54 PM
Cheap place to stay in Hong Kong? Miguel Cruz Asia 1 September 12th, 2003 04:44 PM
Cheap place to stay in Hong Kong? aimee Asia 2 September 12th, 2003 01:17 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:01 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 TravelBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.