Kitting up so as to not scream "I'm a tourist"

[Peter_gent]

I'm about to go on another backpacking thing across Russia/Mongolia with a bit of luck and after my last experience touring around Latin America I quickly realized that urban bushcraft (read paranoia on not being not being stabbed for looking like you've stepped out of the outback) was incompatible with the more common form of bushcraft (looking in ones element, rucksack and all in the wilderness).

Since I'm going traveling again (and taking half the stuff I had, but investing perhaps in better cooking equipment and non-army surplus boots.) I thought I'd posit the problem of kitting up to go on such tours when you move from desert, to temperate or jungle and back again. Is it possible to be flexible through all three and perhaps invest in clothes/brands/rucksacks when you get there rather than buy all your stuff more expensively in the UK?

Although, I'd fear that meerly looking the part and not knowing the language might also end up in me looking like one of the police Sargents out of Allo' Allo'. But it does seem like a practical consideration beyond this is versatile to help me cope in the wilderness..

Answers in a postcard .

 

[filcon]

Peter well done young one, good luck on your travels and try and keep us posted. I met a young American last year who had trekked the globe and he reckoned Mongolia was his favourite, he said don,t go flash though. He also got wrestled by the head of the house after pulling his sleeves up to wash his hands, apparently rolling up the sleeves is a challenge for wrestling match. Good luck pal.

phil

 

[Peter_gent]

Peter well done young one, good luck on your travels and try and keep us posted. I met a young American last year who had trekked the globe and he reckoned Mongolia was his favourite, he said don,t go flash though. He also got wrestled by the head of the house after pulling his sleeves up to wash his hands, apparently rolling up the sleeves is a challenge for wrestling match. Good luck pal.

phil

What happens if you just wear a t-shirt then ?

 

[sandbender]

"...and perhaps invest in clothes/brands/rucksacks when you get there rather than buy all your stuff more expensively in the UK?...and not knowing the language..."

Don't overburden yourself with gear before traveling, buy your clothing locally, except for boots, buy the best pair you can and look for previous threads here for advice on choosing the best for you (this counts for rucksacks too).

There is no excuse for not knowing at least some of the languages you will encounter, ten to fifteen words and phrases at a minimum, folks appreciate that you are making the effort, even if they haven't a clue what you are saying.

Have fun, post photos and stories.

 

[Bigfoot]

Don't wear flashy kit, don't take an expensive watch or camera. The rougher you look (within reason ), the less you will attract attention.

 

[Tengu]

When my father went to Tunisia he was advised to dress like the locals.

(big brown robe, which sounds rather fetching, doesnt it?)

I have no idea if he did or didnt, but he didnt have any trouble

 

[TomBartlett]

I wouldn't worry too much about trying to dress like the locals since (I'm guessing you're white European) you're going to stand out anyway. Just don't dress like a rich tourist. Trousers/jeans and nicely worn-in shirt is pretty much standard attire in most places around the world. Just try to not have too much shiny new stuff.

 

[BOD]

Depends if its bush travel or town and road/rail travel.

Sandbender is spot on I think.

buy local for the externally worn stuff

 

[Nagual]

As others have said, buy local, and get local advice if possible. In some places wearing the wrong kind of clothes or colours may get you in serious bother.

 

[Spikey DaPikey]

Would also suggest that you bu some kit over there as well, like bags to carry/cover your rucksack etc. Also have a look at www.pocketcomms.com for the flashcards they do. Quite cheap and very usefull.

Dont know seller etc etc...