Got The Right Backpack ?
Man by instinct has always been a traveler. It is one those luxuries which do not require much planning. The latest activity which is gaining popularity among the Indian youth is backpacking. There is no better way to travel and get to know the inhabitants of a place than by backpacking. Many backpacking hostels have come up in many parts of India. Backpacking provides a cheap and an easy way to travel around. You not only meet the local inhabitants, but also fellow backpackers, who have their stories to tell about their experiences while backpacking. As the famous Ibn Battuta once said,” Traveling, it leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller”.
Although backpacking is one of the easiest things to do, there are a few things one has to keep in mind before heading out.
Put only essentials in your backpack: One of the most common mistakes which people tend to make is that they tend to carry a lot of unnecessary things in their backpack. Also one does not really need five pairs of shoes, just carry a walking shoe, and a pair of sandals will do.
- Clothes : People often tend to carry a lot of clothing with them, which again adds to the weight of the backpack. Carry clothes which are light. These days, a lot of polyester clothes are in the market. They are not only light, but also keep you warm. Remember! Pack your clothes according to the climate. Cotton t-shirts are good for warm climate, while the polyester clothes are good for the cold season.
- First Aid Kit: Another aspect which people tend to ignore is the first-aid kit. When you are travelling especially in the wilderness, you never know when you might fall ill or get injured, so always carry a first-aid kit in your backpack. Your first-aid kit should include: Anti-septic solution, cotton swabs, bandages, and tweezers (helpful in removing splinters).
- Tell someone where you are going: Another important thing to remember if you are backpacking alone is to always inform someone about the place where you are going, because just in-case there is an emergency you can get help. A number of people have lost their lives in the wilderness, because they went alone, and did not inform anyone about the location.
- Fiding a travel partner: One of the most interesting things that you can do is while solo-backpacking is to find a travel partner. If you are staying in a backpackers’ hostel, you can easily find a travel partner. If you want to go and see places which might not be safe if you go alone, your backpacking partner can always accompany you and vice-versa.
