Research on backpackers
Apr 18th 2005 | 6:01 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Research on backpackers
Dear backpacker,
For the completion of my master studies at Tilburg University in the
Netherlands, I am carrying out a research on the backpack-phenomenon.
This research focuses on the behaviour of backpackers, before, during
and after their journey.
For my research I am looking for people who have been backpacking
(unorganised) for 4 weeks or more and have one of the following
nationalities- American, Australian, Austrian, British, Danish,
Dutch, Finnish, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian,
Portuguese, Swedish, South African or Swiss.
You can download the questionnaire at www.i-d.nl or you can
contact me through [email protected] and I will
send you the questionnaire.
You would help me a lot.......Thank you in advance for your time and
effort!!!!!!!!
Regards,
Ronald Scheepens
For the completion of my master studies at Tilburg University in the
Netherlands, I am carrying out a research on the backpack-phenomenon.
This research focuses on the behaviour of backpackers, before, during
and after their journey.
For my research I am looking for people who have been backpacking
(unorganised) for 4 weeks or more and have one of the following
nationalities- American, Australian, Austrian, British, Danish,
Dutch, Finnish, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian,
Portuguese, Swedish, South African or Swiss.
You can download the questionnaire at www.i-d.nl or you can
contact me through [email protected] and I will
send you the questionnaire.
You would help me a lot.......Thank you in advance for your time and
effort!!!!!!!!
Regards,
Ronald Scheepens
Apr 18th 2005 | 7:24 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
1. Five points if you ever went two weeks without a shower.
2. Five points if you ever paid less than $5 for a room.
3. Five point if you ever slept with more than five different people in
a one-week period. Ten points if they weren't all high or drunk.
4. Five points if a border guard took one look at your passport and
frisked you.
5. In Thailand, add five points if you were an audience volunteer in a
sex show. Add ten points if you caught the ping pong ball.
6. In India, add five points for each involuntary bodily function. Add
ten points if you can identify exactly which meal was the source of
those involuntary bodily functions.
7. In Europe, add five points for any city where you just got drunk and
high with Americans and Aussies and didn't meet any local people or see
any museums, churches, or historical sites.
8. Add five points for any attempts at finding a "culture untouched by
modernity" that wound up being people in T-shirts drinking coke and
watching DVDs.
9. Add five points if you've ridden a motorcycle without a helmet on a
horrible Third World road.
10. Add five points if you've ever bargained over an item that costs
less than $1.
11. Finally, add five points if you've ever complained about a place
being "overcommercialized" or "better five years ago", or if you called
some random Eastern European shithole "The New Prague".
2. Five points if you ever paid less than $5 for a room.
3. Five point if you ever slept with more than five different people in
a one-week period. Ten points if they weren't all high or drunk.
4. Five points if a border guard took one look at your passport and
frisked you.
5. In Thailand, add five points if you were an audience volunteer in a
sex show. Add ten points if you caught the ping pong ball.
6. In India, add five points for each involuntary bodily function. Add
ten points if you can identify exactly which meal was the source of
those involuntary bodily functions.
7. In Europe, add five points for any city where you just got drunk and
high with Americans and Aussies and didn't meet any local people or see
any museums, churches, or historical sites.
8. Add five points for any attempts at finding a "culture untouched by
modernity" that wound up being people in T-shirts drinking coke and
watching DVDs.
9. Add five points if you've ridden a motorcycle without a helmet on a
horrible Third World road.
10. Add five points if you've ever bargained over an item that costs
less than $1.
11. Finally, add five points if you've ever complained about a place
being "overcommercialized" or "better five years ago", or if you called
some random Eastern European shithole "The New Prague".
Apr 18th 2005 | 8:22 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On 18 Apr 2005 12:24:41 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>1. Five points if you ever went two weeks without a shower.
>2. Five points if you ever paid less than $5 for a room.
>3. Five point if you ever slept with more than five different people in
>a one-week period. Ten points if they weren't all high or drunk.
>4. Five points if a border guard took one look at your passport and
>frisked you.
>5. In Thailand, add five points if you were an audience volunteer in a
>sex show. Add ten points if you caught the ping pong ball.
>6. In India, add five points for each involuntary bodily function. Add
>ten points if you can identify exactly which meal was the source of
>those involuntary bodily functions.
>7. In Europe, add five points for any city where you just got drunk and
>high with Americans and Aussies and didn't meet any local people or see
>any museums, churches, or historical sites.
>8. Add five points for any attempts at finding a "culture untouched by
>modernity" that wound up being people in T-shirts drinking coke and
>watching DVDs.
>9. Add five points if you've ridden a motorcycle without a helmet on a
>horrible Third World road.
>10. Add five points if you've ever bargained over an item that costs
>less than $1.
>11. Finally, add five points if you've ever complained about a place
>being "overcommercialized" or "better five years ago", or if you called
>some random Eastern European shithole "The New Prague".
<<applause>>
PMSL
Keith, Bristol, UK
DE-MUNG for email replies
>1. Five points if you ever went two weeks without a shower.
>2. Five points if you ever paid less than $5 for a room.
>3. Five point if you ever slept with more than five different people in
>a one-week period. Ten points if they weren't all high or drunk.
>4. Five points if a border guard took one look at your passport and
>frisked you.
>5. In Thailand, add five points if you were an audience volunteer in a
>sex show. Add ten points if you caught the ping pong ball.
>6. In India, add five points for each involuntary bodily function. Add
>ten points if you can identify exactly which meal was the source of
>those involuntary bodily functions.
>7. In Europe, add five points for any city where you just got drunk and
>high with Americans and Aussies and didn't meet any local people or see
>any museums, churches, or historical sites.
>8. Add five points for any attempts at finding a "culture untouched by
>modernity" that wound up being people in T-shirts drinking coke and
>watching DVDs.
>9. Add five points if you've ridden a motorcycle without a helmet on a
>horrible Third World road.
>10. Add five points if you've ever bargained over an item that costs
>less than $1.
>11. Finally, add five points if you've ever complained about a place
>being "overcommercialized" or "better five years ago", or if you called
>some random Eastern European shithole "The New Prague".
<<applause>>
PMSL
Keith, Bristol, UK
DE-MUNG for email replies
Apr 18th 2005 | 8:28 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
Hi,
[email protected] wrote:
> 1. Five points if you ever went two weeks without a shower.
[...]
There's a grain of truth there... or a whole sack of it, in this case...
Ralph
--
For contact details, please see www.ralphholz.de.
[email protected] wrote:
> 1. Five points if you ever went two weeks without a shower.
[...]
There's a grain of truth there... or a whole sack of it, in this case...
Ralph
--
For contact details, please see www.ralphholz.de.
Apr 18th 2005 | 9:07 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On 18 Apr 2005 18:01:24 GMT, [email protected]lid
(Ronald) wrote:
>Dear backpacker,
>For the completion of my master studies at Tilburg University in the
>Netherlands, I am carrying out a research on the backpack-phenomenon.
>This research focuses on the behaviour of backpackers, before, during
>and after their journey.
I have observed people who call themselves backpackers
for about 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for
sure -- but more about appearing to be a world traveler
than actually being one. It is hard for me to understand
why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
These kids, and usually they are young, appear very self
conscious about their status as they struggle to squeeze into
public transport and train corridors. I have nothing against
traveling on the cheap -- I do so myself -- but does one need
to take along everything one owns and more when visiting
countries that have everything at hand one can find at home?
It seems there is more to gain somehow by saying "I'm going to
backpack through Europe" than just saying "I'm going to travel
through Europe." Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
travel?
Now I will duck when the responses come, if any.
(Ronald) wrote:
>Dear backpacker,
>For the completion of my master studies at Tilburg University in the
>Netherlands, I am carrying out a research on the backpack-phenomenon.
>This research focuses on the behaviour of backpackers, before, during
>and after their journey.
I have observed people who call themselves backpackers
for about 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for
sure -- but more about appearing to be a world traveler
than actually being one. It is hard for me to understand
why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
These kids, and usually they are young, appear very self
conscious about their status as they struggle to squeeze into
public transport and train corridors. I have nothing against
traveling on the cheap -- I do so myself -- but does one need
to take along everything one owns and more when visiting
countries that have everything at hand one can find at home?
It seems there is more to gain somehow by saying "I'm going to
backpack through Europe" than just saying "I'm going to travel
through Europe." Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
travel?
Now I will duck when the responses come, if any.
Apr 18th 2005 | 9:27 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
>On 18 Apr 2005 18:01:24 GMT, [email protected]lid
>(Ronald) wrote:
>>Dear backpacker,
>>For the completion of my master studies at Tilburg University in the
>>Netherlands, I am carrying out a research on the backpack-phenomenon.
>>This research focuses on the behaviour of backpackers, before, during
>>and after their journey.
>I have observed people who call themselves backpackers
>for about 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for
>sure -- but more about appearing to be a world traveler
>than actually being one. It is hard for me to understand
>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
>These kids, and usually they are young, appear very self
>conscious about their status as they struggle to squeeze into
>public transport and train corridors. I have nothing against
>traveling on the cheap -- I do so myself -- but does one need
>to take along everything one owns and more when visiting
>countries that have everything at hand one can find at home?
Their moms/mums do the packing.
>It seems there is more to gain somehow by saying "I'm going to
>backpack through Europe" than just saying "I'm going to travel
>through Europe." Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>travel?
According to Mixi yes.
>Now I will duck when the responses come, if any.
>On 18 Apr 2005 18:01:24 GMT, [email protected]lid
>(Ronald) wrote:
>>Dear backpacker,
>>For the completion of my master studies at Tilburg University in the
>>Netherlands, I am carrying out a research on the backpack-phenomenon.
>>This research focuses on the behaviour of backpackers, before, during
>>and after their journey.
>I have observed people who call themselves backpackers
>for about 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for
>sure -- but more about appearing to be a world traveler
>than actually being one. It is hard for me to understand
>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
>These kids, and usually they are young, appear very self
>conscious about their status as they struggle to squeeze into
>public transport and train corridors. I have nothing against
>traveling on the cheap -- I do so myself -- but does one need
>to take along everything one owns and more when visiting
>countries that have everything at hand one can find at home?
Their moms/mums do the packing.
>It seems there is more to gain somehow by saying "I'm going to
>backpack through Europe" than just saying "I'm going to travel
>through Europe." Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>travel?
According to Mixi yes.
>Now I will duck when the responses come, if any.
Apr 18th 2005 | 9:46 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
> It is hard for me to understand
>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
rucksack.
>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>travel?
It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
just not have the appropriate equipment?
I don't think you can really comment on how much someone has packed
unless you also know what they've packed, and what they're doing with
it? Lots of people certainly pack grossly inappropriate stuff though.
Jim.
> It is hard for me to understand
>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
rucksack.
>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>travel?
It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
just not have the appropriate equipment?
I don't think you can really comment on how much someone has packed
unless you also know what they've packed, and what they're doing with
it? Lots of people certainly pack grossly inappropriate stuff though.
Jim.
Apr 18th 2005 | 10:06 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
"Jim Ley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
>> It is hard for me to understand
>>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
> I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
> backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
> rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
> it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
> hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
> the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
> language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
> rucksack.
>>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>>travel?
> It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
> boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
> compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
> away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
> just not have the appropriate equipment?
Buying hiking boots is the easy bit, breaking them in
is (literally) the painful but in my experience.
Keith
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
>> It is hard for me to understand
>>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
> I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
> backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
> rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
> it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
> hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
> the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
> language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
> rucksack.
>>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>>travel?
> It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
> boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
> compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
> away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
> just not have the appropriate equipment?
Buying hiking boots is the easy bit, breaking them in
is (literally) the painful but in my experience.
Keith
Apr 18th 2005 | 10:24 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:46:52 GMT, [email protected] (Jim Ley) wrote:
>On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
>> It is hard for me to understand
>>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
>I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
>backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
>rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
>it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
>hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
>the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
>language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
>rucksack.
>>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>>travel?
>It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
>boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
>compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
>away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
>just not have the appropriate equipment?
>I don't think you can really comment on how much someone has packed
>unless you also know what they've packed, and what they're doing with
>it? Lots of people certainly pack grossly inappropriate stuff though.
I've stayed in enough hostels to see what many pack. As they rummage
through their packs and pull stuff out.
Obviously if you are hiking in the Alps you need hiking boots. But
I've run across few real outdoor enthusiasts in city hostels. More
enthusiasts for night life.
>Jim.
>On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
>> It is hard for me to understand
>>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
>I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
>backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
>rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
>it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
>hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
>the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
>language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
>rucksack.
>>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>>travel?
>It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
>boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
>compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
>away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
>just not have the appropriate equipment?
>I don't think you can really comment on how much someone has packed
>unless you also know what they've packed, and what they're doing with
>it? Lots of people certainly pack grossly inappropriate stuff though.
I've stayed in enough hostels to see what many pack. As they rummage
through their packs and pull stuff out.
Obviously if you are hiking in the Alps you need hiking boots. But
I've run across few real outdoor enthusiasts in city hostels. More
enthusiasts for night life.
>Jim.
Apr 18th 2005 | 10:24 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
> I have observed people who call themselves backpackers for about
> 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for sure -- but more
> about appearing to be a world traveler than actually being one. It
> is hard for me to understand why people want to burden themselves
> with huge packs full of dirty clothing when they could, in the
> hostels they favor, just wash out a few things now and then and
> travel light.
Don't quite a lot of backpackers travel light?
Marion & I use backpacks - usually our luggage combined weighs less
than one person's allowance. (I've used the same 45-litre pack for
20 years).
You may be thinking of backandfrontpackers, the people who balance
a 75-litre backpack with a 25-litre pseudopregnancy. They're mad.
============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk ==============
Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975
stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800 739 557
> 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for sure -- but more
> about appearing to be a world traveler than actually being one. It
> is hard for me to understand why people want to burden themselves
> with huge packs full of dirty clothing when they could, in the
> hostels they favor, just wash out a few things now and then and
> travel light.
Don't quite a lot of backpackers travel light?
Marion & I use backpacks - usually our luggage combined weighs less
than one person's allowance. (I've used the same 45-litre pack for
20 years).
You may be thinking of backandfrontpackers, the people who balance
a 75-litre backpack with a 25-litre pseudopregnancy. They're mad.
============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk ==============
Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975
stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800 739 557
Apr 18th 2005 | 10:30 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 23:24:42 +0100, Jack Campin - bogus address
<[email protected]> wrote:
>> I have observed people who call themselves backpackers for about
>> 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for sure -- but more
>> about appearing to be a world traveler than actually being one. It
>> is hard for me to understand why people want to burden themselves
>> with huge packs full of dirty clothing when they could, in the
>> hostels they favor, just wash out a few things now and then and
>> travel light.
>Don't quite a lot of backpackers travel light?
>Marion & I use backpacks - usually our luggage combined weighs less
>than one person's allowance. (I've used the same 45-litre pack for
>20 years).
>You may be thinking of backandfrontpackers, the people who balance
>a 75-litre backpack with a 25-litre pseudopregnancy. They're mad.
I had in mind the huge packs -- I've had a smallish backpack myself
that could be used as a backpack with handles to carry if I wish.
It is easier to go up and down stairs with a light backpack than
with luggage on wheels. But my smallish backpack and a small bag on
wheels hold the same amount. Luggage weight does concern me as I
hate to be carrying one bit more around than I must.
<[email protected]> wrote:
>> I have observed people who call themselves backpackers for about
>> 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for sure -- but more
>> about appearing to be a world traveler than actually being one. It
>> is hard for me to understand why people want to burden themselves
>> with huge packs full of dirty clothing when they could, in the
>> hostels they favor, just wash out a few things now and then and
>> travel light.
>Don't quite a lot of backpackers travel light?
>Marion & I use backpacks - usually our luggage combined weighs less
>than one person's allowance. (I've used the same 45-litre pack for
>20 years).
>You may be thinking of backandfrontpackers, the people who balance
>a 75-litre backpack with a 25-litre pseudopregnancy. They're mad.
I had in mind the huge packs -- I've had a smallish backpack myself
that could be used as a backpack with handles to carry if I wish.
It is easier to go up and down stairs with a light backpack than
with luggage on wheels. But my smallish backpack and a small bag on
wheels hold the same amount. Luggage weight does concern me as I
hate to be carrying one bit more around than I must.
Apr 18th 2005 | 12:41 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
Ever heard of the proverbial 'Backpacker in a China Shop'...?...<g>
I wasn't looking for pottery and glassware but did find mine banned from
all the liquor shops I visited in Rudesheim, Germany while searching out
just the right bottle of Asbach brandy. Apparently there had been a
number of unfortunate 'backpack' incidents involving expensive floor
washes...
Tim K
"Jack Campin - bogus address" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > I have observed people who call themselves backpackers for about
> > 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for sure -- but more
> > about appearing to be a world traveler than actually being one. It
> > is hard for me to understand why people want to burden themselves
> > with huge packs full of dirty clothing when they could, in the
> > hostels they favor, just wash out a few things now and then and
> > travel light.
> Don't quite a lot of backpackers travel light?
> Marion & I use backpacks - usually our luggage combined weighs less
> than one person's allowance. (I've used the same 45-litre pack for
> 20 years).
> You may be thinking of backandfrontpackers, the people who balance
> a 75-litre backpack with a 25-litre pseudopregnancy. They're mad.
> ============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk
==============
> Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131
660 4760
> <http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870
0554 975
> stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800
739 557
I wasn't looking for pottery and glassware but did find mine banned from
all the liquor shops I visited in Rudesheim, Germany while searching out
just the right bottle of Asbach brandy. Apparently there had been a
number of unfortunate 'backpack' incidents involving expensive floor
washes...
Tim K
"Jack Campin - bogus address" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > I have observed people who call themselves backpackers for about
> > 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for sure -- but more
> > about appearing to be a world traveler than actually being one. It
> > is hard for me to understand why people want to burden themselves
> > with huge packs full of dirty clothing when they could, in the
> > hostels they favor, just wash out a few things now and then and
> > travel light.
> Don't quite a lot of backpackers travel light?
> Marion & I use backpacks - usually our luggage combined weighs less
> than one person's allowance. (I've used the same 45-litre pack for
> 20 years).
> You may be thinking of backandfrontpackers, the people who balance
> a 75-litre backpack with a 25-litre pseudopregnancy. They're mad.
> ============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk
==============
> Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131
660 4760
> <http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870
0554 975
> stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800
739 557
Apr 18th 2005 | 7:29 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 23:06:55 +0100, "Keith W"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>"Jim Ley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> It is hard for me to understand
>>>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>>>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>>>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
>> I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
>> backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
>> rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
>> it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
>> hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
>> the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
>> language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
>> rucksack.
>>>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>>>travel?
>> It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
>> boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
>> compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
>> away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
>> just not have the appropriate equipment?
>Buying hiking boots is the easy bit, breaking them in
>is (literally) the painful but in my experience.
I have had to do this a number of times, and can offer some tips, as
my feet are wide, and always suffer in new shoes.
-Buy GOOD boots. They should last you for over a decade if looked
after well.
-Wear them around the house a bit first. NEVER attempt a long walk in
new boots.
-Apply a bit of methylated spirits to your heels and toes. It will
toughen the skin up a bit.
-Wear two pairs of thin socks instead of one thick pair.
-Ride a bicycle with the boots on. The action is far more gentle than
walking, and will stretch them more gradually.
-Take sports tape with you on the first decent walk. Apply it as soon
as you can feel any discomfort. Don't wait until the blister starts.
-Don't try to break boots in with wet or sweaty feet.
-Learn to lace to boots up properly. If your feet are wide, like mine,
skipping a few eyelets can make a world of difference.
After the fist 50km of walking, they should feel like an extension of
your feet. I am still using a pair of 12 y.o. Scarpas, and they are
wonderful. I have gone at least 1000 km in them through some really
hard terrain too. Despite some scratches on the outside, they are
still in excellent condition.
One more important note. After wearing hiking boots for a long time,
you are liable to twist your ankle more easily when you wear another
type of shoe without the ankle support.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
<[email protected]> wrote:
>"Jim Ley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:07:57 GMT, Rita <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> It is hard for me to understand
>>>why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
>>>of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
>>>just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
>> I'm a "backpacker" in the sense that I stay in hostels and only use a
>> backpack for luggage, rather than anything else (I also use the same
>> rucksack in 5* places, I get disapproving from the staff there) but
>> it's not full of clothes, it's got the laptop (I still work when in
>> hostels), the camera equipment, the books I'm reading (normally 4-6,
>> the book exchange is often absent of full of crap, the English
>> language bookshop full of expensive crap) all of it fills up the
>> rucksack.
>>>Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
>>>travel?
>> It depends, is the cost (in terms of inconvenience) of bringing the
>> boots with you for your planned week hiking in the alps worthwhile
>> compared to the cost of getting your boots locally then throwing them
>> away as you don't have a large pack to store them in? Or should you
>> just not have the appropriate equipment?
>Buying hiking boots is the easy bit, breaking them in
>is (literally) the painful but in my experience.
I have had to do this a number of times, and can offer some tips, as
my feet are wide, and always suffer in new shoes.
-Buy GOOD boots. They should last you for over a decade if looked
after well.
-Wear them around the house a bit first. NEVER attempt a long walk in
new boots.
-Apply a bit of methylated spirits to your heels and toes. It will
toughen the skin up a bit.
-Wear two pairs of thin socks instead of one thick pair.
-Ride a bicycle with the boots on. The action is far more gentle than
walking, and will stretch them more gradually.
-Take sports tape with you on the first decent walk. Apply it as soon
as you can feel any discomfort. Don't wait until the blister starts.
-Don't try to break boots in with wet or sweaty feet.
-Learn to lace to boots up properly. If your feet are wide, like mine,
skipping a few eyelets can make a world of difference.
After the fist 50km of walking, they should feel like an extension of
your feet. I am still using a pair of 12 y.o. Scarpas, and they are
wonderful. I have gone at least 1000 km in them through some really
hard terrain too. Despite some scratches on the outside, they are
still in excellent condition.
One more important note. After wearing hiking boots for a long time,
you are liable to twist your ankle more easily when you wear another
type of shoe without the ankle support.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Apr 18th 2005 | 7:32 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 00:41:07 GMT, "Timothy Kroesen"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Ever heard of the proverbial 'Backpacker in a China Shop'...?...<g>
>I wasn't looking for pottery and glassware but did find mine banned from
>all the liquor shops I visited in Rudesheim, Germany while searching out
>just the right bottle of Asbach brandy. Apparently there had been a
>number of unfortunate 'backpack' incidents involving expensive floor
>washes...
In Romania I accidently knocked a scanner onto the floor of an
internet cafe with my backpack. After much play around with it, I got
it working again, much to the gratitude of my wallet!
(then quickly skipped town!)
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Ever heard of the proverbial 'Backpacker in a China Shop'...?...<g>
>I wasn't looking for pottery and glassware but did find mine banned from
>all the liquor shops I visited in Rudesheim, Germany while searching out
>just the right bottle of Asbach brandy. Apparently there had been a
>number of unfortunate 'backpack' incidents involving expensive floor
>washes...
In Romania I accidently knocked a scanner onto the floor of an
internet cafe with my backpack. After much play around with it, I got
it working again, much to the gratitude of my wallet!
(then quickly skipped town!)
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Apr 18th 2005 | 10:19 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Research on backpackers
"Rita" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> I have observed people who call themselves backpackers
> for about 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for
> sure -- but more about appearing to be a world traveler
> than actually being one. It is hard for me to understand
> why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
> of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
> just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
Just from my experience: Even when packing light, I always found it
difficult
to manage with less than 60 litres volume (12 kg weight) in a backpack. Many
hostels require sleeping bags, travelling in cold climate calls for a thick
sweater,
and a change of clothing is generally a good idea. Add to that some books,
maps and a diary, a bottle of water and a pocket camera, and you might look
- and feel - as if you're planning a year-long expedition into the arctic,
and still
have to stay at some places longer than you might have wanted to, waiting
for your laundry to dry.
> Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
> travel?
If you're halfway concerned about how you look, you are going to pack a
pair of "nice shoes" for the cities, and a pair of boots for the country. If
you
are more concerned about traveling light, it's better to leave the nice
shoes
than the boots. (Especially since, after a day of treading cobblestones in a
city, you are going to *wish* you had been wearing boots...)
inge
news:[email protected]...
> >
> I have observed people who call themselves backpackers
> for about 20 years now. It seems to be a phenomenum for
> sure -- but more about appearing to be a world traveler
> than actually being one. It is hard for me to understand
> why people want to burden themselves with huge packs full
> of dirty clothing when they could, in the hostels they favor,
> just wash out a few things now and then and travel light.
Just from my experience: Even when packing light, I always found it
difficult
to manage with less than 60 litres volume (12 kg weight) in a backpack. Many
hostels require sleeping bags, travelling in cold climate calls for a thick
sweater,
and a change of clothing is generally a good idea. Add to that some books,
maps and a diary, a bottle of water and a pocket camera, and you might look
- and feel - as if you're planning a year-long expedition into the arctic,
and still
have to stay at some places longer than you might have wanted to, waiting
for your laundry to dry.
> Does one need to wear heavy boots for European
> travel?
If you're halfway concerned about how you look, you are going to pack a
pair of "nice shoes" for the cities, and a pair of boots for the country. If
you
are more concerned about traveling light, it's better to leave the nice
shoes
than the boots. (Especially since, after a day of treading cobblestones in a
city, you are going to *wish* you had been wearing boots...)
inge
