It’s been a full day of getting from Amsterdam to Krakov. It’s close to midnight and I just checked into my hostel. I shimmy up three flights of narrow stairs, my pack brushing up against the wall as I turn corners. I make my way down a dimly lit hallway till I see Door #16. I slowly turn the door knob and quietly push my way inside.
I’m drinking rum and cokes with my girlfriend Hillary, and our new Couchsurfing friends, G and Kit.
We’ve been staying with them in Goa for a few weeks now. During that time they’ve introduced us to some of their friends, and in the evenings we sit around smoking grass, listening to music, and swapping stories.
The patio is filled with sarcasm, laughter, and playful banter.
Where am I? I ask myself as I walk. “I’m in India.” I almost answer aloud, as if that was even an answer, as if that had been what I meant.
Monkeys dance from one tree top to another. Wild peacocks shuffle through tall grasses, barely noticed from the road. Chickens peck at the ground, narrowly dodging the heavy hooves of the cows that move with a slow assurance, as slowly and surely as the sun moves across the sky. It’s hot and I wipe the beads of sweat pooling on my forehead with the back of my hand, the part of me that’s the least dirty.
If this movie doesn’t make you want to look at your 9-5 routine and run in the opposite direction, I don’t know what will!
So maybe it’s not the most exciting gift to some, but everyone who goes on an adventure needs something to carry their stuff in. Whether it’s a day trip, a long weekend of shenanigans or months away from home, Tortuga offers some of the best backpackers backpacks on the market! Combining the perfect balance of ample space, durability and comfort, Tortuga really does have it all.
So many of us have a natural urge to “disconnect” and leave technology at home while we’re backpacking, hiking, camping, or just out in nature for the day.
The next thing I knew Bernie yelled, “Run!” and I ran. I ran and I ran until I wasn’t running anymore …
When I was a little girl I wanted to be an archaeologist and dig up mummies in Egypt, I wanted to stand in front of the Taj Mahal wearing a beautiful Hijab, and I wanted to go hang-gliding in the Swiss Alps. I hadn’t heard of the term “backpacking” and certainly had never traveled farther than a state or two, but I had a globe in my room and knew I wanted to be on the other side of it one day.
It never fails that I’m asked the question, “How do you manage to travel so much?”
Whether it’s a seven day cruise, a two week trip out of state, or several months backpacking abroad, people want to know how to save money for travel. There’s no secret here, it’s a lifestyle and a mindset.
Sure it’s fun to say, but what’s it stand for?
