What's with white people and backpacking?

[grrl]

since you seem to have so many friends who do this, why dont you ask them?

Because then he couldn't troll. Someone who hasn't traveled declaring you can't learn anything from it. Priceless.

 

[zinfamous]

damn well said

...for an ignorant puss bag.

 

[JS80]

...for an ignorant puss bag.

Jealousy is poisonous. Sucks to be a poor shithead like you. Now go mow my lawn.

 

[zinfamous]

Jealousy is poisonous. Sucks to be a poor shithead like you. Now go mow my lawn.

:awe:

 

[PingSpike]

So it is about finding your roots, and a culture other than apple pie and baseball then?

It is as good a theory as any.

 

[slackerinabox]

Guess what: whatever their reasons for going, they will come out understanding a shit-load more about such cultures than you will ever hope to if you sit in your comfortable backwater town and criticize them for actually doing something.

I tend to ridicule the typical post-college kids who do it just ot party, b/c it is pointless in my mind, but at least they're actually going, and some of them will certainly get more out of it than they expected.

Your type that sits around, never wants to do anything outside of your comfort zone, is pretty much why we have ignorant polarizing ultra-nationalists causing most of the problems in this world. (Not YOU of course; it's just a general attitude that you're displaying, if but mildly )

Well, I can understand how my OP would suggest what you feel, and apologize for being glib. I honestly came here with a question - that's what's so valuable about ATOT, silly minority kids can ask insensitive questions and learn from them, without insulting people you know in the real world. I've been to Europe and I loved it. I love experiencing new things, but I'm stricken with the "how" and "why." I was born in NYC and will probably die here (though, god, I love the U.K.), and I'm ok with that - I just have a lot of problems justifying dropping so much money and time into what, at the end of the day, is an attempt to make ones life more interesting. To me, interesting lives are those lived doing, not seeing. If I have an extra $10,000 around I would pay down my debt or work on bettering myself first, before spending it on living a life of adventure.

Though you're right - my parents are in their late 60s, have a ton of money saved up (from hard work, mind you) and don't travel. THEY SHOULD. They've earned it. When I'm retired I hope to do the same. 20 year olds? I personally think that you can get more life experience volunteering at a shelter... I actively do that while no one I personally know does so - this does not make me a better person, but saying that taking a year off from your adult life to "see the world" makes one more enlightened seems... I don't know the right word. Not foolish.. Just odd.

Of course, people who join the military to serve their country and experience the world - RIGHT ON. Kudos, props, and whatever else I can throw your way

 

[syrillus]

There's a difference between backpacking through Europe (or wherever you'd like to go) and being a pretentious prick about it.

Also, if life is "ticking away," what do you find is a less "wasteful" way to spend your time? I'd think most would enjoy vacationing for 6 months if they could afford to.

 

[PingSpike]

de white devil did not get where they are today by staying put.

So, what you're saying is white kids from affluent families backpacking are part of the first wave to invade the European continent and subjugate it's populace?

 

[PingSpike]

I would have done it if I had the money. Not for the purpose of finding myself or soul searching but just because it would be fun.

I would not want to do it if I was in a committed relationship though. But to go through Europe with 2-3 of your best friends would be awesome. Just partying, visiting exciting places, and not knowing where you are going to end up. Trips like that would probably make memories that last a lifetime.

I'm going to go ahead and read between the lines here and say that for you the purpose would be to have sex with women from other countries.

 

[mchammer187]

I'm going to go ahead and read between the lines here and say that for you the purpose would be to have sex with women from other countries.

it would be one of many purposes

 

[OOBradm]

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/08/14/128-camping/

 

[zinfamous]

Well, I can understand how my OP would suggest what you feel, and apologize for being glib. I honestly came here with a question - that's what's so valuable about ATOT, silly minority kids can ask insensitive questions and learn from them, without insulting people you know in the real world. I've been to Europe and I loved it. I love experiencing new things, but I'm stricken with the "how" and "why." I was born in NYC and will probably die here (though, god, I love the U.K.), and I'm ok with that - I just have a lot of problems justifying dropping so much money and time into what, at the end of the day, is an attempt to make ones life more interesting. To me, interesting lives are those lived doing, not seeing. If I have an extra $10,000 around I would pay down my debt or work on bettering myself first, before spending it on living a life of adventure.

Though you're right - my parents are in their late 60s, have a ton of money saved up (from hard work, mind you) and don't travel. THEY SHOULD. They've earned it. When I'm retired I hope to do the same. 20 year olds? I personally think that you can get more life experience volunteering at a shelter... I actively do that while no one I personally know does so - this does not make me a better person, but saying that taking a year off from your adult life to "see the world" makes one more enlightened seems... I don't know the right word. Not foolish.. Just odd.

Of course, people who join the military to serve their country and experience the world - RIGHT ON. Kudos, props, and whatever else I can throw your way

well NYC is certainly different than the middle of Kansas. culture comes to you or at least, you can't really escape it.

as far as taking time off as an adult, I suppose it depends on where you are at which particular time in your life that makes the most sense to you. I suppose I would like for things to work out they way I intended, but in my experience with family, friends, myself...it has become somewhat pointless to predict what I will want out of life 10 years from now. While I'm no longer in my twenties, and wouldn't mind settling down, ...I can't logically discount the possibility that life will present a path, or an option at least, where it would make sense for me to uproot and take off.

much of the time, we individually have the power to choose how we want to make our lives. other times, however, factors beyond our control force us into detours that we never expected, and often have little choice but to accept.

 

[soulcougher73]

Well, I can understand how my OP would suggest what you feel, and apologize for being glib. I honestly came here with a question - that's what's so valuable about ATOT, silly minority kids can ask insensitive questions and learn from them, without insulting people you know in the real world. I've been to Europe and I loved it. I love experiencing new things, but I'm stricken with the "how" and "why." I was born in NYC and will probably die here (though, god, I love the U.K.), and I'm ok with that - I just have a lot of problems justifying dropping so much money and time into what, at the end of the day, is an attempt to make ones life more interesting. To me, interesting lives are those lived doing, not seeing. If I have an extra $10,000 around I would pay down my debt or work on bettering myself first, before spending it on living a life of adventure.

Though you're right - my parents are in their late 60s, have a ton of money saved up (from hard work, mind you) and don't travel. THEY SHOULD. They've earned it. When I'm retired I hope to do the same. 20 year olds? I personally think that you can get more life experience volunteering at a shelter... I actively do that while no one I personally know does so - this does not make me a better person, but saying that taking a year off from your adult life to "see the world" makes one more enlightened seems... I don't know the right word. Not foolish.. Just odd.

Of course, people who join the military to serve their country and experience the world - RIGHT ON. Kudos, props, and whatever else I can throw your way

You sounds materialistic and immature. You will someday learn that life is not about a "carreer". It is about experiences, adventure, learning, loving, family, and friends. You work to live, not live to work.

 

[NesuD]

The whole idea of it sounds like a great adventure. The reality of it however not so much. I love hiking and backpacking but I have to tell you I have no desire to go to Europe and do it. It would take a lifetime to see all the things from hiking boots there is to see right here in north america. Why would I waste any of my time in miserable conditions on a vagabond trip around Europe. Give me the Colorado Rockies, The North Rim, Yosemite, the Canadien Rockies, glaciers, The inside passage, Denali, and Yellowstone from hiking boots and thats just for starters. The whole idea of those filthy hostels makes me queasy. On top of that it can be downright dangerous for foreigners. No thanks. When I strap on hiking boots and a backpack I want to get away from civilization not walk around looking at it with aching feet.

 

[moshquerade]

Firstly, I'm being a bit tongue in cheek with this post. I'm not white but I love a white person, and the usual words of a bigot apply "I have a lot of white friends," but I ask this question not as a bigot but because I'm genuinely curious.

My best friend (and best man at my wedding) is currently back packing through Europe, with no timeline and no real plan. Him and his gf (also a close friend) had good jobs and quit them and are blowing through a lot of cash now, living in shitty hostels and roaming around without knowing any language other than English. This is not an isolated case- it seems like backpacking through Europe is sort of a coming of age ritual for a lot of people I know. Why?

I love going on vacations, sure. But spending weeks or months hopping from shady situation to another doesn't interest me. Hell, their pretentious travel-blog is full of how miserablely rain soaked their experience has been, and how they're running out of money and frustrated (well, duh).

So what's the deep down reason behind this rite of passage? My theory is that the children of immigrants, like myself, have ethnic traditions and culture up the wazoo, and young white americans often lack that, just growing up "White 'Merican"- is the whole Europe thing about finding your roots?

Could you STOP making race an issue. I looked at the thread title, then the thread starter, and thought, "yup, uh-huh, it's freedomsbeat again..."

Really, listen to Morgan Freeman, the man should be your mentor.

 

[slackerinabox]

well NYC is certainly different than the middle of Kansas. culture comes to you or at least, you can't really escape it.

as far as taking time off as an adult, I suppose it depends on where you are at which particular time in your life that makes the most sense to you. I suppose I would like for things to work out they way I intended, but in my experience with family, friends, myself...it has become somewhat pointless to predict what I will want out of life 10 years from now. While I'm no longer in my twenties, and wouldn't mind settling down, ...I can't logically discount the possibility that life will present a path, or an option at least, where it would make sense for me to uproot and take off.

much of the time, we individually have the power to choose how we want to make our lives. other times, however, factors beyond our control force us into detours that we never expected, and often have little choice but to accept.

That's another thing I never thought of - see this is valuable! I do live in a major city, and take the massive amounts of culture around me for granted. I mean, I enjoy it, but I forget that people say in Kansas don't have the same opportunities. I agree then, if I were born in a small town, I would certainly like to escape for a while. I can empathize with that. I can also empathize with the "this may be my only chance for adventure" train of thought, though I personally crave stability first and adventure later (call me a square, but I sincerely mean that I'm going to enjoy my money when I have it, not before I make something of myself). See, my priority is to make myself first, then discover the world later. Sure, that time may never come but I'm ok with that. I understand people who want to do things the other way around.

You're also right that no one can predict life or the changes in the road that may come. Heck, I may be that guy in "Up" who planned for adventure all of his life without ever getting a chance to experience it... That bothers me a lot, but I'm so goal driven that I feel that taking that trip and forgetting my responsibilities for even 6 months is selfish... I drank and drugged my way through my early 20s and hate myself for the time wasted, so I'm going to say that my personal situation and upbringing has more to do with my mentality than race.. In fact, I'll apologize for my racist flame bait title now..

 

[slackerinabox]

Could you STOP making race an issue. I looked at the thread title, then the thread starter, and thought, "yup, uh-huh, it's freedomsbeat again..."

Really, listen to Morgan Freeman, the man should be your mentor.

Well, here's the thing - to working class minorities, race is always the issue (at least from what I've experienced). It comes from being othered while growing up - working class Caucasian kids in elementary school beating me up for being different, and all the jazz.. It's stupid and I need to grow past it, you're right...

And, as this thread has helped me see, it has a lot more to do with class than race.

 

[moshquerade]

I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man.
-Morgan Freeman

 

[erikistiredx]

life is about the journey.

 

[Zebo]

I'm as white as you get think Brock Lesnar and hate traveling. Hated it as a kid when my parents drugs us around Europe, Asia, and even Tanzania and Senegal. Hated it as an adult and hate it now. I do like fishing though but 7 lakes are less than an hour. In sum I don't understand it.

 

[slackerinabox]

I'm as white as you get think Brock Lesnar and hate traveling. Hated it as a kid when my parents drugs us around Europe, Asia, and even Tanzania and Senegal. Hated it as an adult and hate it now. I do like fishing though but 7 lakes are less than an hour. In sum I don't understand it.

I need to go fishing more often. I haven't since I was a kid but enjoyed it then... Looks like I'm going to add that to my list of "reasonable and affordable adventures to be had during the summer"... As a city boy I need more nature in my life!

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Black folks do it too:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/24b56caf3e/black-hiker-with-blair-underwood

 

[slackerinabox]

You sounds materialistic and immature. You will someday learn that life is not about a "carreer". It is about experiences, adventure, learning, loving, family, and friends. You work to live, not live to work.

Immature? Undoubtedly. I'll admit that any day! The other shit? I feel that my duty as an adult is to make a solid life for my family, and getting up and going off for adventure (while fun) would detract from that goal... If I was single I'd think differently, and have gotten myself into enough spontaneous adventures for one lifetime...

 

[AreaCode707]

FB, I get the goal oriented thing. I wish I could be a little less like that because some of the experiences my friends have made priorities in their life really do sound amazing! Unfortunately (fortunately? ambivalently?) I'm a person who needs structure and tangible progress to feel ok about life. Quitting my job to take off to Italy for a year would be incredible, but then I start running numbers in my head, thinking about the economy when I get back, could I get a job, who would take care of the pets, what if something happened to my parents, etc. and suddenly the effort, anxiety and uncertainty for me outweighs the pleasure in going.

People are just built different like that. And it's a good thing. My adventurous friends prompt me to do things I wouldn't otherwise do, and I'm here to help them find work or provide a crash couch when they get back broke from their adventures.

So for those of you criticizing him for being materialistic because his method of interacting with life is different than yours, cut a little slack. We all view the world differently, and it really does take all types.

 

[djmartins]

It's all about self sufficiency, you people wouldn't understand.