considering backing..needs advice

Hey..
i am a soon to be high school graduate (yay) and have always dreamed of back packing through Europe. I always wanted to go after graduation but it never seemed possibly however now with no summer job at the moment iam considering spending a little bit of time in Europe. I am a very independant person and i love meeting new people but i am not sure how i feel about going alone. At the same time i don't have anyone really to go with considering this isn't an average trip to the beach. I am thinking of putting together some information for my parents and askin my family for the trip for my graduation present. I do have some places i would love to see and i guess i could plan the trip myself but i would prefer to go with other back packers. I was curious as to if people put together back packings trip. If so where do i find information on this..if not how would i go about doing all of this alone. I have done some research but this seems a little overwhelming for a 18 year old. I would appreciated all of the advice anyone can give.

[travelpunk]

Hey X,

There are other posts on this board that discusses the adventures of the solo traveler. I would highly encouge you to read those for a little inspiration.

If you love meeting people, no doubt you´ll have a blast and will not have a problem going solo. hostels are filled with backpackers like yourself. I met a girl at a hostel that was traveling solo for her third straight year in a row! She was short, skinny, friendly, and mentally tough . She explained that when she was going from city to city, she would meet other backpackers on the bus or train, and would hang with them to either find hostels to room together or meet up throughout the day to site see or go clubbin.

If you don´t find anyone to go with you, don´t sweat it! Do it on your own and enjoy Europe on your own terms.
Here´s my little story on traveling alone B)

[llemus7]

Originally posted by Exotica@Jun 10 2003, 04:03 AM
Hey..
i am a soon to be high school graduate (yay) and have always dreamed of back packing through Europe. I always wanted to go after graduation but it never seemed possibly however now with no summer job at the moment iam considering spending a little bit of time in Europe. I am a very independant person and i love meeting new people but i am not sure how i feel about going alone. At the same time i don't have anyone really to go with considering this isn't an average trip to the beach. I am thinking of putting together some information for my parents and askin my family for the trip for my graduation present. I do have some places i would love to see and i guess i could plan the trip myself but i would prefer to go with other back packers. I was curious as to if people put together back packings trip. If so where do i find information on this..if not how would i go about doing all of this alone. I have done some research but this seems a little overwhelming for a 18 year old. I would appreciated all of the advice anyone can give.

Hello Exotica,

One thing I can say to you just do it! I will be back packing myself this july. This will be my third back packing trip. If you like I can give you some tips on what to see, and what to do.

Thanks to the both of you for your replies. Newbie i would love all of the advice that you can give.

[Canadian Dude]

Making the trek overseas is always a big deal, this adventure will change the way you look at life, other cultures and deal with people in general. You will become strong at heart and realize that the world does not revolve around the place where you come from. You will get to see a point of view that you can only get by travel. You'll have no option but to become an indepentant person who must rely on instinct and the good will of others. You will get an appreciation for language, and you will most likley pick some up while your at it.

When you travel overseas you will gain life experience that you will talk about to your kids and thier kids after that. You will encourage others to take the big step of traveling and you will be able to give them advise when they ask.

In short, this is a big world we live in, get out there and see it!!! :D

[travelpunk]

Hola llemus! Welcome to the boards and thanks for your help!

Well said CD !
It´s scary at first since everything will be new to you and you´re taking that big leap into the world of the unknown, but after that first coule of days, your worries should disappear as you´ll be "in the moment" living life, so you kinda don´t have time to think...you´ll just do. Make sense?
I guess I can best relate it to acting. I get nervous about my choices, my specificity, my relationships (if they´re clear or not), my actions, my lines, my blocking, and when that moment comes where you have to go up and just do it, you don´t have time to think...you react, you just feel, and you give back(to your scene partner(s). You´re in the moment and you´re goal is to be truthful in that moment and all moments. Just like backpacking when you´re discovering all thing new. Be in the moment B)

Okay, theres two years of method acting training summed up in a sentence