The perfect time to backpack: now
I was really glad to see Tim Leffel’s recent blog “5 Reasons It’s a Good Time to Be an American Backpacker.” For all of the woebegone news circulating about the economy and the reasons to stay home, I think it’s a good reminder that yes, it’s actually a good time to travel. (I think that’s true at any point in time—there will always be reasons for and against travel.)
Listed are (yep, you guessed it) five good reasons, including the increasing strength of the dollar and the fact that it’s a buyer’s market for many things in the travel industry. Plus I’d add my own: if you’ve been recently laid off, why not spend the time traveling? Send out a few job-application emails in between flights and sights, but don’t feel guilty about it—you’d be doing the same emailing if you were at home, but without the enriching cultural experience on the side.
Tim has been mentioned here before, and for good reason: he always posts excellent bargain travel advice on his website “Cheapest Destinations.” Another one of his recent blogs that I liked: “Feel Rich by Going Away.”
March 28th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
i know from a central american point of view. it’s a great time, for some crazy reason the dollar is super strong right now, and the inflation hasn’t gotten caught up to it yet. so come now!!!
The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist
March 30th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I spend a lot more money doing nothing in the United States than I spend doing cool things in other countries. Why would I not travel? It is definitely a great time to travel!
March 30th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
You’re right, there are always excuses against traveling: money/time constraints, etc. I think of all the money I wasted here at home when I could have spent it traveling–which is why I’m headed to europe in may, hoping to make it a cheaper experience than it was last year!
p.s. just finished reading your book, Marco Polo Didn’t Go There, it’s fantastic and definately inspired me! Keep up the great writing!
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Or you can get ahead of the pack and move into your car and THEN travel. But yes, excellent idea to move while looking for work. I’m writing a book on the road, but I pick up gigs from my old graphic design career by just talking to people.
Great blog, I will check out your book(s).
hoboxia.com