Me! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

phizz · 03-09-2004, 03:05 PM

Hello. Been following the boards for a couple weeks now. I'm off to western Europe this May (21st 7:05pm to be exact). I'm a little anxious if you can't tell.

My first trip. Should be interesting to say the least.

Anyway, here's my pic for those who find it necessary to view me.

My Pic

Wait, while I'm at it, I've got a question. I've been researching backpacks for like 3 weeks now and it's irritating the shit outta me. Everyone has a completely different idea of what the appropriate size is. I've gone through the TP faq/guide as well as a million others out there. I will be bringing next to nothing (2 pants, 3 shirts, 4 boxers, 4 socks, toiletries, iPod mini). I would like some extra room in the pack for souvenirs. Do you think a 3500 is a good size pack? Or do you think I could get away with bringing something a little smaller?

Thanks in advance.

**joanofarc** · 03-09-2004, 03:10 PM

hey - welcome... you're like a cute chipmunk in your pic!

as for the pack, besides the guidelines on the main page:
try this
or this
or this one of em' has to help

**space virgin** · 03-09-2004, 03:25 PM

hahahahahaha I LOVE that pic! WELCOME to the boards!!

phlipfudge23 · 03-09-2004, 03:29 PM

Really, that has to be one of the top pics of pics.

**Canadian Dude** · 03-09-2004, 08:14 PM

to the boards Phizz, classic pic bro!! I have added you name to it and sent it in to be placed on the famous TPunk Family Tree

As for your question, I have owned 2 packs in all my travels, a 40L and an 80L the 40 was too small and it was top load, but it did get me through a couple treks, my 80L is wicked huge and hold everything I need. My advise to you is to find a side load 60L back and you will have enough space for your needs...IMO

phizz · 03-09-2004, 08:53 PM

joanofarc: Chipmunk huh? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I guess I'll take it as a compliment. :P

Thanks for the info/links guys/girls. I'm gonna go down to my local REI tomorrow and get a 3500 (57L). I'll bring it home and give it a whirl. If it doesn't work for me, I can always return it for something else.

So anyone else gonna be in Europe end of May/begining of June?

**Diorama** · 03-10-2004, 12:14 AM

Tpunk Registry

That's where everyone will be this summer.

anyways nice to "see" you. Your picture has two of my favourite things in it...Beer and the Middle finger..

**Ozpacka** · 03-10-2004, 01:11 AM

I hope thats not light beer phizz

**Mocassin** · 03-10-2004, 07:40 AM

Hehehe nice pic Phizz!!! Good luck on the backpack!!!

phizz · 03-10-2004, 08:17 AM

ozpacka,

Dewd, it's the Silver Bullet baby!!! Oh wait... you're in OZ. I assume they sell Coors in OZ? If so, does anyone actually drink it? Wait, while on the topic... are American beers seen as imports in other countries? I mean, do you pay an extra dollar or two for lets say a Bud Light then you do for a local beer?

Sorry, but I'm a total newb when it comes to traveling. I've never been outside the US. Well, I've been to Mexico many times. But that doesn't count. Mexico trips are just big drunken blurs. :P

**Mocassin** · 03-10-2004, 08:30 AM

Actually they are the cheapest beers...Coors light, Bud....Yewwwwww!!! Our beers are much better!!!

iamlindoro · 03-10-2004, 08:32 AM

Hey phizz,

Welcome to the boards, dude! I'm headed out on the 21st of this month. Judging from the pic, you'll fit right in here.

**Rozza** · 03-10-2004, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by phizz@Mar 10 2004, 04:17 PM
I mean, do you pay an extra dollar or two for lets say a Bud Light then you do for a local beer?

we dont pay for it at all, its crap (only kiddin ya)

, naaa we like guinness and old abbot

**space virgin** · 03-10-2004, 10:26 AM

you know what's really weird... many europeans LOVE our American Piss Water. I've catered a bunch of events that were strictly european business people, and the beer list would be a mile long with great microbrews (seattle has a TON of them) and then coors/bud/miller. They always drink all of the nasty shit beer but don't really touch the microbrews. And we're talking a hosted bar, so it's not a price difference thing!

I don't get it.

phizz · 03-10-2004, 11:19 AM

I was just using Bud Light as an example. Whether or not it's crap, well to each his own. I don't drink much anymore, but when I do it's usually Coors Light or one of several Mexican beers (Tecate, Sol, Modelo Especial). But anyway, so are American beers more expensive in other countries? I mean, here (Scottsdale, AZ) bottled imports (Guinness, Heineken, etc) are almost double the price of Coors/Bud/Miller.

Moccasin: So Bud/Coors/Miller products are cheaper then your standard Canadian beers? Or were you referencing their quality?

**voyd** · 03-10-2004, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by space virgin@Mar 10 2004, 06:26 PM
coors/bud/miller.* They always drink all of the nasty shit beer but don't really touch the microbrews.

Wow, are you serious?

EU beer is SOOOO much better! BTW, Budweiser is actually a Czech beer - but was reformulated to taste like shyt here. The original formula is still available - but only back in CZ...and supposedly tastes MUCH better!

chickie · 03-10-2004, 11:34 AM

phizz... phizz (staring at your pic)

I think I love you.

phizz · 03-10-2004, 02:37 PM

chickie: Pleased to meet you. :P

voyd: Nice dewd. I'm glad to know I'm not the only beer nerd out there. :P
The original is called something like Budvar Budweiser. IIRC, Budvar is the name of the brewery. And Budweiser actually comes from the name of the town where it originated (Budweis). I believe that brewery actually owns the rights to the name 'Budweiser' in Europe. Anyway, there is an awesome show on The History Channel called Empires of Industry. They did one on American breweries awhile back. Check it out if you get a chance. Has all the old school brewers in it; Schlitz, Pabst, Yeungling <sp>. They did one on Coke/Pepsi too. That one was pretty cool. Ok, now I'm babbling. I'm gonna go download pr0n or something. :P

**LiveFreeorDie** · 03-10-2004, 05:01 PM

Kind of a funny story about the whole Czech versus American Budweiser thing.....

I was in Germany for work prob two years ago and was talking to one of the guys who works in our German office. We were talking about Beer (what else is there to talk about?). Anyway...he told this story of how, the first time he went to the U.S., he was on business. So, the first night he went out to a bar by himself. He sat down, was looking at the beer taps and saw Budweiser. He said he was really surprised because he had had Budweiser in the Czech republic and it was a small brewery and he didn't expect to see it in the U.S. Nonetheless, he was really happy to see it. He orders a glass, takes a big swig....and nearly chokes! He said he couldn't beleive it...it tasted like piss....nothing like what he expected. It was then he realized it was completely different. Anyway...it was a funny story to hear. I think the site needs a beer thread for best beers of the world..recommendations etc. I am heading to Oz in May and need some good beer recommendations..I like flavorful stuff...not that Fosters crap (no offense meant, just being honest) the Ozzies send out to the rest of the world, so if anyone has some recommendations...post 'em. Thanks!

TapSiLog · 03-10-2004, 06:21 PM

hey livefreeordie,
i'm no beer expert but when i was in OZ, the best beer i had was -----> tooheys extra dry!!!

it was recommended by my aussie pal..