Who is backpacking for?



Do you know anyone who has gone backpacking? It's a type of travel that is low-cost and independent, often meaning no fixed plans regarding accommodation or destination. The word 'backpacking' comes from 'backpack', a type of bag that you carry on your back.



Travellers typically fill a backpack with life essentials, like clothing, plus anything extra needed for adventure. The stereotypical view of a backpacker is someone in their 20s, keen to tick off items on their bucket list. But, forget this. You're about to find out that anyone can backpack.



Last year, my best friend's parents retired at aged 65 and set off on a 630-mile trail along the southwest coast of England. Each carrying a 15kg backpack, Mike and Lorraine hiked along cliffs, explored golden sandy beaches and even cycled. For accommodation, they didn't pre-book but stayed in whatever they could find on the day, which varied from B&Bs to camping in fields full of sheep. They did stop for the occasional well-deserved cup of tea – they were in England after all.



Backpackers are also known for travelling with little money, but few begin with as little as Othmane Zolati from Morocco. In 2015, he embarked on an almost four-year journey, but he started out with just $80 (£64). He zigzagged across 24 countries on the African continent and filmed his experience, aiming to show the world the diversity and beauty of Africa, all on a shoestring budget.



He told BBC What's New that he often had to work odd jobs and rely on the kindness of strangers to be able to afford to keep travelling. But it was worth it. South Africa was Othmane's final destination and, on reaching it, he said "It was one of the best moments in my life. It made me know that if you fight for something, you really stick to that goal… then you will reach it".



So, don't give up. If you want to travel, you can, no matter your age or budget!



词汇表

go backpacking  [ˈbækˌpækɪŋ] 背包旅行

low-cost [ˌləʊ ˈkɒst] 低成本的，廉价的

fixed [fɪkst] 固定的，不变的

accommodation [əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃn] 住处，住宿

backpack [ˈbækpæk] （徒步旅行或登山时用的）背包，旅行包

life essentials [ɪˈsenʃlz] 生活必需品

stereotypical [ˌsteriəˈtɪpɪkl] 刻板印象的，老套的

backpacker [ˈbækpækə(r)] 背包客，徒步旅行者

be keen to [kiːn] 热衷于，渴望

tick off [tɪk] 勾选（清单），做标记（表示已完成）

bucket list [ˈbʌkɪt] 人生愿望清单

set off 出发，启程

trail [treɪl] 小路，小径；路线

hike [haɪk] 徒步旅行，远足

cliff [klɪf] 悬崖，峭壁

golden sandy beaches [ˈɡəʊldən ˈsændi ˈbiːtʃɪz] 金色沙滩

pre-book [ˌpriː ˈbʊk] 提前预订

B&B（bed and breakfast的缩写）民宿，提供住宿加早餐的旅馆

camp [kæmp] 露营，野营；营地

well-deserved [ˌwel dɪˈzɜːvd] 应得的，该有的，当之无愧的

Morocco [məˈrɒkəʊ] 摩洛哥（非洲西北部国家）

embark on [ɪmˈbɑːk] 开始，着手，从事（旅程或困难的事情）

zigzag [ˈzɪɡzæɡ] 曲折前进，呈之字形前进

continent [ˈkɒntɪnənt] 大陆，洲

shoestring budget [ˈʃuːstrɪŋ ˈbʌdʒɪt] 极少的预算，小额预算

odd jobs [ɒd] 零工，杂活



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