It isn’t only because of the COVID pandemic, the crisis in Ukraine, or the fact that we have two college-aged kids…

It’s been a while now since I’ve slung a backpack over my shoulder with the sole intent of wearing out a new pair of boots.

I have no expectations. I have no aspirations. Borrowing a little Tolkein, I am a wanderer, but I am most certainly not lost. And, although I am a traveler, I am seeking nothing. I enjoy every moment as it is. I plan to record some events and promise to just as often experience things that I have no intention of noting in words or photography… lest I miss the point entirely. I sincerely hope the things I write and share bring some satisfaction to anyone interested.

Observations & Assumptions

One of the main observations I hope to highlight as I travel is the difference between traveling in 2022 at over 50, and travel that I did 20 and even more than 30 years ago. I’ll try to share some of the adaptations, corrections, and mistakes that I make as I go along.

I’m starting with a few basic assumptions. The first is that backpacking and staying in hostels and small local hotels will be a fairly different experience in my 50s than it was in my teens and 30s. Just like at home, so many businesses did not survive the tsunami of the pandemic and the economic upheaval that was its wake. That favorite family restaurant or hotel that you visited back in 1988, that had been there for 10 generations… could very well be gone now. It’s time to make new memories.

The second assumption that I’m making is that the act of traveling the world has changed significantly in 2022 because of all of the global upheaval. This is already playing out before I even get on the plane. Even if you get a great plane ticket deal (and they are out there!), making sure that you have all of the right paperwork, COVID testing with results (scheduled at the exact right timing before your flights), smartphone e-sims, phone apps, and entry and exit rules for each country is a big and costly task before you even leave home!

The third assumption that I’m making is that I have changed in the roughly 35 years since my first trip to Europe. From the outset, I already notice a difference in the way that the feeling of anticipation is playing in my mind and body. Frankly, I expected that I might still feel the physical sensation of raw, carefree excitement that I did at 17. But, alas, a heart scare and hospital stay the week before this trip immediately focused my mental and emotional attention like nothing I’ve ever known. Health matters. It is utterly insane just how many prescriptions I have. It is very difficult to enjoy a journey that becomes infested with health issues... So, my definition of carefree has had to change just a little.

But, health concerns aren’t the only reason that my feeling about travel is so different now at 51 than at 17. At 17, everything was so new. Traveling to a different country was so new. Just the idea of going someplace so far from home was exciting. Now, the excitement has matured into a warm feeling of energy that seems to be renewing my soul. I feel like I am about to go visit old friends whom I haven’t seen in a very long time. And, in fact, I am going to get the opportunity to do exactly that when I visit my son who has been studying abroad, and old friends from California who now live in Spain.

The Night Before

It is the evening before I get on the plane in Los Angeles, and other than completing this initial post (in part to help my wife help me edit and in part to be able to send family, friends, and anyone interested a link to my newsletter), I am repacking the last few items for the umpteenth time. As Rick Steves always said, no one ever goes home from backpacking in Europe and says, “Hmmm, maybe next time I should pack a heavier bag.”

I am traveling to Portugal and Spain during the shoulder season. While it should be an ideal time to be there (for things like enjoying the April Fair in Seville), the weather can shift drastically and rapidly depending on the location. It can also be a very wet time of year. Planning for such changes in weather and keeping the bag light can be quite a challenge.

What’s In the Bag?

First of all, I am only bringing two bags and they both can come on the plane with me for most of the trip (some of the smaller European hoppers make you check your bag no matter what). I purchased a Wurtzman backpack on Amazon. It was a great price and looks like it should do nicely for my trip. I also have a small messenger bag for my basics and a nylon tuck-away shopping bag for going to markets. That’s it!

• Linen pants (2)
• Linen shirts (2)
• Jeans (1)
• Under Armor style air-dry t-shirts(4)
• Under Armor style air dry leggings underwear (3 short, 1 long)
• Socks (5 pairs, 1 compression pair)
• Underwear (2… for laundry days)
• Flip flops
• Walking shoes
• Light pair of gloves (with touchscreen fingers)
• Nylon compression bags
• Toiletry basics (incl. 1st aid kit, moleskins, Tylenol — just a few for initial travel, prescription medications, toothbrush/toothpaste, comb, deodorant, clean wipes, kleenex, hand sanitizer, and additional face masks)
• A few light-weight books that I want to read and don’t mind leaving at a hostel when I leave
• Extra ziplock bags

Apps & Electronics

I have also spent some time today reaching out to friends and loved ones to let them know how to reach me while I travel and for how long I will be gone. Other than using Medium as my main blog and sharing source, I am using a fantastic app called TripIt from Google. From there, I can share my itinerary with whomever I choose.

For setting up bookings of hostels, my main app is Hostelworld. I’ve had experience using this app before, and it has always been great. They have saved me a lot of money over the years and have connected me with great people all over the world. Although they primarily book hostels, they have a lot of great small, local places in their system that you can book (including private rooms).

For my e-sim, I used Airalo. If you are not aware of e-sims, I highly suggest you dip your toe into that world. It can save a ton of money and time. Most modern phones have e-sims already installed in them, ready to go. They essentially work just like your little Sim chip, but you just set it up with an app through your phone. No more little pokey stick trying to get that tiny card out!

Gear

I am purposefully bringing very little gear. Electronics may give some advantages, but boy, can they add weight fast! Everything I am carrying fits easily in my messenger bag.

• Pixel 6 phone
• Mini fold-out keyboard
• Selfie stick with gimbal (my one splurge for weight!)
• Backup battery/ solar cell
• Flashlight (hostels with shared facilities can get really dark at night!)
• Bluetooth in-ear headphones
• Google Wear TicWatch
• EU power adapter
• Wires and adapters (all travel-sized) for recharging electronics

My Kindle reads, audiobooks, and music are all on my phone. I am also basically using Google docs to write articles and Google photos to share images with my wife, Becky, back home. Unfortunately, Medium is still not optimized for phone use, so she will have to serve as my liaison and editor for the articles. However, this is a great coup for me because I know that my writing will be much better for her having edited it. I am very lucky indeed.

So, we will see where this thinking worked and where things go awry during the journey! I will let you know as I go. Again, I look forward to sharing this journey with you.

I hope that you will join the newsletter and that you comment, ask questions, and share this work with others who might be interested!

Thank you for your time and interest.

Have a wonderful weekend in our beautiful world.

Namaste,

~Ev