The Backpacker

People have asked me questions relating to travel. No, am not an authority on travel, yet I try, in best possible ways, explain why I travel the way I do. 

I travel because I love to. The destination has never mattered. It could be wandering about with 20 km radius of my home, but I must do it at my pace, see things that I see, observe or feel without interference. It is about being with myself. I never travel in groups, and never with groups of people I know. Their reactions are so predictible, their line of thought can be drawn beforehand. There is no surprise element. There is no excitement of meeting strangers, no scope to explore the way you want. My pace would sometimes involve watching a bird nesting on cliff top at the same time overlookng the cemetery listed in the heritage site. For me, travel is not about how many things I see that others have seen before me, but seeing that I am seeing and feeling differently. (As far as taking picutres is concerned, there are plenty of people around who would gladly press the button for you!!) 

I would, if it came to that, travel with people I know little about. There arises no question of gossiping or rushing. Relaxing in the company of strangers is soemthing one has to master. It gives a sense of protection, excitement, newness. Makes you feel that you are in a new place. Eating with strangers, talking to them in signs or laughter, making your arrangements, freedom to go wrong, freedom to do things right...these are important for me.

Yesterday a friend asked me why I had not asked him along to Hatta. I said I did not like friends for the above reasons. His answer: "Maybe we should have been strangers then." 

"Yes, perhaps," I said. He hung up.

Why do not people understand that traveling is about oneself. Each individual has their idiosyncrasies to put up with, why have other's added to yours? I have never had a "lost feeling" moment on any journey, long or short. Of course I have never scaled a noteworthy mountain yet. It is said that mountains can really depress you.

Lets see if I can set a new record.   

Every word, for you I wrote

Became a legend unforgettable,

Many may read or pay heed

To chapters in between

That marked the end 

Of a new beginning 

Every tear, for you I shed

Became an ocean immeasurable,

In it many may sail, try or fail

Against the waves

That mercilessly crash   

Against my hopes, frail

Every step, towards you I took

Became a milestone in history

Many may, by it walk

Stop, stare or admire or move on

But remain here, forever will I

With your love as my guide…

A Backpacker’s tip to traveling

Okay guys, enough of the other stuff. Here are a few tips I wanna share with you, all this comes from my own trail and error method.

Did I mention anywhere how a backpacker must travel? I suppose not. In fact it never occurred to me until I was addressing a group of people during the International Literary Society of Dubai meet one day (long gone though) that wanna-be travelers did want to know few details about packing and traveling. Although I have written a book on the subject (which has not yet seen the light of the day), I thought it would be easier if posted here on the web log.

Quick tips:

Traveling light means packing light. There will be no fashion crisis if you wear the same trousers for a week.

Family albums, good luck charms and dogs can stay at home, always.

Travel with a backpack. Good to have your hands free (for any emergencies!!), it allows you to walk faster, everything goes into one place, easy to find space to put it, less time to worry about its maintenance and more time to enjoy.

Backpack at your own pace. That is the best way. If you appear soiled or crumpled, it is for the best. No one wants to mug a ragamuffin!! Believe me, it has worked for me!! No one bothers you when you rest in the train stations or bus stand or even park yourself on the beach. You will look as though you belong.

Carrying large amount of cash is risky, but it is a risk you have to take. Good idea would be to roll your money in dirty socks. Appear intelligent and observant yet laid back.

Carry batteries, a small knife, torch, safety pins (yes!!), a chord.

Trust your instincts. They will never go wrong. Know where you must go before you start. If you don’t care where you are going, keep going anyway. Someone is bound to come up with a good suggestion given a chance.

Be alert. Well, that goes without saying. Don’t get dragged into another man’s fight. You were not the cause of it anyway.

As a woman backpacker, it has been fun learning these things on my own. From getting lost to eating rats, I have perhaps seen quite a bit. Yet there is more to learn. Throwing caution to the wind is fine, but it helps to be careful.

Yes, even a backpacker like me needs to learn that!!

Listen when someone tells you something. They could be right.