The backpack is ready, I'm not
THE BLOG OF
Marco Lovisolo

"Ovviamente tra i miei interessi ci sono i viaggi. Quando uso il termine “viaggio” intendo dire che metto tre cose in uno zaino, il biglietto aereo in tasca e parto" THE BACKPACK IS READY, I'M NOT is the blog where Marco tells us about all his interests

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OF ECOLOGICAL TRAVELERS

YOU HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK AND A CHAPTER » ABOUT GUATEMALA, THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF EASY TRAVEL HOSTING. WHAT DID YOU LOVE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY?

YES, I wrote a travel book entitled “The backpack is ready, I'm not” and in the second chapter I talked about my trip to Guatemala. I found a country with many problems, but, at the same time, endowed with a contagious energy. Above all, I found a people with a huge heart, willing to help me, to meet me, to smile.

I ate at strangers' homes, I spent evenings discussing politics with bizarre characters, I lazed around for a long time in Panajachel while admiring Lake Atitlan, I wandered around Tikal with my mouth open, I played football with some kids in a town square.

I loved everything about Guatemala.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ALCOHOLIC MISADVENTURE IN LAOS?

Thinking about it now, I call myself an idiot, because the thing could have ended much worse.
I was in Luang Prabang, northern Laos, and I was wandering around aimlessly. I pass by a park and see that there is a big party going on. I get closer to get a better look and am stopped by a guy, not very sober, who explains to me what it's about: a wedding. Then, without giving me time to respond, he takes out a bottle and two glasses from behind his back, fills them and offers me one. He sees me as doubtful, so he drinks first and then invites me to imitate him. To avoid offending him, I also drank it and immediately regretted it: it was a terrible concoction, with a very high alcohol content.
The guy insists and I drink a couple more drinks, until I decide it's time to leave. My guest doesn't give up and continues to insist.

At the end there is this comical scene, with yours truly running, chased by a drunk screaming with a bottle in his hand. “One more glass, one more glass!”
In the end I managed to lose him and return to the hotel.
Today I realize that I was lucky because that poor devil was just looking for someone to have a chat with, but there are really a lot of bad guys out there. So I recommend: NEVER do it!
You can also find this episode in the book, along with many others.

DO BLUES AND TRAVEL HAVE A CONNECTION FOR YOU?

You're asking me this question because you've read that I'm a fan of the genre!
Well, yes, I think there is a connection.

The original blues was the musical genre sung by African American slaves on the plantations of the southern United States. Its structure, the harmony that characterizes it, are clearly of African origin.
It may bother some, but practically all human existence originates in Africa. Africa is the alpha, the zero point, the root of everything. This explains the famous Africa sickness: It is the perception, perhaps unconscious, of having returned home.

The blues refers to that dark moment of our origins, awakens atavistic instincts. You may not like it, but if you stand there for five minutes with the blues playing in the background, sooner or later you'll start keeping time with your foot. It is a journey through time, to rediscover our starting point.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAKE YOUR LIFE GREENER?

I am firmly convinced that small steps, if taken by everyone, are the most effective. When I travel I try to influence the environment and culture that hosts me as little as possible.
For example, I never print plane tickets or boarding passes. Nowadays, any airline provides apps with which you can check in, book seats and obtain all the necessary documentation.
I usually keep everything on the apps and send backup copies to my two email addresses and that of my wife: with two phones and four computer media, it is impossible not to always have the necessary documents at hand.
Of course, the plane is a controversial means of transport, but according to recent studies it seems that it accounts for around 2% of the greenhouse gases produced on earth.
Other means of transport are much more harmful and here comes the second point.
When traveling I try, as much as possible, to move in a manner “clean”. If I'm in a city, I use the subway for long trips and bike sharing (or walking) for short ones. For transfers from one place to another I try to use trains and only in the absence of alternatives local petrol vehicles.
Then there are a series of good habits that I bring with me from home. One thing I believe in a lot is the elimination or drastic reduction of single-use plastic.
To drink, I carry a thermal water bottle with me, for personal hygiene I use the classic Marseille soap, I don't buy packaged take-away food and, above all, I take great care to separate my waste.

I only eat local food, I don't take anything from its natural habitat (sand, flowers), I buy souvenirs from local artisans.
Nothing heroic, as you can see, but just a lot of respect and practicality
MarcoLovisolo
Kenya

Easy Travel Hosting thanks Marco so much for taking us on a journey through his beautiful colours.

If you want to find out more about his project, you can follow him on his website by clicking here.

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