You have no idea how much respect we have for backpackers and how much we look up to them. Because we can't, for the life of us, imagine how we'd make it alive if we were to go backpacking.
We know traveling backpacking-style is a better way of getting oneself immersed in a country's culture, and can give you unique experiences that you won't get in traditional travel.
It's just that... it's really not for everyone. We are part of that everyone. Don't get us wrong, we are not extravagant travelers either. Remember we don't even fly business class? But, our idea of a vacation is one that is at least convenient. Relaxing. Enjoyable. Pure fun. Unlike some people, we don't have the luxury of traveling for 4 or 5 or 6 months straight. We can't just leave our lives in the Philippines in a snap. When we go out of the country, it's usually just for a few days, a week, or 1 month max. That's why we always want our short vacation to at least be comfortable and leisurely before we go back to chaotic Manila.
According to Wikipedia, backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping in backcountry wilderness. Backpacking is a term that has historically been used to denote a form of low-cost, independent international travel. The factors that traditionally differentiate backpacking from other forms of tourism include but are not limited to the following: use of public transport as a means of travel, preference of youth hostels to traditional hotels, length of the trip vs. conventional vacations, use of a backpack, an interest in meeting the locals as well as seeing the sights. Erik Cohen notes that even though one of the primary aims of backpacking is to seek the authentic, the majority of backpackers spend most of their time interacting with other backpackers.
We know traveling backpacking-style is a better way of getting oneself immersed in a country's culture, and can give you unique experiences that you won't get in traditional travel.
It's just that... it's really not for everyone. We are part of that everyone. Don't get us wrong, we are not extravagant travelers either. Remember we don't even fly business class? But, our idea of a vacation is one that is at least convenient. Relaxing. Enjoyable. Pure fun. Unlike some people, we don't have the luxury of traveling for 4 or 5 or 6 months straight. We can't just leave our lives in the Philippines in a snap. When we go out of the country, it's usually just for a few days, a week, or 1 month max. That's why we always want our short vacation to at least be comfortable and leisurely before we go back to chaotic Manila.
According to Wikipedia, backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping in backcountry wilderness. Backpacking is a term that has historically been used to denote a form of low-cost, independent international travel. The factors that traditionally differentiate backpacking from other forms of tourism include but are not limited to the following: use of public transport as a means of travel, preference of youth hostels to traditional hotels, length of the trip vs. conventional vacations, use of a backpack, an interest in meeting the locals as well as seeing the sights. Erik Cohen notes that even though one of the primary aims of backpacking is to seek the authentic, the majority of backpackers spend most of their time interacting with other backpackers.
Based on that definition, here are 12 reasons why we can never be backpackers.
1. We don't even own a backpack.
Okay we own one, but it's not really the kind of backpack one is going to use for backpacking.
