Are You Backpacker Enough?

menurut wikipedia :

Backpacking is a form of low-cost, independent international travel. It includes the use of a backpack or other luggage that is easily carried for long distances or long periods of time; the use of public transport; inexpensive lodging such as youth hostels; a longer duration to the trip when compared with conventional vacations; and an interest in meeting the locals as well as seeing the sights.

lebih lanjut lagi menurut wikipedia :

Of importance in backpacking is a sense of authenticity. Backpacking is perceived as being more than a vacation, but a means of education.

kemudian pada artikel wikipedia terdapat kritik pada aktivitas para backpacker :

However, the perception of backpackers seems to have improved as backpacking has become more mainstream. Another criticism is that even though one of the primary aims of backpacking is to seek the “authentic”,  the majority of backpackers spend most of their time interacting with other backpackers, and interactions with locals are of “secondary importance.”

lengkapnya tentang backpacking di Wikipedia bisa dilihat disini : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backpacking_(travel)

bagi saya, di saat para backpacker mengajak untuk berwisata ala ransel dan melepas koper namun ironisnya ransel yang dipakai harganya nya bisa 2 kali lipat harga koper. lalu menyandang backpack / ransel kemana – mana dan melabel backpacker.

maka, sudahkah sebagai backpacker membaca kembali apa itu definisi backpacker, terutama yang saya garis tebal :

1. Tertarik bertemu orang lokal sama halnya tertarik saat melihat pemandangan

2. Backpacker tidak semata liburan, namun juga sarana edukasi. mengedukasi, diedukasi.

3. Menjadikan interaksi dengan orang lokal sebagai prioritas utama, dibandingkan lebih banyak menghabiskan waktu dengan sesama backpacker.

maka daripada itu, sudahkah kita benar-benar seorang backpacker?

Tabik.