Defending backpacking in 2026 Hello, I’m a 28F going…
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Defending backpacking in 2026
Hello,
I’m a 28F going backpacking to Latin America on a one-way flight for an undefined period of time, most likely 6-8 months. Recently my parents and friends have been giving me a hard time about this, making me defend backpacking or traveling constantly.
Their arguments range from complaining about being unemployed and being a freerider of society to the unsustainability of it.
My best friend has been giving me a particularly hard time. She thinks there is no place for traveling in today’s world, with how oversaturated with tourism most places are. She gave some examples of how tourism has destroyed local life in certain places. I obviously see her point and agree with it to some extent. Now I am not planning on traveling some classic pre-designed route for young backpackers, no party hostels, no set menu of tourist attractions. I am mainly planning on workaways and staying in one place for 1-2 months.
I am learning Spanish and want to improve my language abilities whilst there, as well as improve my salsa skills and generally just experience local culture.
Are there any redeeming aspects to this type of traveling in 2026? Any positive arguments to be made for backpacking on a global scale?
I know mass tourism is a problem and have also been annoyed at it myself. I also do care a lot about the climate crisis and do a lot of other things to try and limit my own carbon footprint, but unfortunately I will have to fly to Latin America from where I live. I have always dreamed of this trip and I do just feel a bit sad that people around me seem so angry at me for going.
#nature #activity
source
Hello,
I’m a 28F going backpacking to Latin America on a one-way flight for an undefined period of time, most likely 6-8 months. Recently my parents and friends have been giving me a hard time about this, making me defend backpacking or traveling constantly.
Their arguments range from complaining about being unemployed and being a freerider of society to the unsustainability of it.
My best friend has been giving me a particularly hard time. She thinks there is no place for traveling in today’s world, with how oversaturated with tourism most places are. She gave some examples of how tourism has destroyed local life in certain places. I obviously see her point and agree with it to some extent. Now I am not planning on traveling some classic pre-designed route for young backpackers, no party hostels, no set menu of tourist attractions. I am mainly planning on workaways and staying in one place for 1-2 months.
I am learning Spanish and want to improve my language abilities whilst there, as well as improve my salsa skills and generally just experience local culture.
Are there any redeeming aspects to this type of traveling in 2026? Any positive arguments to be made for backpacking on a global scale?
I know mass tourism is a problem and have also been annoyed at it myself. I also do care a lot about the climate crisis and do a lot of other things to try and limit my own carbon footprint, but unfortunately I will have to fly to Latin America from where I live. I have always dreamed of this trip and I do just feel a bit sad that people around me seem so angry at me for going.
#nature #activity
source
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