7 Things Backpackers Need

There are many things both physical and mental that a backpacker may need, here are seven of them that are really important for a successful journey:

1.Eyes wide open. Just look around you. Take it all in, there's gonna be so many things that are going on, that it's gonna be a little bit overwhelming at times, but keep your eyes open, keep your head up and be always safe. Stay away from everything that seems too weird or dangerous.

2.Sense of adventure. Don't be a boring backpacker. Go and get lost, maybe find a hidden trail and then follow it till is no end, or make your own trail, leave your footprints where no one else has been. Just go and have fun. You're only there once, don't waste the occasion on boring things or complaints that there's nothing else to do after you've visited all the big museums and famous monuments. Grab your camera, go get lost and have a great adventure.

3.A good pair of walking shoes. Very, very important: never go on a hike or some trekking in flip-flops, because it's ridiculous. And wrong. And people will laugh at you. And you won't be able to walk comfortably and your trip will be ruined. Get appropriate and comfortable shoes and your feet will be grateful. If your good walking shoes are also waterproof, then they are perfect.

4.A travel journal. This is a must. There will be amazing things on your trip that you will forget. Such as just a weird and funny joke or a simple thing that made you feel amazing at some point. Or write messages for yourself from every place you're visiting, you'll enjoy a lot reading them when you'll get back home. Also, writing down your feelings is a great way to reflect, especially if you're going away for a really long time. You can look back and think how you've changed or have you changed at all. Better get one with a pocket at the back where you can put your things in, like all kinds of tickets and passes, entry tickets, leaflets, notes, drawings or whatever you think of that would remind you about that great adventure. Your children and grandchildren and maybe even great-great grandchildren will also be very happy to learn and discover through your adventures. It doesn't have to be expensive, it can be a notepad, but write it down, you'll never regret it.

5.Passport. Even if you don't need it for your destination, you won't be home and you never know. Just take it.

6.An open mind. When you go to a country where their culture is polo-opposite to yours, you need to have an open mind. It's a must. Some people travel for example to Asia, and they automatically close up when they get there, thinking 'oh this is so different, I can't get around, look at these symbols, I can't read these symbols, oh I'm not gonna taste that' and they hate the trip. Others keep an open mind and they end up having the time of their life and loving that particular destination for exactly the things that others hated. So, the right motto is 'I am gonna take whatever this country is gonna give me. I am gonna go up there and I am gonna live it, I am gonna experience it'. Just so you won't regret that you weren't able to enjoy your trip when you get back home. There is really no point in traveling with a closed mind.

7.A camera. Not everyone needs a camera, some people just love to enjoy their adventures as they are and live in the moment, but most travelers love to take visual memories from their journeys. So that's really for you to decide. However, if you take one with you, choose a small and practical one. Unless you're an artist or a professional in travel industry, there's no point in carrying expensive and complicated photo equipment with you. So, take a small digital camera with you and as an advice, let it be waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, because it's gonna be dropped, thrown in your bag, it might get wet and you don't want to lose your precious memories along with it, even if the camera was really inexpensive.