Backpacking Diplomacy by Andy A blog dedicated to sharing world culture, travel tips and building community.
Our travel philosophy
Backpacking Diplomacy, in a nutshell
People ask why the site is called Backpacking Diplomacy. It’s an odd name, fair enough, and the diplomacy here isn’t quite the kind you’re picturing.
It started at university. Andy studied international relations with a focus on global diplomacy, then went backpacking for the first time, and the two stuck together in his head. The name brings together two things we’re genuinely passionate about.
Backpacking, first, because it’s the most grassroots way to experience the people and places of this world. Every trip is its own challenge, and few things grow a person faster. And diplomacy, not the government-officials-in-meetings kind, but closer to the textbook sense: how to interact with people in a way that’s both friendly and effective. There’s an art to it. At heart, this site is 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 the two fit together
Backpacking and diplomacy don’t obviously belong in the same sentence. We pair them because we believe people have a lot to gain from meeting one another on a personal level, and backpacking is one of the best ways to do it.
Backpacking won’t solve all the world’s problems (it won’t). But a lot of friction comes down to people not understanding one another, and better cultural understanding and sharing genuinely helps. People who are better travelled tend toward more diplomatic attitudes, and enough of that adds up to stronger connection across borders. Ambitious? A little. But the first step toward making something happen is believing in it, and as Gandhi put it, “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 we’re writing for
If you’re taking the time to read this, we’re writing for you. Some of our work is aimed at new travellers finding their feet; other pieces go deeper, meant to spark real conversation among people who’ve been at this for years. Wherever you are on that path, there’s something here.
Where we’re going with this
We love almost everything about travel, backpacking most of all. The whole project is about continuing to explore, to try new things, and to learn from the world around us. The world is a classroom, and its lessons come from travelling and sharing with one another.
Our goals:
- To tell the stories and lessons of people and cultures around the globe, the seemingly lost knowledge and wisdom that connects us all at the core.
- To build a community of people who love to travel and love the world even more, and want to know both better.
- To be a genuinely useful source for people planning their own trips.
- To start conversations worth having, and bring in voices from around the world.
In short, the philosophy comes down to three principles:
- Immerse yourself in local culture, speaking the language, trying the food, and dancing. How to immerse.
- Respect local culture, leaving only footprints. More on that.
- Enjoy every moment, because a fulfilled life is one of new experiences. Here’s why.
How you fit in
If you love to travel, find this place interesting, or are just looking to start, join the conversation. Subscribe for updates and connect with us on social media, you’ll find everything on the social media page. The more voices, the better.
Curious who’s behind all this? Meet the team and the founder on the About page.