So, after reading about RTW trips and backpacking I got excited and decided to do this myself. I just turned 60. I am eligible to retire. I ride a bicycle about every day, walk miles and love it. So in short, feel very healthy and active. I find the idea of backpacking and staying in the hostels very exciting. I have the money to travel higher class and stay in Hotels, etc, but that does not appeal to me. I am single and want to meet as many backpackers and locals as possible but till be on my own, not in a tour group. I want to travel like the locals and eat the foods they eat. Experience the culture in other words. Have any of you backpacked this style that are close to my age or have you younger backpackers seen others around my age while you were backpacking RTW? I would love to do this but don't want to be out of my element. Thanks for any helpful input.
I'm 67. I've been on tours, criuses, even a camera safari in Kenya.
Backpacking is the only way I'll go anymore. Youth hostels are ageless now.
Europeans bp into their 70's.
Youth Hostels International hostels get an older crowd. But you may not need a membership, sometimes.
Otherwise, I stay in mom and pop hostAls. Or pensións. If I have tv in my room (usually don't with 25 Euro rooms) I watch in the lounge anyway. You meet the most intreresting people.
Europe is truly a kinder gentler place than da U.S.
Pride's a two edged sword. I told a woman in Texas, that there was less crime in Europe. She got insulted. Now really!
Its more creative. Meaning at your own pace. I never book ahead, until the morning I'm sure I want top leave point A.
I may hear about a place that interests me more. Or somebody I want to have another conversation with.
Or you can follow the next part of history that fascinates you.
One objection to us yanks is; "They're afraid of everything, but won't listen to the explanation. and "They only talk to the people they travel with."
Fix that!
Sometimes whole families bp together.
Use a www.ricksteves.com money belt. Special design.
Mine saved ALL 3 times in three years. But that's only three years out of mucho road time. And other rip-offs.
Street sense and Serindipity Rule !!!
Solo is the best way to travel. Why miss something on your must see list, to keep some whiner or Bible basher happy?
Locals are more willing to talk to solo travellers.
GOD WILL ALLOW WHAT GOD BLOODY WELL WANTS TO ALLOW.
It ain't up to yank women.
Hey i just finished riding my bike from Singapore east coast Malayasia to the Thai border first big trip on a bike meet mant great people doing this try a small trip on your bike see if you could handle riding 50-100 k's a day i am 58 M so this was a great experience as i have done the backpacker thing i found this way more interesting if you want any more info just PM me.
A guy I shared a dorm for 4, in Bilbao, is 70.
He and 4 others rode bikes from Germany. Another drove the car with camping gear.
He jogged 7 floors, and met me at the same time, as I got off the elevator.
I hope RTW tics don't obligate you to certain dates.
Train waiting is not a waist of time. Absorb.
Chat with anybody who will.
Traveller's first Law; If they ask too many personal questions,
get away from 'em.
This Austinite now lives in Seville.
Please go to Taco Xpress for me. And pig out on Blue Bell Ice Cream, for those of us who can't.
Rule 1; Never talk about the U.S., till asked. Or you'll be considered a bragadocious fool who doesn't know what he's talking about.
Thou shalt be shunned. You'll see it happen.
Rule 2; Rick Steves money belt. Special design.
www.ricksteves.com
check it out
Rule three; chill and have long conversations with other cultures.
Don't just do something. Sit there.
You have friends out there, you haven't met yet.
4; Have the courtesy, respect, and patience to hear 'em out. The nut of the conversation, is in the "oh by the way" at the end. That's a talent we yanks have lost.
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Do you have a pack yet? I had the Eagle Creek 22 Switchback. I loved it !
They have upgraded it now.
Its called 22 and 3 initials behind that. Zip-off day pack. Roll-a-long back pack.
www.eaglecreek.com
Hi Texan. You definitely should go for it. Maybe invest in a thorough check up by your medical doctor and then head out.
As a Canadian we meet lots of US people passing through on their way to Alaska and for the most part they're friendly and keen to talk to people. Just treat people with genuiune interest and try to learn about their culture and they'll love you. A few years ago my wife and I met a woman from Australia travelling on her own and she was in her 50's and on her second round the world trip. More recently, we met an retired Australian couple travelling through BC. He has started posting his adventure here in "older travellers" as well.
We have booked our flights for Jan 7th flying out of Vanvouver to Bangkok and we'll head off for three months of backpacking and we don't care if any young people are grossed out by us old fogies. If they are put off by us it is their problem.
Have a good trip and let us know how you make out.
George and Ruby
If you have an open mind, are willing to try out things maybe a bit outside of your normal comfort zone, are friendly and open to new experiences you will have a great time. I will be 70 this year, and have been travelling with a backpack since i was 21! however, this year i think i will take a small 'wheelie' instead... but its the same size as my backpack! Europe is great, but terribly expensive right now for n. americans... for a first trip, i would suggest Australia or New Zealand... no language problems, lots and lots of backpackers hostels, easy to get around. Also it's a good jumping off place for South East Asia... next jump might be Malaysia... also mainly English speaking... and by this time you would be a seasoned backpacker!!!
travelling alone, you are more likely to meet interesting people..However, I often pair up with other single travellers that i meet in the hostel or guesthouse, for a couple of days, a week or whatever, if we are going in the same direction. We can share a room, and save a few bucks, and sometimes that means we can 'upgrade' to a better place!!
They are usually much younger than me, male or female...but it makes no difference, we are all fellow travellers...
Canayjun said exactly what I was going to say about travelling with an open mind. The oldest person I've met was an 80 year old woman who was staying in hostels (pulling a wheelie bag rather than carrying a pack) and hitching across the US. The beauty of backpacking (apart from the cost) is that you can choose who you travel with and for how long. The non party hostels would attract an older crowd. Certainly in Australia I've met people your age, particularly in YHA hostels, many of which now have private rooms as well so you can have your privacy and still meet people in the common areas.
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