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Backpacking...

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:12 am
by weedguru_waffles
So next summer after my bf graduates, we may go backpacking through Europe with a few friends.
The only problem is my job. I don't want to quit it, but I doubt anyone will want me leaving for a couple of months or so. But we'll see about that... My job is pretty lenient...

We were just talking briefly about it today, decided that we may stay in hostels...since it's cheaper... but who knows, still a while to go.

Anyways, any tips or advice for backpacking? (perhaps from experience...?)

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:17 am
by Ziggy
Havnt been backpacking myself, but I think its a good idea to be going in a group.

Take lots of pictures if you do go, it sounds like it'll be one memorable experience.

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:33 am
by Bubbles
wow i wish i was my brother right now, hes done everything..

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:11 am
by wgToonces
Would you rather just have *DONE* everything, or would you rather take you time and *DO* everything?

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:52 am
by Bubbles
Toonces wrote:Would you rather just have *DONE* everything, or would you rather take you time and *DO* everything?

when did you turn hippy?

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:00 am
by wgToonces
I haad a reaalisatioonn maaaan.. i'd say it's a mix of the Jager and beer and happiness

Edit: Also, if that's the way hippies think, then go hippies!! lol.

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:05 am
by cutthecashflow
I went through the Northern part of America one time. Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It was a good summer, but I had to learn to live off less than the ideal when I was out there. Camping was great though, not sure if thats what your doing or not of if your going to hit up motels and stuff. But besides a lack of money I met some intersting people, seen some beuatiful landscape, and gain a greater sense of inner self after the trip. I guess in America it can be hard to hitch a ride from time to time and on more than one occassion I cheated and took a train, but that is still fun in itself. Maybe people in Europe are more obliged to pick you up on the road, Im not sure never been there. It was the naturally outdoor experience I was going for, being the rugged man going from remote wilderness sites and little towns all over Northern America. Although I spent a little too much time, money, and boozing in Duluth, but hell that's what Duluth is for.

I hope you have a great time!

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:54 am
by WeedGuru_Flow
I went backpacking through italy in September, all you really need is enough cash money, a tent and a trekking pack.


If you plan on visiting Belgium let me know, i'll show you around a bit :)

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:34 pm
by wgToonces
cutthecashflow wrote:I went through the Northern part of America one time. Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It was a good summer, but I had to learn to live off less than the ideal when I was out there. Camping was great though, not sure if thats what your doing or not of if your going to hit up motels and stuff. But besides a lack of money I met some intersting people, seen some beuatiful landscape, and gain a greater sense of inner self after the trip. I guess in America it can be hard to hitch a ride from time to time and on more than one occassion I cheated and took a train, but that is still fun in itself. Maybe people in Europe are more obliged to pick you up on the road, Im not sure never been there. It was the naturally outdoor experience I was going for, being the rugged man going from remote wilderness sites and little towns all over Northern America. Although I spent a little too much time, money, and boozing in Duluth, but hell that's what Duluth is for.

I hope you have a great time!

Damn man, that sounds like one crazy time you had... Did you go there alone?

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:54 pm
by cutthecashflow
^Went with two other guys, but one dropped out once we got half way through North Dakota, so me and my other mate finished off the trip.

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:15 pm
by wgToonces
Ah, would've been cooler if you did do it alone

Image

Haha, but nah, that would be amazing to just get up and do that one day. Would need some funds first though.

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 2:22 am
by (weedguru)scarf
im not sure if trekking etc is what sasha means when she says backpacking...
when aussies say backpacking it means that instead of a suitcase they have one of those big hikers packs instead...
but yes hostels are involved... and cheap eats, but you still do all the tourist/city things..

I would recommend you look at hostelworld.com for cheap places to stay...
hostels are great, esp the bigger ones because you get good food, clean rooms, and meet a shit load of people
and all for half the price of hotels. The only problem is that you sleep in bunks and share the rooms with people you dont know.

I did Rome, Amsterdam, Paris and London.
The Amsterdam hostels were by far the best... London the worst.

Dont travel through europe by train unless its something you specifically want to do... i guess the overnighters are ok,
but if you are planned you can pick up flights for 1 euro etc to and from the main cities, which we found to be ridiculously cheap
compared to the railpass.

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 5:06 am
by cutthecashflow
Toonces wrote:Ah, would've been cooler if you did do it alone

Image

Haha, but nah, that would be amazing to just get up and do that one day. Would need some funds first though.

Well that was the plan, but when you start telling people your plans they all want to come. It was like 8 people that wanted to come, but that would have taken away from the whole experience. Once it got down to two of us it wasnt so bad.

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:10 am
by WeedGuru_Flow
Yeah, me and my best friend backpacked through Italy, when we told people about our plans there were at least 5 others that wanted to join but as you say CTCF, it's a way more interesting experience when it's just you and a person you know and trust, bigger groups tend to change the dynamics between you and the local population, two people get way more interaction with locals.

Re: Backpacking...

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:33 am
by andriaSRH
cutthecashflow wrote:I went through the Northern part of America one time. Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It was a good summer, but I had to learn to live off less than the ideal when I was out there. Camping was great though, not sure if thats what your doing or not of if your going to hit up motels and stuff. But besides a lack of money I met some intersting people, seen some beuatiful landscape, and gain a greater sense of inner self after the trip. I guess in America it can be hard to hitch a ride from time to time and on more than one occassion I cheated and took a train, but that is still fun in itself. Maybe people in Europe are more obliged to pick you up on the road, Im not sure never been there. It was the naturally outdoor experience I was going for, being the rugged man going from remote wilderness sites and little towns all over Northern America. Although I spent a little too much time, money, and boozing in Duluth, but hell that's what Duluth is for.

I hope you have a great time!
For the first part it sounded like you were a hobo hitching rides from people :lol: It's cool that you had that experience. I wish I could live in the wilderness for a couple months.



Waffles I know nothing about backpacking, but if you go I hope you have a sweet time. Hit up all the european weedguruians and get them to smoke you up. :wink: