internatinal backpacking

Thread started by
aksendz at 10.1.08 - 11:31 pm
has anyone done this before?
I am finishing school up this October and if I get into college I should start in fall 09. Most likely I'll go to SMC.
In the meantime I want to go somewhere. Get out of Los Angeles. Figure out life.
Anyone know where I can start getting some info on the basics?
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Anything specific? You plan on going on foot, biking, or flying around? And where did you think about going?
Lizzard10.2.08 - 1:13 am
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foot and hostel mostly
hitchhiking and buses for local transportation
i was thinking either southeast asia/asia or europe
aksendz10.2.08 - 1:46 am
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my original though was to also hitchhike through the United States but people are so fucking paranoid here.
aksendz10.2.08 - 5:09 am
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go to lonelyplanet.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
you will find the best first hand accounts of where you want to go and what some the of the cheapest ways to travel there are. it's best to check-out/buy a book on the are you are trying to go to as well. and take the book with you. it will be your best friend. :> it saved me in venezuela, lol.
nesoxochi10.2.08 - 8:56 am
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dude thx!
that was an excellent source!
aksendz10.2.08 - 10:10 am
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I just came back from a week and a half backpacking around europe before my friend's wedding at Greece and your best bet is to take a hostelcard. I had mine from http://www.hihostels.com
Also, if you're taking a train, use eurails.com and get the Global Pass. It's 20 countries at 2nd class for less than $800 us bucks. You can use it for ferries to connecting countries. The only thing that sucks is that the UK, Norway and Serbia do not accept it yet. but they'd better.
If you're biking around berlin, you could use your credit or debit card (but call your bank you're using it there) and with a pin number provided on the bike, you can call their number from this website www.callabike.de and it unlatches a security lock and away you ride. The rent a bikes have to read the DB on the seat and they're relatively everywhere in Germany.
A similar program like this to rent bikes exist in Stockholm, Sweden.
Chill.
Noble Experiment10.2.08 - 11:56 pm
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Hey,
When you were on Lonely Planet, did you go to the Thorn Tree Forum? That's where you can ask all the questions you want.
I backpacked around SE Asia for six months - I can highly recommend it. I did Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. I averaged $5/night for lodging - you don't need to hostel, and it's a good way to meet the locals, as it's usually a guesthouse you're staying at for that $5 (except in Laos, where I was in a nice hotel for $3.)
If you're interested in that area, ask away.
I also backpacked around W. Europe, but it's much MUCH more costly, if that's an issue. The only SA I've done is Peru, but it is incredibly beautiful (and Machu Picchu is a must see in everyone's lifetime.)
Sorry for rambling. I love traveling.
pretzels10.3.08 - 12:20 am
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Also, for good info on SE Asia, try travelfish.org and talesOfAsia.com
pretzels10.3.08 - 12:22 am
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Yeah, I need to do this too.
ESPECIALLY Sweden. Fuck yeah am I gonna take use of that bike program.
imachynna10.3.08 - 12:47 am
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No AIM. Well, yes, but I forgot my password, so...no.
pretzels10.3.08 - 7:43 pm
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facebook or any other for of 'instant messaging'
?
if not
aksendz @ gmail. com
aksendz10.3.08 - 7:49 pm
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