Monday, August 08, 2005
Rhode Island rules. truly.
But I was not asked to comment on my daily life here, instead it was requested that I write a little more about traveling. Well let me enlighten those of you who don't know- I'm about to introduce to you the backpacking subculture. Or, at least my experience of the American version.
To be a backpacker:
Before your trip, you must buy a backpack. As it defines you as a backpacker and will accompany you on all of your journeys providing that it doesn't get stolen, you buy a nice one. You ask the REI/EMS/other real outfitter for advice and even get measured, adjusted, the whole deal. Metal frame? That's up to you- not necessary though. Ask if it has a rain cover. If you are majorly paranoid, you buy a crazy metal lock thing that goes over your whole bag and prevents people from breaking into it. If you are silly, you buy one with wheels. (This is a joke and a jab at a friend that did this, went out on his trip, then returned to the U.S. and traded for a no-wheeler. Hey, I didn't mention any names so chill out.)
You must also buy a Lonely Planet book on your destination of choice. Non-Americans sometimes buy the Rough Guide book. However, if you are going to Asia, don't buy either because there are bootleg English copies everywhere.
You book a flight (from STA if you can say you are a student- you usually don't need to prove it) and get a visa if you need it for the first country you are going to. Do you need malaria pills?
Pack 2-3 bottoms, 3-4 tops (buy a couple items of clothing once you get there and see what you want to be wearing- it's CHEAP! and then it counts as a cool souvenir when you get back), 2-3 socks, underwear, bathing suit unless you want to buy it there, some toiletries (you can buy everything there cheaper), flip flops, a knife, a book, a flashlight, sunscreen, sunglasses if you won't lose them, a day bag, small alarm clock or watch with alarm, camara, cash, credit card, passport. All you really need is your credit card and passport, so if you are freaking out that you've forgotten something, it's really just a two item list. credit card- check, passport- check, ready to go. wear your sneakers and sweatshirt/jacket on the plane.
You DO NOT look at where you are going after the initial destination. You DO NOT book a hotel.
In the plane, open your Lonely Planet and decide what area of the city you want to stay in, and how far away it is from the airport. It's usually far- you luck out, no walking.
At the airport, you say NO to every taxi that offers you a ride. You go to the information booth (yes, carrying your big backpack- get used to it) and ask if there is a bus you can take to the city. If it leaves anywhere under 3 hour wait, you probably hang around and take it.
You double check that someone on the bus will tell you where to get off. You may have to ask several people to find one you feel confident about.
You either have a place picked out in your guide to use as a starting point to ask about available rooms, or just use your judgement as you walk down the street. You do not go into anything that looks nice or says "hotel." Just follow the other backpacks. This will probably be your most expensive night's stay since you are both in a big city and don't know any better. You always get a dorm if you can (4-12 beds in the same room, shared bath, locks available for rent) or share if you are traveling with friends or people you met on the plane or bus in a double or triple. Your room will have a bed, crappy but clean sheets, crappy but dirty blanket, pillow, nightstand, light, and maybe a fan, mirror, window or some other luxury item.
Make sure your passport and credit card are in a safe place...in your pillowcase? or maybe the front desk has a safe? but don't forget it in the morning!! Now you can look at the Lonely Planet and decide what you want to do in the city and how many days you might need to spend there.
The next day, you leave your backpack but take your passport and guide book in your day bag and walk around the city if you can. Buy a bottle of water first, maybe a snack or two because you only eat one or two meals. If you need public non-metered transport, then you bargain the price. You will still probably get ripped off, but you'll figure it out and get progressively lower as your trip continues, so don't beat yourself up about it. It's probably 50 cents difference.
You MIGHT buy a group tour type-thing, it really depends on what the city has to offer. Usually tours are reserved for overnight adventures to the jungle, river rafting, remote islands, boat trips, etc. Are you hungry? If you are still with the friends, bus/hostel/previous destination people, you might eat at a restaurant. If not, street food or snacks. If you are brave, you can do it alone, but Americans generally only do this if the place that they are staying also has a restaurant attached. If you are with other people, you will also spend half the day figuring out what you are going to do next. This sucks, but good company definitely makes the trip more enjoyable. You can always meet people along the way if you choose to. Or you can just be friendly when you finish your book so that you can trade with someone else, and go back along on your happy hermit way.
But being in Rhode Island is better. Unless anyone is up for India? :)
But I was not asked to comment on my daily life here, instead it was requested that I write a little more about traveling. Well let me enlighten those of you who don't know- I'm about to introduce to you the backpacking subculture. Or, at least my experience of the American version.
To be a backpacker:
Before your trip, you must buy a backpack. As it defines you as a backpacker and will accompany you on all of your journeys providing that it doesn't get stolen, you buy a nice one. You ask the REI/EMS/other real outfitter for advice and even get measured, adjusted, the whole deal. Metal frame? That's up to you- not necessary though. Ask if it has a rain cover. If you are majorly paranoid, you buy a crazy metal lock thing that goes over your whole bag and prevents people from breaking into it. If you are silly, you buy one with wheels. (This is a joke and a jab at a friend that did this, went out on his trip, then returned to the U.S. and traded for a no-wheeler. Hey, I didn't mention any names so chill out.)
You must also buy a Lonely Planet book on your destination of choice. Non-Americans sometimes buy the Rough Guide book. However, if you are going to Asia, don't buy either because there are bootleg English copies everywhere.
You book a flight (from STA if you can say you are a student- you usually don't need to prove it) and get a visa if you need it for the first country you are going to. Do you need malaria pills?
Pack 2-3 bottoms, 3-4 tops (buy a couple items of clothing once you get there and see what you want to be wearing- it's CHEAP! and then it counts as a cool souvenir when you get back), 2-3 socks, underwear, bathing suit unless you want to buy it there, some toiletries (you can buy everything there cheaper), flip flops, a knife, a book, a flashlight, sunscreen, sunglasses if you won't lose them, a day bag, small alarm clock or watch with alarm, camara, cash, credit card, passport. All you really need is your credit card and passport, so if you are freaking out that you've forgotten something, it's really just a two item list. credit card- check, passport- check, ready to go. wear your sneakers and sweatshirt/jacket on the plane.
You DO NOT look at where you are going after the initial destination. You DO NOT book a hotel.
In the plane, open your Lonely Planet and decide what area of the city you want to stay in, and how far away it is from the airport. It's usually far- you luck out, no walking.
At the airport, you say NO to every taxi that offers you a ride. You go to the information booth (yes, carrying your big backpack- get used to it) and ask if there is a bus you can take to the city. If it leaves anywhere under 3 hour wait, you probably hang around and take it.
You double check that someone on the bus will tell you where to get off. You may have to ask several people to find one you feel confident about.
You either have a place picked out in your guide to use as a starting point to ask about available rooms, or just use your judgement as you walk down the street. You do not go into anything that looks nice or says "hotel." Just follow the other backpacks. This will probably be your most expensive night's stay since you are both in a big city and don't know any better. You always get a dorm if you can (4-12 beds in the same room, shared bath, locks available for rent) or share if you are traveling with friends or people you met on the plane or bus in a double or triple. Your room will have a bed, crappy but clean sheets, crappy but dirty blanket, pillow, nightstand, light, and maybe a fan, mirror, window or some other luxury item.
Make sure your passport and credit card are in a safe place...in your pillowcase? or maybe the front desk has a safe? but don't forget it in the morning!! Now you can look at the Lonely Planet and decide what you want to do in the city and how many days you might need to spend there.
The next day, you leave your backpack but take your passport and guide book in your day bag and walk around the city if you can. Buy a bottle of water first, maybe a snack or two because you only eat one or two meals. If you need public non-metered transport, then you bargain the price. You will still probably get ripped off, but you'll figure it out and get progressively lower as your trip continues, so don't beat yourself up about it. It's probably 50 cents difference.
You MIGHT buy a group tour type-thing, it really depends on what the city has to offer. Usually tours are reserved for overnight adventures to the jungle, river rafting, remote islands, boat trips, etc. Are you hungry? If you are still with the friends, bus/hostel/previous destination people, you might eat at a restaurant. If not, street food or snacks. If you are brave, you can do it alone, but Americans generally only do this if the place that they are staying also has a restaurant attached. If you are with other people, you will also spend half the day figuring out what you are going to do next. This sucks, but good company definitely makes the trip more enjoyable. You can always meet people along the way if you choose to. Or you can just be friendly when you finish your book so that you can trade with someone else, and go back along on your happy hermit way.
But being in Rhode Island is better. Unless anyone is up for India? :)
