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Fact: It only takes two words to make a backpacker’s eyes light up with delight: “free snack.”

Fact: It only takes five more words to turn that backpacker into a a friend for life:”do you want some dinner?”

Going backpacking really does make one realize how much you really needLiving out of a backpack really does make one realize how little it takes to survive. Apart from my pets, I’ve actually missed very few of my things since I’ve been a world traveller. It’s a bit of a worry to realize that all I need to survive can be carried on my backin one decent-sized backpack. I was especially shocked to realize that I hadn’t had McDonalds for over a week and was OK. And with only two pairs of jeans  and limited clothing options, it’s cool to not have to worry about what to wear each day. It quite simplifies the process of getting ready in the morning.

The backpacker’s struggle is this: You have to carry everything. Too many bags, and you won’t get too far. Too heavy a bag, and you’ll end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Therefore, you give yourself a pre determined amount of size and weight, and you stick to it. It’s like physics – if you buy something, something else of equal or greater size and weight must be farewelled. It certainly makes you think twice about impulse purchases. Personally, I wish most things in life worked like this – I think I’ll make an experiment of it next time I’m at home. One thing bought, one thing tossed. It would definately cut down on clutter, don’t you agree?

Some dangers of the travellers life:

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

I got myself so sunburnt scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef , that I had to miss my Kuranda Skyrail trip

I’ve lost either my shampoo or my conditioner I think a total of nine hundred times by forgetting it in the bathroom long enough for another backpacker to claim it. Oops.

Constant company is cool but can be too much at times. I imagine long term backpackers must daydream about just one night in a empty dorm.Towels never dry fully. Damp towels = disgusting. Smelly towels + dirty trainers = musty smelling clothes. I have learned quickly that backpacking is not a way to impress people with your personal hygeine. The true (female) backpacker wears no makeup, hair tied quickly

And on to the primary joys of the backpacker life:

Flexibility! Halfway through my travels from Darwin to Sydney, I decided I wanted to experience in Melbourne with a guy I met. So I did. Simple as that. I love it!

I’ve witnessed firsthand a Swiss and Belgian debate the best source of chocolate…and the same Belgian debate the best source of beer with a German.

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

While snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, 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 to meet someone there, all the same. I’ll always be able to say that now.

I’ve met friends in one part of the country, only to meet them again in another! Case in point, I met Kylie first in my horseriding class in Tamworth, again two months later in Darwin, and again several weeks later in Airlie Beach!I helped a Vietnamese girl work on her English, and in return she made me an origami crane out of beautiful Japanese paper.

Pretty much, I’d say that I rather enjoyed my try at backpacking Australia!

This blog entry is dedicated to my lovely brother in law, John, for giving me the inspiration for my trip.