Waiting for street tacos at 10pm in Mexico City
I realize this is a blog about hiking, but my goal from the get-go was to record our travel forays here as well. Why not create another blog for that, you ask? Well, that’s because I think there are a lot of similarities between hiking and budget travel.
1. The overall discomfort
Like hiking, there is a certain willingness to put up with a relative level of discomfort for what you hope will be a greater payout. Because the path is harder, planning is essential. Navigating the rules, regulations, flights, lodging and food takes a fair bit of time and strategizing, much like planning the gear and route of a trip. Lack of planning leads to unforeseen costs which goes against the whole intention of budget travel in the first place.
2. Packing your bags
Like hiking, packing your bag is another critical component. Budget travelers try to avoid checking luggage, especially as most airlines now charge for such a luxury. What and how you pack is a very detailed task. Roller bags are fine, but we tend to prefer backpacks for the inevitable long walks down corridors or coming upon an unknown staircase where an elevator is nowhere to be found. This tends to keep overall luggage size down as well, which is important as some carriers impose strict limitations on bag size and weight.
3. Time, time time
Like hiking, budget travel takes a lot of time. The route may not be direct and may not be on the most comfortable method of transportation, but you will get there. Long lines, flight delays, flight changes, counting passports and boarding passes over and over again, more lines, you get the picture. It all takes time and a healthy dose of patience, especially with kids. But you make it fun and try to enjoy the little things along the way.
4. Appreciating the journey
And like hiking, the reward is not only the vacation itself but the path you took to get there. Sometimes half the fun is in the getting there. Maybe it’s an overnight stay in a city you’ve never been to just to catch a cheap flight out the next day (see my Costa Rica post). Maybe it’s switching modes of transportation to try something new, like an overnight train or a long road trip. Sometimes it’s just the funny or unexpected moments that happen along the journey and becomes one of the stories you end up telling over and over again about your trip.
Now, I’m not trying to bag on luxury travel or paying for problems to disappear. It has its place. Truth be told, if I had the money to fly business class every time, I’d do it. Just like if I had the money to upgrade all my outdoor gear to the best on the market, I’d do that too. And to be honest, we do pay our way out of a few inconveniences by carrying certain credit cards with travel perks, getting Global Entry, etc. But overall, if you experience the moments you’ve been given in the place you are, you can see there are SO many advantages to traveling on the cheap. It’s simply a different experience when you are present, alert and engaged….like hiking!
And honestly, anything that happens above and beyond the no-frills seems like good fortune, aka trail magic!
There’s a reason I’m drawn to both these things. For me, travel and hiking bring an appreciate for nature, humanity, and being in the moment. I hope you enjoy our stories on the trail, both literally and figuratively.
