Ramdon Thoughts

Are You a Minority In the Backpacking World?

I think about this a lot even before I started traveling and I still continue to ingest into thought of being unique upon this big world. Backpacker by itself is a minority in itself to certain extend but gradually gaining ground in the tourism industry with new technology paving the way for easier travel.

Of all my random thoughts and constant debate which goes inside my head this was one that I could never settle upon. I will try to simplify my thoughts as much as possible.

I for one would differentiate people’s decision into two categories which is :

1. To conform is to be part of a trend / community / expected behavior
2. To be different to make oneself unique and be distinguish as an individual and not a herd like cattle.

Now these are not mutually exclusive and everyone of us is both of them meaning you may conform to some things and deviate a little to create one own personality. Kinda like mixing spices to create a recipe of dish.

Confuse Yet? I am even if you are not.

Still back to the question I begin to ask myself how one could consider being a minority within a minority group (backpackers) for that matter.

1. If you are from a small country are you naturally a minority?
2. If you are from Asia are you considered minority in the backpacking world?
3. If you are crazy for traveling longer than any backpacker (i.e. > 3 years) are you a minority?
4. If you are female does it mean a minority?
5. Solo Backpackers?
6. Chuck in more bizarre questions here …..

Does it Matter? 

In a way I think it does. If you are the first person to ever set foot say in Australia from Europe (Think of it as first Dutch Man to set foot in Australia as a Backpacker) it’s a huge accomplishment even if at that time he was the only one to know it.

It’s a huge self awareness and confidence which built up within each traveler. I would theorize in these few steps

1. Baby excursions
2. Long Holidays with friends
3. Backpacking the Globe
4. Nah! Everywhere is safe … you never been there before how would you know!
5. Lets jump off a place with no parachute …

Some say a BIG Trip will change you and you’ll probably get a lot of attention when you end the trip with curious people observing you and trying to probe which part of you have change. I think the change starts even before the trip. With even the consideration of a trip to the planning stage the mind has already open to the possibility of anything which is the best state for self discovery. Being a minority means you get to make bigger mark.

Imagine Columbus saying .... Drat it ... I just folllowed Dawg ..

Part of my other stupid thoughts where all race and religion of all shits should marry each other like mad cows and breed half everything so there would be world peace.

Furthering these thoughts is that all the rest should travel and open their mind to the endless possibilities thus hating the world a little less and also contribute to world peace.

I sound like a beauty pageant reading this …. But I shall leave it that way.

Advantages or disadvantages of being a minority ….

Sometimes it’s harder to travel with the wrong passport. Humans make it difficult with lines on a map … how nice would it be if we could go back to Neolithic time where you could go wherever you wanted …. Just watch out for the other tribes and animals out to kill you.

I always think … because of my Malaysian passport it would be easy to travel within Muslim countries despite my Chinese skin tone. However I would fear going to China where I could barely speak the language and be slaughtered to pieces.

Having the letters spell out for you that you may never ever enter Israel ….. Hmmm Challenge Acep…… maybe next time

I also envy the rich nations where beggars in their home country could become kings in Asia. Ok maybe not to that extend but it somehow feels unfair that it’s so easy for rich nation’s people to travel instead of poor developing ones. But I guess that’s why there are different price for different tourist types in Asia … payback (muahahaha)…. moving on

Have you ever considered working when travelling? I don’t want to be an illegal worker but when two countries open up ties to let backpackers work to fund their travel while abroad ….. why oh why not mine !!! 

This dreamy shitty thoughts could go on forever … which will continue on another time when I am super bored … but for now that’s it.

In case you are wondering …. If you guys ever met me … there won’t be a hint of this shit on my face …. Good luck .