Have you backpacked?

[LostFarmboy]

For the purpose of this poll, i will define backpacking as:

wearing a backpack and travelling around a heap of different places....hmmm, not really a good definition, it's actually kinda hard to define backpacking.

Ok, here the things that i don't think are included in backpacking:
- Going to another country/place with your only intention being living and working in that place. If you do a bit of travelling while you're there, then that could be backpacking i guess.
- Travelling to a country and staying in 5 star accomodation
- Contiki and other coordinated and organised tours are a bit of a grey area, they are definately travelling, but i don't think they are backpacking.

...and i don't suppose you have to wear a backpack to be backpacking, although most people do. I travelled with a mate around Europe for a month and he lugged a bloody suitcase around with him. So, that puts the 'wearing a packpack' bit out.


Ok, perhaps this is a better definition:
Travelling around a heap of different places, usually on a restricted time and money budget (but not always), using, where possible, local transport and staying in cheap accomodation. Also, i believe in true backpacking there is some form of soul searching/self discovery going on....but that's just me


.....ok, i'll forget about defining backpacking, i'm just curious to see how many people on here have been backpacking.