Article for university

Dear all,

I'm writing a feature article for my Journalism course in uni, and I need some feedback from travellers.

I'd be very grateful if some of you could answer the following questions and either PM the answers to me or post them here (if you don't mind other people seeing the answers):

1) What annoys you most about backpacking?
2) What do you enjoy most about backpacking?
3) Which kind of traveller annoys you most?
4) Which nationality of traveller annoys you most?
5) Anything else you'd like to add (about backpacking)?

All answers will of course be confidential, and rest assured, the article will most likely never be published.

I'm cross-posting this to several branches.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies

What I find strange is the concept of backpacking -- I would never carry so much stuff with me on a trip. I can go three weeks or more with a floppy bag of carry-on luggage. And I don't mind buying what is missing, if necessary. Backpacking = permanent discomfort.

1) finding my clothes screwed up and creased, soon learnt don't take things that crease easily!
2) the freedom to go wherever I like and do whatever I want, always seeing new places and new people
3) the kind who just get drunk all the time and sleep all day....you are in new places, experience the new things, don't spend all day in bed with a hangover.
4) from last trip I would say German - came in loud in middle of night....though I have also met some really cool germans, so don't really find any nationality more annoying than another!
5) Its the best thing in the world, new people, new places, new experiences, no ties, a way of escaping, I miss it!

I cheat. I had an Eagle Creek Switchback 22. It held its shape at 22 inches to go carry-on. Great wheels are on the newer model.

You only put it on your back for long stairs and rocky places. And there are lots of long stairs. Some of big stones. And some subways are heaven bound. On foot.

I lost it in a funny way. Got back to Madrid in Garbage Bags.
From criuses, camera safari in Kenya for two weeks (25 years ago) to bag lady, Man.

Ahh for the perfect shopping cart.

I came back to Spain from Texas, with a broken used roll-a-long.
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I tell newbys, they don't have to make an expensive mistake on a backpack for $300.
Go to a garage sale.

Many of those have never been used. Their dream fizzled after their travel partner had to back out.
Just don't get one with only a flap at top end. You have to take everything out, to get to that damn...

You'll talk with other road freaks about their gear, on Your first trip.
Then you'll have an idea of what suits Your needs. We all learn from each other.
----------------------------
By the way; Have I mentioned my line of dreadlock wigs? They compliment our selection of 5 strand comb-overs, for those of us who can't be honest with themselves.

Don't just dream. Buy a plain ticket to some cheap starting point.

It may change the focus of your college education.
School of any kind is just the fundamentals.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Buy a plain ticket to some cheap starting point.<hr></blockquote> as opposed to a sophisticated one?

Yeah, steveg!

And I don't like the industry,experamenting with make-up on rabbits.

Makes 'em look cheap!

1) What annoys you most about backpacking?

Dragging the backpack/suitcase around. I soon got better at travelling light.

2) What do you enjoy most about backpacking?

Freedom, the potential for every day to be different and memorable, meeting new people.

3) Which kind of traveller annoys you most?

The competitive ones, who think they're braver/more authentic/better informed/ than everyone else.

4) Which nationality of traveller annoys you most?

I'm glad I've never developed an opinion on this.

5) Anything else you'd like to add (about backpacking)

It's fun but tiring. I now think it might be better to explore from one base than to "move house" every day or two.

I really find the questions quite simplistic for university level journalism, and suspiciously "trolly". Especially the one about annoying nationalities.

1) The lack of sleep in hostels
2) The freedom, and you meet new people
3) The kids, travelling in groups. Just thinking about themselves, and have no interest of knowing the locals.
4) Italians
5) Wish I had this interest 15 years ago when eastern europe opened

And this is supposed to pass for an attempt at serious journalism? This reads like a questionnaire put together by a 14-year old. Or are you hoping for a job with The Sun?

If you are trying out for The Sun, I suggest a couple of more questions to add onto your survey:

6) Which celebrity would look best with a backpack and why?
7) What was the most unusual medical procedure you had while traveling with your backpack?
8) Do Gemini travel lighter than Virgos?

I expect the check in the mail.

Medical procedure? That's a bit beyond the reading age of your average Sun reader, Eve.

You're right, Tony,it's been a while since my journalism class at "uni". It should have read:

7) Did you have any of your organs snatched by aliens when traveling with your backpack? Which was more annoying, the missing liver or that they didn't know about the Paris Hilton scandal?

Splitting my sides here.

The OP is now probably looking on TripAdvisor for Paris Hilton reviews.

My, we're being really nasty this weekend, aren't we? First that poor Disneyland person and now the 'backpacking article'.

@14 :))))

Kerouac - et tu, Brute...or, in other words, look who's talking :-)

1) People with a 100l rucksack on their back, a 40l daypack on their front barging into me
3) People with a 100l rucksack on their back, a 40l daypack on their front who constantly moan about the weight they carrying and complain about the people who are always bumping into them
5) Backpacking isn't about putting a pack on your back, buying a RTW from STA and then travelling to Goa / Thailand / Oz / US and getting pissed with other "backpackers" every night - you could do that by going to Ibiza for a year along with the other chavs. At least then you wouldn't have to miss Eastenders

Why would OP need to go to TripAdvisor for reviews on Paris Hilton, when TT is already full of it? WT and YC branches could hardly be beaten for that kind of crap, no need to laugh at other forums ...

I think Tony was concerned OP was going to go through Hilton hotel reviews in Paris, which is what Trip Advisor lists, not Paris Hilton.... were you concerned, Tony? :)

Saskja, yes, I was playing with the notion of somebody mistaking Paris Hilton for a hotel, somebody perhaps who would be dim enough to put together a questionnaire like the one in the original post. I'm constantly referring people to TripAdvisor - I think it's great - and would never laugh at it.

OP, thanks for the reassurance that your article will never be published. I think we knew that instinctively.

lol Too bad I missed the joke then :) Sorry for having taken it at the 1st degree. NavajoRug, you gave me a good laugh in #10 and 12.

Glad :) It's been a fun thread, if the OP is a troll I might leave him/her some milk and cookies on the doorstep tonight.

Ggo backpacking yourself, if you haven´t been yet. Its the onbly way I´ll ever travel again. I´m 66. Travelled all kindsa ways.

But I do miss shipping out the old fashioned way. Pre- containerized shipping.

Still, it was good to see you springing to the defence of TripAdvisor, saskja. :-))

I knew you would smile, Tony .... actually I've seen you smile :-) I never miss an opportunity to refer people from TripAdvisor to TT (which is great too, except YC and WT).

I've also become very fond of Trip Advisor, since I've started using their hotel recommendations and never ending up disappointed.