While there is no definitive answer as to the precise origin of contemporary backpacking, its roots were no doubt formed (or at least in part) by the travelers making their way along the so called ‘Hippie Trail’ of the 1960s and 70s. The Hippie Trail followed sections of the old Silk Road, as people hitchhiked their way from Europe to India and Nepal, and onto the far east. After this era came the drifters of the 1980’s and 90’s, of whom aided with more affordable air travel, began to backpack their way to many obscure, and harder to reach destinations.This era has now given way or evolved into the modern day backpacker (or budget traveler), who comes in many forms, ‘The Digital Nomad’, ‘The Flashpacker’ and so on. Were the hippies of the 60’s and 70’s the original backpackers, or could one look further back in time for the answer?
Were the Hippies of the 60′s and 70′s The Original Backpackers?
Whilst researching another post for my ‘Dromomaniacs – Worlds Most Traveled Series’, I stumbled upon a traveler whom very few would have read about. The reasoning behind this statement, is because he lived in the 16th and 17th centuries. A man who was completely frustrated with his chosen profession of law, and decided to put his life on hold to travel the world. A decision not unlike those made by today’s modern backpacker, or independent budget traveler. The name of this individual was ‘Gemelli Careri’.
‘Could Gemelli Careri be the original backpacker?’ This is a question that has been put forward by a few others over the years. After a small amount of research I tend to agree with this line of thought, and believe that if Gemelli Careri wasn’t the first independent traveler (or backpacker), then he was most certainly the first person documented to travel akin to the modern day backpacker.
A sketch of Gemelli Careri
Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri was born in Taurianova Italy, in 1651. Between the years of 1693 and 1698, he completed a 5 year ‘around the world tour’ unlike any other of it’s kind, at this point in time. His journey started with visits to Constantinople, Egypt and also stopping in the Holy Land.
Even so many years ago, a voyage to these parts of the world was still not considered to be adventurous, or out of the ordinary. It wasn’t until Gemelli left the Middle East, that the Italian backpacker would then take the path less traveled, to the far away and mystical lands few had seen before him.
Heading first to Persia, before sailing on to Southern India and overland into China. It was during this segment of his travels that Gemelli Careri realized that he could finance his trip by carefully selecting and purchasing the right goods at each stage on route. These goods would then have an increased in value at his next destination, where he would on sell them for a handy profit.
He noted in his journal that whilst in Bandar-Abbas on the Persian Gulf, “the traveler should pick up dates, wine, spirits, and all the fruits of Persia, which one carries to India either dried or pickled in vinegar, on which one makes a good profit”.
Gemelli Careri Would Trade Goods on Route To Fund His Travels
It was this activity that highlighted the fact to me, that Gemelli Careri was unlke anyone other traveler of his time. He didn’t travel for profit (as most people who ventured from their homelands during this time did) or under the flag of a nation looking to extend it’s riches, but purely for the experience and adventure. He also documented his journey in great detail within his journal, from which he would write a book upon returning home.
A page from Gemelli Cerari's book 'Tour du Mondo'
Whilst in China Gemelli was granted a visit with the emperor in Beijing, attended the ‘lantern festival’ and toured the great wall. After leaving Macau, Gemelli sailed for the Philippines where he would wait for two months before boarding a Manila Galleon, heading for Acapulco Mexico. He documented this portion of his journey, as one of his most difficult. With large storms, bad food, and various epidemic outbreaks along the way. He also documented that this portion of his trip was also funded by trading quicksilver for a 300% profit.
After visiting several mining towns and the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan in Mexico, his five year around the world odyssey came to an end, and Gemelli headed back to Europe. For many years after his return, many European scholars and experts did not consider Gemelli Careri’s voyage as being authentic. Over time and many years after his death, the detailed descriptions of his writings were continually studied, and it was realized that they couldn’t have been obtained in any other way, other than experiencing the surroundings in person.
Was This Italian The Original Backpacker? – Maybe, Maybe Not?
Although his travels took place over three centuries ago, Gemelli’s reasoning for taking his round the world adventure, is not that uncommon from the circumstances of many backpackers today. Fed up with his profession of law, where he eventually decided to suspend his career for that elusive around the world trip.
The wonderful people of Google have scanned and digitized every single page of his book ‘Giro del Mondo‘ (written in italian of course – 1699). Gemelli Caseri was a true adventurer in every sense, and maybe, he just might be, ‘The Original Backpacker!”
