The Unforeseen Difficulties of Backpacking

Obstacles, hiccups, snags and hurdles- the untold and unforeseen difficulties of backpacking.

Almost like a rite of passage, backpacking is riddled with hardships. It might be your everyday missing the bus to your next destination, or it might be being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Regardless, no backpacker’s journey is without its tales of triumph against the vile forces of (mostly) unfortunate luck.

When you embark on that amazing journey to the unknown without much more than a bag on your back, you never imagine the day you will miss your flight, have your wallet stolen, and stay up 30 hours straight because the armed guards in a remote airport threaten you with their guns every fifteen god damn minutes (all that in the span of a week).

Well, lucky for you, I have collected an array of struggles that, for me, were the hardest to deal with.

1. Being alone.

There are going to be times you will just not find the right fit, not be in the right state of mind, or there just won’t be any people around you.

For me, it happened right after a big friend group I was a part of had split up. Suddenly, I went from being surrounded by people who I considered to be my good friends to being surrounded by strangers.

It’s not like there weren’t any people to talk to- it just doesn’t feel the same sometimes. And honestly, it’s exhausting to bounce back to the market after such a tough break-up (believe it or not, that’s how it feels like for me).

It may feel like you will never regain what you had and trying seems rather pointless. Trust me, it’s never pointless.

Before I had left my tight-knit group of friends, my whole day was scheduled around what we did as a group, what we ate together, and how we planned ahead. Afterwards, I just felt empty. I didn’t fit in any new group of friends I came across and just couldn’t find the next step for me.

Gruesomely unmotivated, I had spent days in my hostel doing absolutely nothing.

But the thing is, there are so many colorful and unique people out there (just like the ones you had left) wandering around, being amazing in their own way. And finding them

But there’s a catch- these people can be hard to come across. With so many people in this world, meeting the ones that are right for you is tricky (and will probably be hard to achieve if you mope around in your hostel bed all day).

The way I see it though, much like finding your significant other, these friends-to-be will be much harder to come across if you’re actively looking.

Do things that excite you wherever you are. Explore the culture, learn about the history, eat the food and hang out with the locals. There are endless curiosities to fulfill you- and just when you least expect it, you will come across the chosen ones.

It just clicks, as though you were old travel buddies. You meet this someone or someones and without giving it as much of a thought, you all know that your paths are now intertwined.

So don’t beat yourself up. Take the time to actually be alone, but also know when it’s time to move on and take these first steps towards your next adventure.

2. Money.

No matter where you travel, there will always be a little dance around the fine line of financing.

During my travels I saw many approaches towards the money issue. The most common ones are:

Bankruptcy

The art of spending your money in every way possible, on every little whim you may possess, with little regard as to what else you can do with the money.

For those who can afford it and want to go down that road, be my guest. I would probably also take the same approach every now and then if I had the ability.

Just remember to be mindful of those who travel with you as they may not be able to afford the same luxuries.

And for those who can’t- sooner than later, they find themselves out of money, needing to find a source of income or even cut their journey short, and I could not think of anything more devastating than that.

Calculated

For you, everything has a price.

Worth is subjective- and deciding that something is worth its price is all up to you. I personally believe this is the best and most reasonable approach, as long as you don’t tip the scales towards one end or the other too often.

Be reasonable, don’t always indulge yourself, but also don’t be afraid to use your money- that’s it’s purpose after all.

Hobo

An approach many backpackers tend to take0 one that requires resilience, a sturdy mindset, and an even sturdier back.

Basically, going where the (cheapest) wind takes you.

Experiences are everywhere to be had and not all of them cost money!

Ever had the thrill of meeting someone and suddenly a whole new world has been opened for you?

Ever took a journey to the wilderness in a foreign country?

Ever spent a month volunteering at a workaway?

For some, this is what backpacking is all about. They don’t require much besides a traveler’s mentality and an open heart.

Overall, in whichever category you see yourself in, there is a lot to learn from each other.

The one who always goes to the best hotels will never know the joy of sleeping at a local’s house, the liveliness of hostel life, or simply sleeping under the stars.

The hobo will never taste that amazing dish from that one amazing restaurant.

The calculated will not develop the can-do mentality a hobo has.

So, enjoy your journey, try to be a bit of each, and experience the most you can out of your travels.

3. Seeing the end.

Every journey comes to an end. Every backpacker has their own limit- some will travel for a week, a month, a year, and some for the rest of their lives.

No matter how long it is for you, the end can be quite crushing.

Setting aside the struggles of returning to the reality of life at home, the time just before home can be just as challenging.

For me, my journey ended the day I said goodbye to a person I love.

We made the best of it and enjoyed our time to the fullest, but eventually it came to an end, and with it, my backpacking journey.

It can be abrupt due to unforeseen circumstances. It can stem from running low on funds, or because you just don’t feel the same joy anymore and you feel it’s time.

Either way, the end can be crushing.

Take the time to look back at all you have experienced and appreciate it all. Look back at the pictures you took and think about the person you were when you embarked on your journey. Are you still the same? It’s highly unlikely.

All in all, there are countless struggles along the road, some are very individual and many are not mentioned above. But every bruise has a medicine, and for most of them, it’s just time- so take it one day at a time.

And remember, a journey is but a decision away.