Someone on Instagram actually recommended this book to me. She said it was the best general guide to travel she’s ever read. So, I immediately had to pick up a copy.
This is essentially a beginners guide to backpacking and all that entails. They begin the book by saying “We believe that luxury travel is for people with arthritis; backpacking, with an open mind and an empty bank account, is the best way to learn about the world.”
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. There are so many aspects of this book that I really love. They are young people writing, they’ve done these things hands-on, and offer really great tips. There are so many tips that I really liked and I found a lot of good in this book, but one thing I really did not enjoy was the really large emphasis on sex and drugs while backpacking.
I guess when I travel my priorities are different, and maybe I’m in the minority in this… I don’t know. I think there’s so much more to traveling than partying and hooking up. For instance, I thought the chart of legality of prostitution/drugs and age of consent was a bit unnecessary (for me at least).
There were many inspiring quotes about just getting up and going, and many tips for packing, transportation, where to see certain things, lodging and more! So, pick up a copy if you’re starting out and interested in their way of backpacking because as they say, “Every minute of travel is a change and an opportunity to learn something new.”
For more posts and travel articles I find interesting ‘like’ the For the Love of Wanderlust page on Facebook. Simply click HERE.
15 Comments
Quinn H.
October 23, 2013 at 9:53 amYeah, I wouldn’t exactly marking the red light districts on my map, but I think it’s kinda neat that they explored a part of travel that you wouldn’t really find in some of the more reputable books.
PaigeBrown
October 30, 2013 at 7:38 pmThanks for reading and commenting. That’s a good point that they explored a different part. However, it wasn’t just red light districts there were tips on how to keep yourself “clean” in hostels and how to hook up with other backpackers, I don’t know- it just seemed to be missing the point.
liz
October 23, 2013 at 10:17 amWow. I’m curious now. I totally agree with you, all that other stuff is unnecessary. Glad you could look past the weirdness and soak up the inspiring parts!
PaigeBrown
October 30, 2013 at 7:40 pmYeah… HA! Like I said, it wasn’t all filled with that. There were a lot of great tips, but just the random “hookup” comments and charts were strange.
roxy1709
October 23, 2013 at 11:34 pmI’m curious too! I will have to check it out. I too don’t really think its necessay to promote the sex and drugs component of what a city has to offer, and I know each city has it, but there’s so much more to see and do when overseas. Plus it may promote the wrong kind of people to certain places, particularly places where there is already a problem with forced young girls in the prostitution industry.
PaigeBrown
October 30, 2013 at 7:42 pmI agree! I thought about sex-tourism while reading some of these, and they “age of consent” chart had some that countries where that age was early teens, and I just thought that was such a strange thing to encourage. Thanks for the input!
Jas
October 27, 2013 at 6:14 amLike the others who’ve commented: i completely agree about unnecessary emphasis on partying/sex/drugs. I mean we can take drugs and have sex at home, if that’s all we wanted! if you’re going to travel to the other side of the world, do something there that isn’t offered in your hometown.
PaigeBrown
October 30, 2013 at 8:19 pmI completely agree about doing something that you can’t do at home! That’s not what travel is all about, there’s so much more out there than partying. By all means, have a drink and talk to locals or other travelers… But how to hook up with others in a hostel bed or score some weed? Not important in my opinion! Thanks for commenting and reading!
theFPbrand
November 28, 2013 at 2:00 pmPaige thanks so much for the write-up! I’m glad you enjoyed the book, for the most part 🙂 In defense of the sex, partying, etc., our passion from the beginning has been to inspire a younger audience who do not have a travel brand to identify with. The point isn’t to promote the subjects but to talk about them openly and honestly to readers who want to know. It isn’t for everyone but if it helps inspire more young people to see beyond their borders, a little sex and partying is fair bait to help get ’em there.
PaigeBrown
December 6, 2013 at 4:32 pmI did enjoy most of the book. I realize you’re appealing to a younger audience and I loved that you used language that was matter-of-fact and it made me laugh… a lot. It’s really clever and most of it I loved. I’m only 23, but I still disagreed with parts of it. I understand that sex and drugs may be a key aspect to some, but I think that there are so many better reasons to see ‘beyond their borders’. I liked that you promoted safe sex, and you’re right that being honest and open is key, but I think with the rising problems with sex tourism that the ‘Global Street Smart Chart’ with the age of consent (especially with some ages being 16, 15 and even 14) is something that shouldn’t be used as an incentive to get someone to visit a country.
That being said, I still learned a lot from this book, would recommend it to someone backpacking and had fun reading it. I hope to read more from you guys, and thanks for taking the time to read what I thought and comment on it. Cheers!
Gamers
December 8, 2013 at 7:41 amYou could certainly see your enthusiasm within the
article you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as
you who are not afraid to mention how they
believe. At all times go after your heart.
PaigeBrown
December 16, 2013 at 5:10 pmThank you! I appreciate the comment and compliments!
Andrew Pelt
June 8, 2014 at 11:47 amI just want to say I am just beginner to weblog and honestly enjoyed this web site. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You really have superb posts. Thanks for sharing your blog.
First Stone Venture Partners
September 21, 2014 at 2:46 amI totally concur about doing something that you can’t do at home! That is not what travel is about, there’s such a great amount of more out there than celebrating. By all methods, have a beverage and converse with local people or different voyagers… But how to connect with others in an inn couch or score some weed? Not imperative as I would like to think! A debt of gratitude is in order regarding remarking and perusin
PaigeBrown
October 3, 2014 at 11:22 amThank you for the great comment! I appreciate you expressing your shared opinion. It just seemed like a bit much to me and not at all what traveling is about- at least, not in my book… Thanks for reading and taking the time to reply!