Backpacking 101-my perspective.
(This isn't relevant to my 'home' in Pai, Thailand.)This is leaving my friends/'family' on my own with my backpack to a new country.
-In a new country traveling alone don't trust ANYONE. The seemingly nicest person can turn out to be the biggest asshole. Watch your back and trust your intuition.
-Absolutely do not buy any offerings of drugs you hear on the street. (I have NOT)
You can possibly go to a horrible foreign prison for 10+ years of it's an undercover or die because it's something other then what you thought it was. (Particularly Indonesia) Heard a story tonight of some Aussie buying mushrooms and jumping off a building. Those are not mushrooms.
-You arrive to whatever country alone and know no one.
Sit somewhere with a lot of people. Have a beer. You will meet another traveller or hopefully an honest friendly local.
-If you get stuck in the rain alone hiding under a shelter of a mini mart outside surrounded by local kids trying to sell you bracelets you don't want or need, just chill. Hang out. Tell them about your tattoos they point at. Let them laugh at you a bit and laugh with them. Eventually you will end up buying them ice cream. It's inevitable.
-Map your go to place and take screenshots of this map. If you don't have a SIM card in whatever country you end up relying on wifi. Which is not everywhere while walking. You will then know how long it takes to walk there/cab whatever. I have been 500 meters from my destination and had drivers try to tell me it's 8 miles away. It's always good to laugh it off and keep on walking the few minutes more you have to go.
-Wear your bag around your waist(in the front) or clip it so it's in front of you. You need to keep track of that shit at all times.
ALWAYS. Fanny packs have never been more cool. Especially if it's Adidas or Vans or something. You can make it look awesome. It is awesome.
-ATM's. Stand in front of that machine like your guarding your passport, a child anything important. Get so close you feel the need to wash your face after. Don't let ANYONE see your pin, balance or how much you take out.
-Only take your phone out when you know your ok to. Don't do it on a busy street. Do it at home, at a restaurant where many waiters/waitresses are present or with someone you can trust(really genuinely trust).
-Don't spend your money on people you just met. Especially locals. Ya one beer o.k. If they give you a ride that's even more appreciated. Just because I'm not from this side of the world doesn't mean I'm rich. Or stupid.
-Do your research. Go online to any backpacker site and find out how much for a cab, a motorcycle taxi ect. Don't be that naive backpacker who shows up in a new country not understanding what the currency is worth and end up getting screwed over.
- ALWAYS lock your door. Don't tell people where you live.
-I can't say more about this one.
TRAVELERS INSURANCE.
Whether it's Bali belly, a fractured foot, an infection or just a refill on a prescription you will pay ALOT of money in some places. Just to walk in the door as a foreigner you pay. I invested in an insurance that is specific to backpacking and once I get to Canada I'm getting back way more then I pay monthly.
There's many more but that's it for now.
In Thailand I don't have most of these worries.
Every country is different.
Other then that it's awesome.
Xo from Indonesia.