Hello - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

earth2doty · 06-28-2008, 09:47 PM

Okay, I'm going to go ahead and guess I'm one of the oldest people on this site, 55 - yikes! So I introduce myself with a question - am I insane to think I can pull off a backpack eurotrip? Doing 16 days as a first timer solo in October, but I'm not your dad. I listen to Monster Magnet and She Wants Revenge, Slacker (not Slackers) is one of my favorite movies, pretty juvenile for my age, just a little less hair. Appreciate any encouragement/discouragement/input/advice for an older travelpunk.

**raoulduke** · 06-28-2008, 10:23 PM

I don't wish to presume the age of any of our members here but I can confidently say you're not the only one here in that age category.

You'll find all the advice and inspiration you'll need here, you may even start feeling less insane when you meet some of the people here.

Welcome to TPunk!

**The Sasquatch** · 06-29-2008, 02:33 AM

Definitely not insane. Maybe enlightened is a better word.

**expatben** · 06-29-2008, 05:42 AM

You're never too old to travel. Heck my Grandma took a trip to Iran in her 80s. Anything is possible if you want it bad enough.

**pinknic38** · 06-29-2008, 06:52 AM

Welcome to the boards!! You're certainly not too old!

If you've got any questions about where to go, how to get there, what to do, or anything else, I'm sure we can help!

earth2doty · 06-29-2008, 04:18 PM

Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement from this sage group, and look forward to getting more input from you and others

**Esterina** · 06-29-2008, 05:45 PM

I started backpacking in my 30s and met quite a bit of "older" low budget travelers.

I don't know if that is of any interest to you, but most youth hostels accept travellers of any age. Good news for our pockets.

Welcome to travelpunk! :D

**marc873** · 06-29-2008, 11:21 PM

You should def. not worry. Maybe watch A Map For Saturday for a little encouragement, theres a backpacker in his late sixties doing an extended trip.... I have total plans of still traveling as a backpacker well into my sixties (I'm 34 now).... Go for it, and fucking enjoy it!!!

earth2doty · 06-30-2008, 05:57 AM

I guess the hostel thing was the essence of my question. I have no qualms about any other aspect of the trip, but I do want to do hostels to get the full experience and to save money, just didn't know if I would feel like an alien, but I'm ready to go for it - thx!

**raoulduke** · 06-30-2008, 06:19 AM

If you're uncomfortable sleeping in dorm rooms then you can always get a private room in a hostel.

I think if you are friendly to other people you will be accepted no matter what your age.

**Esterina** · 06-30-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earth2doty

I do want to do hostels to get the full experience and to save money, just didn't know if I would feel like an alien, but I'm ready to go for it - thx!

You'll probably feel like an alien from time to time. Not of out place, but maybe not always on the same page. I sometimes did, and I was 35... Those days when the average age around you is 20 years old at the most, it's barely impossible not to feel old !

Most of the time though, it's very comfortable around younger backpackers. A common traits among them is mind openness, that says it all.

In Poland, a lot of locals, above their 40s travel within the country and use hostels. But I don't think you're going there.

**Elizabeth** · 06-30-2008, 09:26 PM

Welcome to Tpunk!

I have met a few older guys (and gals for the record) in hostels and they were all keeping up with the young guys! If you want to hang out with people closer to your age range you can always try Couchsurfing and search for the older members.

**travelpunk** · 07-01-2008, 12:46 AM

Welcome to TPunk! Hostels are sort of an ageless zone, cuz everyones just chillin, so you'll be fine

.

**jengt** · 07-01-2008, 03:27 AM

Welcome! I just started backpacking this year - at 45. Don't worry about the age thing. The hostels I stayed at in Costa Rica had folks with a VERY wide range of ages. As raoulduke said, if you don't like dorms there are almost always private rooms. I had a blast meeting a lot of other folks & I'm a bit of a wallflower!

Congrats on deciding to do it. You'll never regret it!

earth2doty · 07-01-2008, 05:46 AM

Thanks again to all for the encouragement. The dorm concept doesn't put me off either, should be a better environment for meeting people, so I'm psyched about the whole experience.