After backpacking my way across Canada, Iceland and the US for more than 11 months, I’ve got some little inside jokes and travel advice worth sharing. If you’re living in Hostel dorms and out of a backpack I’m sure most of you can relate to this. To everybody else this might give you an idea what life on the road feels like.
Cause let’s be honest, the idea to live with only a backpack is romantic and even if at times on the road it feels anything but romantic, I sure wouldn’t want it any other way.
- Having an empty seat next to you on the Greyhound bus feels like an upgrade to first class
- You choose hostels by free breakfast & towels
- You're about to cry realizing somebody stole your Duck Tape! ... Also the washing powder is gone as well...all of it.
- You are more than happy to walk 5 miles to get to a place, if that means you save $3 bugs on public transport
- You travel overnight to save one nights accommodation
- Unpacking your backpack feels like settling down
- You consider staying in one place for weeks “permanent”
- Every time you go food shopping you consider turning vegan when you see the dairy prizes
- One of the best things about hostels: The FREE food section
- Realizing you missed your washing day and all you have left are your bikini bottoms
- Choosing your next location and travel date by the cheapest fare is perfectly fine with you
- Making plans as far ahead as 5 days is all you need
- You choose clothes to carry with you by the amount of space they take up in your bag
- You can’t remember the last time you had a room to yourself
- You gladly spent 3 days on a bus if that means you save $300 bugs compared to plane tickets
- You check your “workaway” and “couchsurfing” accounts more than your facebook
- You know all the Free WIFI areas around your neighbourhood
- NEVER forget the WINDCHILL when spending time outdoors in the canadian winter
- Really winter isn’t that cold NOT until you spent a winter in Canada and -40°C really is BLOODY COLD
- It’s no problem at all to write down your Passport number, it’s the section where you’re supposed to put in your address that bothers you
- You collect stamps in your passport like others collect post stamps and fridge magnets
- While staying in hostels you met people from all five continents during the last few weeks
- A cabin in the woods seems more appealing than a 5-star all inclusive resort holiday
- After two weeks in the same spot you’re dying to move on
- If you feel like your ready to move on – do it!
- If you already made plans, but you realize it’s not what you want – change them!
- If you fall for a place with a smile on your face – stay until you’re ready to move on!
During my times traveling I experienced amazing things, met inspiring people and learnt to listen to what I really want to do instead of the plans previously made. On the road life is different and after weeks or months spent only caring the smallest gear and necessary supplies it’s amazing how little one actually needs. At first you may wonder if the number of T-shirts you carry is enough, but in the end these choices are never what made your trip turn out the way it did. In the end these small decisions you’ve spent weeks worrying about, simply didn’t matter looking at the bigger picture.
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