UNDISPUTED FACT: It only takes two words to make a backpacker’s eyes sparkle: “free drink.”

UNDISPUTED FACT: : It only takes three more words to make that backpacker your friend for life:”are you hungry”?

Going backpacking definately makes you realize how little it takes to survive. Apart from my pets, I haven’t missed much since I’ve been on the road. It’s a little unsettling to realize that all I need in life can be carried in one decent-sized backpack. I was especially amazed to discover that I hadn’t had Wendy’s for over a month and was still functionong. And with only two pairs of jeans  and limited t’Shirts, it’s freeing to not have to worry about what to wear each morning.

The backpacker’s challenge is this: Everything necessary for daily living must be able to be carried all at once. Too many bags, and you won’t get too far. Too heavy a bag, and you won’t be able to carry it anywhere. Therefore, you give yourself a pre determined amount of space and weight, and you adhere to it. It’s like physics – if you purchase an article, something else of equal or greater size and weight must be farewelled. It certainly makes you think twice about unplanned purchases. Personally, I think it’s easier this way – I think I’ll make an experiment of it next time I make a purchase at home. One thing bought, one thing tossed. It would certainly remove the clutter, don’t you think?

Some hazards of the travellers life:

My expensive joggers now look like I’ve worn them every day for three years. Australia’s red center with all the clingy red dust is mainly to blame.

I managed to get so sunburnt scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef , that I had to cancel my Daintree Rainforest tour.

I’ve lost either my shampoo or my conditioner I think a total of a thousand times by forgetting it in the bathroom long enough for someone else to find it. Oops. I’ve avoided bed bugs, thank christ, but just barely. My roommate of one night was not so lucky. I felt itchy the whole day just out of sympathy for her.

24/7 company is good but can be dreary at times. I imagine long term backpackers must lust about just one night in a room to themselves.Towels never have a chance to dry properly. Damp towels = mouldy. Smelly towels + dirty tennis shoes = musty smelling clothes. I have learned quickly that backpacking is not a way to impress people with your high sense of fashion. The true (female) backpacker wears zero makeup, hair tied haphazardly into a ponytail-ish bun, wrinkled clothes…and a huge grin on her face because she’s more excited about the free food at her hostel than the shopping center accross the road. And on to the primary joys of the backpacker life:

Flexibility! Halfway through my travels from Darwin to Cairns, I decided I wanted to stay a week in Melbourne with a guy I met. So I did. Easy as that. I love it!

I’ve met people from everywhere! I’ve had meaningful conversations with new friends from Australia, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Belgium, France, Scotland, Wales, Japan, Canada, and the USA. (And those are just the ones I can recall at the moment.)

While in Cairns, I made new friends every night, even conning a few of them to join me hanggliding.

While scuba diving in Cairns, I made friends with a Italian who invited me to visit him in Rome. I think I’ll pass on that one, but it was fun to be asked , all the same. I’ll always be able to brag about that now.

I’ve met friends in one part of the country, only to meet them again in another! Case in point, I met Helen first in my Jillaroo class in Glen Innes, again two months later in Adelaide, and again several weeks later in Sydne.Pretty much, I’d say that I rather enjoyed my try at backpacking Oz!