What it takes to become a backpacker?

Sawcut Gorge, New Zealand

So you wanna go travelling and become a backpacker? It is a good life but in most cases it won’t just happen overnight and there so many things to keep in mind before making that decision. Are you willing to stay long periods of time away from home? Do you really wanna quit your job? Do you want to start all over in a place where nobody knows you? And I think the most important question: why do you wanna be a backpacker?

It might sound cheesy but I still remember the sparkle that started my desire to go abroad it goes way back, when I was learning to speak and always watching those Disney VHS movies right before the movie there was always footage of Disney World and that was something I wanted to see. A decade later I remember watching this tv reality show from NBC called Lost where 3 teams would start the show in the middle of nowhere and work they way to get back to the States without any money. Seeing all those different environments and people was also adding up to this desire to see the globe, not long after that CBS started The Amazing Race where teams also run around the globe competing but with financial assistance. Anyways, I had set in mind that I wanted to travel.

Planning it is a big step of becoming a backpacker but so much can change and change your mind once you start travelling. But why do you wanna be a backpacker? To see the world, to fulfill a personal desire, to make money, to make friends? The ‘why’ will take you to places and keep you motivated and focused.

Whites Bay, New Zealand

Networking is also key to this life specially if you are or plan to be one of those digital nomads working remotely, you have to look for work, for people to work with/for and so on and the best way to find work is knowing people who know people and somehow can help you. Unless you have won the lottery and money is not a problem.

 
Visas in my personal experience are the most annoying thing on this planet. I do agree they’re necessary but they also keep somehow people far apart. I’ve heard of many stories of people who had found their soulmate but things didn’t work out mainly for the visa situation. The easiest way to move abroad and start working and travelling is through a Working Holiday Visa, which allows you to work and travel in a country for about a year. Some countries have more options of working holiday visas than others (which is annoying). For instance citizens of European countries usually have way more options of countries they can get this visa than nationals of South American countries.

All in all it’s all about wanting it. When you do have the will and focus you can get anywhere.

I didn’t use to travel much but once I started, I just can’t stop travelling. On Can I Pack? I try to share how I make my travels work out because travelling shouldn’t be hard.