Backpacking is a form
of low-cost, independent international travel. It includes the use of a backpack that
is easily carried for long distances or long periods of time; the use of public
transport; inexpensive lodging such as youth hostels; often a
longer duration of the trip when compared with conventional vacations; and
often an interest in meeting locals as well as seeing sights. (Wikipedia)
Why do people want a break? Why
are they prompted to just drop everything and get away for a few days?
Different people, different motives I guess. My motives have largely been
emotional and the driving force behind every adventure that I ever embarked
upon has been my inner torments. I either wanted to move on from a break up, or
gather inner strength before a rough patch or just wanted to have some time by
myself. Now how it all began is a different story. Before I went on first solo
trip I never knew I had it in me to do something like this and like most things
I just discovered my passion for travelling.
The period between 2007 and 2011
had been a particularly rough time for me. It was a period of many firsts; I
got my first job, moved to a different city for the first time in my life, fell
in love and moved in with my boyfriend. These were all brand new and extremely
exciting but terrifying experiences when I think about them now. However in 2009 I had a rather painful break
up that not only made me move back with my parents but also turned me into a
lost soul.
For about a year and a half after
my break up in Sept 2009 I just didn’t know what to do with my life. I was
depressed and had a severe case of insomnia. I used to roam around the house
like a ghost in the night and sleep through the day. I think my plan was to
sleep through it all but then I had a job to go to and bills to pay so I
couldn’t really do that, but the hours that I was awake, I was pretty much a
zombie.
Luckily I had some very good
friends who managed to pull me out of it. That and a chance visit to my ex’s Facebook page which had a picture of him and his wife having fun. The day I saw
that picture it suddenly hit me that he was happy, having a time of his life in
the US with a great job and a hot wife and where the hell was I? What was I
doing with my life? After writing an angry email full of expletives which by
the way made me feel so relieved like I was finally able to let go (and also
incredibly stupid after a while).
