There are cities to choose that are better than others to start
your trip. There are cities that where you can reconnoiter, stock up, or fill up
with supplies cheap. These should be your base camps. Note carrying things like
tents, cushions, or heavy gear is sort on the silly side unless you are going to
a country where this type of gear is not possible to buy.
START YOUR TRIP or BASE CAMP - These are cheap
places to buy gear, supplies, plane tickets, and even more important they are
full of backpackers that can help you plan your trip in that area of the world.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Bangkok, Thailand
Manila, Philippines
EUROPE
London England - Earls Court Underground or Subway Stop or Tube
Riga, Latvia
Istanbul, Turkey
Frankfurt, Germany - Germany has very competitive prices for gear, and best
place for plane tickets in Europe.
INDIA
Kathmandu, Nepal (Best place to buy gear I have encountered in World.)
SOUTH AMERICA
Quito, Ecuador
Lima, Peru
Cuzco, Peru
Bogota, Colombia
CENTRAL AMERICA
Guatemala City, but then go to Antigua, Guatemala
San Jose, Costa Rica
AFRICA
? - Casablanca? I am not sure
MIDDLE EAST
Amman, Jordan
Cairo, Egypt
STOCKING UP OR SUPPLIES - A stocking up city will
normally have a "Locals" market that is cheap. You must avoid the tourist
centers. This is not the place to stock up. If you see lots of tourist you are
not in the correct place normally.
BASE CAMP - A place to stop and rest
FOOD
1. Large grocery that has the price on labels is walking distance from my hotel
and really less than 500 meter.
COMMUNICATION
2. Internet Cafes are on every corner.
SECURITY
3. Hotel allows me to put a padlock on the door. This makes me relax.
BUYING
4. I can buy most anything in the city.
TRANSPORTATION
5. Taxis are either all the same price or an honest meter system.
ALL the "Start your trip cities" plus
Ecuador, Otavalo
Mexico, Oaxaca
Mexico, Taxco,
Guatemala, Quezaltenango
USA - Walmart, K-Mart, Dollar General, Aldis
NOTES:
South America does not have many tent, but the room are so cheap
why would you camp.
Europe - A tent is good to have in Europe, but you have to walk so much in
Europe it is difficult.
Base Camp - Hobo Jungle - Stocking Up City - Staging the Trip
