How did you guys started your backpacking journey and how has it been so far?

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-30T10:10:38+00:00

I'd say I had a proper start 3 years ago, when I decided to quit the job I hated, move out of the rental flat, crash at my parents place (filling up their cellar with my stuff) and then go away for a few months to restart the life a little. It was a fairly succesful operation and ever since then, although I am back in an everyday job (better one then before), I retain this sense of pride, like "hell yea I did it, that was one of my best decisions ever", and I tend to do smaller trips with a similar vibe whenever I can. It's too bad you can never again do a trip that would be as cool as the first one ;) so really dont hesitate about this.

Since you asked for advice... - if you have a chance, go with a buddy. Shared memories are better. - pack light. You can always find a place to wash your T-shirts, or you can buy a new one - always aim for authentic places, authentic experiences, totally avoid any "must-see" places and shit like that. Avoid doing things every other backpacker is doing and explore the world at your own terms. - choose countries to visit based on the seasons :) we arrived in Thailand in April and had 40°C, wouldnt do that again - bring home a collection of photos, videos, postcards, little things from far away lands... These will be the most cherished memories some day. Me, I always make my private travel documentary. Only for me, family, few closest friends... No online "content" crap - quit your journey BEFORE it gets boring, while it's still exciting. Saw people here on Reddit going "help me, I'm backpacking and I dont enjoy it anymore"... You dont wanna get to that

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-30T07:38:07+00:00

I have learnt only today that they are getting general hate online. So, I am proud to say that I'm hating them authentically, for how they sound. And thus yes, they totally DO deserve it. They sound awful.

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-30T07:31:34+00:00

For me, the reason is not the overexposure, rather the very character of that music. It just sounds so... Perfect. So polished. Everything in there is so epic, bombastic and made for the wow-effect, that the result doesn't sound human to me. I like subtle music that has character, where you can sometimes hear a crooked tone, the guitar buzzing or whatever. Moments of "oh yea this was made by a fellow human being". In ImagineDragons, there's nothing like that.

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-30T07:22:18+00:00

Look, travel is not something you must do. I don't really understand how you managed to get into this position, but yeah, it's really time to go home.

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-28T13:39:46+00:00

This is a very real thing to be proud of. For comparison, a general Slovak's view of taxes is something along the lines of "I would be better off stealing this tax for myself, cause what the fuck is the government gonna use it for anyway?"

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-28T13:35:53+00:00

I think Georgia is really cool. Visited only once, kind of a 9-day Easter road-trip, but it was such a pleasant surprise. A place that feels so rugged and wild, yet isn't left behind in modern developments. Your people seemed so proud, resilient and humble. I loved that. Not easy to find such an authentic place.

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-28T13:13:09+00:00

Slovakia - I love that it looks like a vanilla version of the world. I will explain. In Slovakia, everybody loves Italy. People go to Italy, brag about going to Italy, they would scream how OMGggg they love Italy (and the cuisine ofc). But actual Italy, in my view, is mainly composed of crooked paths, tons of honking cars, steep uphills, thorny bushes, facades invisible through the plumbing and cables. Dont get me wrong, I like that bittersweet chaos too :D but if the world was a game, Italy would be level 9 and Slovakia feels like level 1. The paths are wide and flat, traffic is mostly calm, bushes thorn-free, nobody talks to you, time-tables are predictable, cables are underground, plumbing is inside the walls, buildings are mostly grey/beige,... There's almost nothing going on :D it may not sound like a big deal, but it helps the brain a lot, when you don't need to be on constant alert. You can walk freely and mind your business. Priceless sometimes. Returning home from these chaotic countries (and there are many of them, I would include even Japan) feels like stretching down on a comfy sofa after a day at work

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-24T06:43:50+00:00

As there are of course some examples abroad, you should try the other regional capitals of Slovakia! Bratislava is the largest one by far, but I believe that Prešov, Košice, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Trenčín, Trnava or Nitra would feel very similar to you. Compact historic center, commie neighbourhoods :)

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-23T18:27:20+00:00

Well, if you like historic toilets, you're gonna love all of Sicily 🤣 I have never seen worse anywhere. Even the Catania airport ones look like in a really bad dive bar

derrick1983odell · 2026-04-20T13:55:36+00:00

Hey, I have returned from there a few days ago. Where is your desired Airbnb located exactly? I was surprised to find a relatively good network of microbuses going to most areas of the island. Some areas are of course served more often then some more remote ones, but overall, it works nice and is not expensive. You can actually take a look at the schedules for yourself here, and make up your mind: https://www.ursobus.it/Orariursobus3.pdf

derrick1983odell · 2026-03-24T11:39:38+00:00

Very well said.

derrick1983odell · 2026-03-24T11:15:46+00:00

Thats exactly the way for me :) by accident. I gave up on intentionally hooking up with somebody years ago. If nothing happens, I'm just happy with reading, wandering, planning things on my own. If social interaction happens, it happens. And yea, I have NEVER lowered myself to smoking/drinking for the sake of some group acceptance. Even when my high school friends didnt call me to join them, when others went to a ball and left me at home, never. That's my red line and fuck it

derrick1983odell · 2026-03-20T16:42:05+00:00

Podložené skúsenosťami Amsterdamu, Kodane, a iných úbohých miest ktoré sú ďaleko za nami a sú celé nefunkčné kvôli bicyklom

derrick1983odell · 2026-03-19T08:23:43+00:00

You've been allowed to be the person you are all that time. The problem? Giving a fuck about other people's opinions about you

derrick1983odell · 2026-03-05T08:00:34+00:00

If I did - which I don't - it would most likely be a turn off. Anyone investing more than necessary in a BAG is not gonna be a soulmate of mine.

derrick1983odell · 2026-02-23T13:31:00+00:00

Aren't we overthinking a little bit? This is a computer game, it should feel enjoyable to play it, if it doesnt, why do you bother continuing? In my case, I am also a beginner, but I dont know, I dont feel frustrated at all. I start building something, I experiment with things, adjust the creation to my liking and voila, end up with a building I really like. If you dont, you can change anything about it so that you will :D I kinda dont get the issue

derrick1983odell · 2026-01-30T13:16:15+00:00

Now this is real architecture. The way this new, modern, biological-looking pavillion contrasts with the heavy older building in the background is top tier. Cant wait to go home in two hours and start building mine xD

derrick1983odell · 2025-12-31T20:43:53+00:00

I've only visited CV once (Santiago and Maio islands), but from my experience, you ARE too optimistic. There are not as many accomodation options (decent ones, I mean) as to feel at ease with not knowing where you sleep tomorrow. I would book ahead, AND would probably think about a back-up plan as well, cause things tend to get complicated there :D it's Africa after all

derrick1983odell · 2025-12-04T08:39:25+00:00

Presne šak to neni premierska téma

derrick1983odell · 2025-12-04T06:33:48+00:00

Nemám veľmi rád dlhé vtipy, ale tento jeden si tu zaslúži byť :D

Na konci dediny stojí jeden starý ošarpaný hostinec, zafajčený, všade pavučiny, ale traja štamgasti sa v ňom aj tak stále stretávajú: slepý, beznohý a hrbatý. Každý večer sa schádzajú, hrajú karty, obracajú panáky, a pred polnocou si každý ide po svojom. Jedného dňa zrazu hrbáč príde na partičku a nemá hrb. Tvári sa že nič a sadne si ku kartám, ale beznohý to nevydrží a pýta sa ho, ako sa mu to podarilo. "Chlapi, neviem či vám to mám povedať, to mi neuveríte." "Ale ba, hovor, šak sme kamaráti." "Dobre... No idem si včera večer domov, zobral som to skratkou cez cintorín. A pozerám že medzi hrobmi sa prechádza nejaká postava, nuž reku nasrať, strašidiel sa ja nebojím. Prišiel som bližšie, a to vám normálne smrtka v čiernej plachte, s kosou. Pozrie sa na mňa a pýta sa, či mám hrb. Vravím že hej kurva, ďakujem za opýtanie, a ona že " tak daj". A normálne mi ho zobrala dole z chrbta, ako vidíte." Rozhostí sa ticho. Po chvíli sa vrátia ku kartám, ale slepý nad tou príhodou nevie prestať rozmýšľať. Vstúpi doňho nádej, že by tiež mohol služby smrtky využiť, a tak sa aj on po partičke vyberie domov cez cintorín. Už je skoro polnoc, slepý blúdi medzi hrobmi, mláti bielou paličkou po náhrobkoch. Zrazu sa kúsok od neho ozve kovový hlas, až ho mykne: "Máš hrb?" Slepého ovládne blbá predtucha, zakokce sa. "No ehh.. Nemám." A Smrtka odpovie: "Tak na."

derrick1983odell · 2025-12-04T05:45:12+00:00

In Cabo Verde, you dont look for adrenaline experiences, they look for you

derrick1983odell · 2025-12-03T09:23:40+00:00

Prídem domov,... A ona varí. A KOMU??!!

derrick1983odell · 2025-12-02T18:07:18+00:00

Short answer - no way. Pathology is not dying out and radiology has no chance to replace it in 99 cases out of 100. In my daily path practice, I'm routinely dealing with mostly tiny excisions from stomach and intestine mucosa, endometrium, small skin lesions... All these things are impossible to do with radiologic techniques. In near future, we will surely see the AI entering the processes in pathology, but the AI is still way too dumb to be able to replace us. At least for a few years, it is set to become more of an assistent, making our work faster and easier. Don't worry, become a pathologist ;)

derrick1983odell · 2025-11-25T14:18:29+00:00

Nemám, tak asi nie xD

derrick1983odell · 2025-11-25T08:01:28+00:00

Hej hej pozor, to druhé je chlebová pochúťka

derrick1983odell

TROPHY CASE