Portable Travel Electronics, Flashpacking and the New Rich

In researching portable travel electronics, I came across a post on Tim Ferriss's blog about traveling with 10 pounds or less, which in turn led me to a Wikipedia article on Flashpacking.

Flashpacking is a neologism used to refer to affluent backpacking. A flashpacker shares some of the characteristics of a backpacker: a sense of independence, no fixed itinerary and relatively long periods of travel to more exotic and far-flung destinations. Whereas backpacking is traditionally associated with budget travel and destinations that are relatively cheap, flashpacking has an association of more disposable income while traveling and has been defined simply as backpacking with a bigger budget.

A simple definition of the term Flashpacker can be thought of as backpacking with flash, or style. In another sense, the term defines a growing segment of travelers who adhere to a tight accommodation and meal budget, while spending freely for activities at their chosen destination. Some may define flashpacking as an incongruous mix of 'slumming it' and luxury; of adventurous travel with those on a budget by day and sedate dining and comfortable accommodation by night. Flashpackers have been further defined as tech-savvy adventurers who often prefer to travel with a cell phone, digital camera, iPod and a laptop, although none of these is required in order to be a flashpacker. As with other forms of travel, the term flashpacker is mainly one of self-identification. The origin of the term itself is obscure.

The term also reflects a growing demographic of travelers who are forsaking traditional organized travel, venturing to destinations once the reserve of more adventurous backpackers, and the increasing number of individuals who leave well paid jobs or take 'career breaks', using the time to travel independently, but with greater comfort and many of the gadgets they are accustomed to at home. As a result, hostels are evolving and offering more up-market accommodation to those still traveling on a budget in order to obtain their business. The hostels have realized a need to evolve in order to meet the changing demands of travelers[11]. It is likely that flashpacking and flashpackers will continue to evolve with changes in technology.

Though I currently lack the disposable income to be considered a true Flashpacker, I will be there soon.

The concept of the "New Rich", not the nouveaux riches, sounds like where I'd like to be at: traveling and living richly while not spending loads of money, remaining conscious and mobile and enjoying the world around.

I have spent years living a mobile lifestyle, and I am intrigued by others who do the same.