My Travel Philosophy

Backpacking Diplomacy in a Nutshell

One might ask why I chose the name “Backpacking Diplomacy” as my site name.  After all, it is a rather strange name. The reason that I chose Backpacking Diplomacy as the name of my blog has a little background. It is not exactly the diplomacy in the sense that we commonly associate it, but rather somewhat different in significance.

It started with my university studies. During my undergraduate years, I studied international relations concentrating in global diplomacy. Then, I went backpacking for the first time. That is sort of how I came up with the name. The reason that I decided to bring the two together is here:

The name Backpacking Diplomacy encompasses two aspects that I am thoroughly passionate about.  First off, I love backpacking as a form of traveling.  I see it as the most grassroots way to experience the interesting people and places that exist in this world.  Each backpacking trip is unique and challenging, and one can surely have opportunities for personal growth and development while traveling this way.  Diplomacy on the other hand is a bit different.  When we think of diplomacy we usually think government officials that travel a lot for meetings.  When I refer to diplomacy, I am alluding more towards the textbook definition of the term.  Something more along the lines of how to interact and treat people in a friendly yet effective way.  In some aspects diplomacy is a form of art. My site is mostly about the manner in which you travel: travelling diplomatically.

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.

– Maya Angelou

 

How do they fit together?

As I have just mentioned, backpacking and diplomacy are not exactly terms that coincide with one another directly.  I have linked the terms because I feel that we, as a human race, have much to gain from interacting with one another on a personal level.  In my experience, one of the best ways to interact with each other is through backpacking.  Not that I feel that backpacking will solve all the world’s problems (It won’t), but I do think that a lot of problems could be solved by better cultural understanding and sharing.  Thus, people who are better traveled and cultured make for more diplomatic attitudes, which can ultimately lead to stronger international cohesion.  Ambitious? Well, maybe a little, but they say the first step to making it happen is believing in the cause itself.  In thoughts like this, I look to Gandhi who told us, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” It has to start somewhere. What do you think?

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Who am I writing for?

If you are taking the time to read this, I am writing for you.  I try to add content that can help any traveler.  Clearly, some of my articles and posts are directed at new travelers.  Whereas others are more in-depth and meant to stimulate travel conversation and dialogue among more seasoned travelers.

Where am I going with this?

I love everything about traveling, well almost at least.  More specifically, I like backpacking.  Since I started to travel, I have made it my goal to continue exploring places, experiencing new things, and learning from the world around us.  Essentially, I see the world as a classroom.  It has many lessons to teach, and those lessons stem from traveling and sharing with one another.  Traveling, in any form, is a great learning experience.

Some of my Goals

– To write the stories and lessons of people and cultures from around the globe; the seemingly lost knowledge and wisdom that fundamentally connects us all at the core.

– To build a community of people who love to travel and love the world even more, and seek to know both better.

– I want this site to be a valid source of information for people who seek to plan their own trips.

– I want to become a conversation starter, for needed conversations, and bring in other opinions from the around the world.

In short my travel philosophy revolves on 3 principles:

– Immersing myself in local culture (speaking the local language, trying the food, and dancing) Tips

– Respecting local culture (Leaving only footprints) Here

– Enjoying every moment of life (I believe a fulfilled life is one of new experiences) Happy

How do you fit in?

If you like to travel, find my site interesting, or are looking to get into traveling, join into the conversation.  You can do this by subscribing for a weekly update to my blog and connecting with me through social media.  SUBSCRIBE HERE! At the moment, Backpacking Diplomacy is on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.  All links can be found on my social media page.