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Backpacking in the Digital Age: Ethnographic Perspectives from Latin America

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Backpacking in the Digital Age: Ethnographic Perspectives from Latin America University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2013 Backpacking In The Digital Age: Ethnographic Perspectives From Latin America Russell Edwards University of Central Florida Part of the Anthropology Commons, and the Tourism and Travel Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Edwards, Russell, "Backpacking In The Digital Age: Ethnographic Perspectives From Latin America" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 2619. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2619 BACKPACKING IN THE DIGITAL AGE: ETHNOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVES FROM LATIN AMERICA by RUSSELL LEE EDWARDS, III B.A. University of Central Florida 2009 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2013 Major Professor: Ty Matejowsky © 2013 Russell L. Edwards, III ii ABSTRACT My thesis ethnographically examines the changing nature of backpacking for Westerners in Latin America amid a proliferation of mobile computing and social networking. While anthropological and sociocultural research on tourism is extensive, the social scientific literature on backpacking has, thus far, been largely unconcerned with Western Hemisphere countries and the effects of digital technology on this mode of travel. Recent findings suggest, however, that backpacking has currently moved beyond its niche roots as a subculture of independent traveling into a full-fledged tourist industry. My thesis investigates the Latin American backpacking scene to better understand if this is a global trend. The available literature further suggests that today’s backpackers are represented by various subgroups including older and less budget-constrained travelers known as “flashpackers.” Despite using the backpacker infrastructure, flashpackers’ disposable income and relatively expensive equipment places them somewhat beyond traditional backpacker categories. Drawing on ethnographic data collected over two separate multi-sited field sessions in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Colombia, I document the recent experiences of backpackers and flashpackers and evaluate how digital technologies inform and affect their travels. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 Thesis Overview .......................................................................................................................... 1 Why Backpacking? .................................................................................................................. 1 Research Considerations ............................................................................................................. 3 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 6 Attempts to Define Backpackers ............................................................................................. 7 Demographics ........................................................................................................................ 10 The Role of Technology ........................................................................................................ 12 CHAPTER TWO: METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................... 13 Materials and Methods .............................................................................................................. 13 Analysis Strategy....................................................................................................................... 14 Limitations and Implications ..................................................................................................... 15 Research Program Timeline ...................................................................................................... 16 Overview of Chapters................................................................................................................ 17 CHAPTER THREE: CASE STUDIES FROM “THE GRINGO TRAIL” ................................... 18 Craig and Sara ........................................................................................................................... 19 Frank.......................................................................................................................................... 37 Juan............................................................................................................................................ 45 Jack and Oliver .......................................................................................................................... 55 Alex ........................................................................................................................................... 67 Chapter Summary ...................................................................................................................... 81 CHAPTER FOUR: DISCUSSION ............................................................................................... 82 Classifications of Traveler Typologies ..................................................................................... 82 iv Backpacking as a Subculture ................................................................................................. 83 A Reimagining of Typologies Using an Anthropological Framework ................................. 85 Backpacker Enclaves along the “Gringo Trail” ........................................................................ 89 Consuming Local Culture ......................................................................................................... 98 Technology’s Influence on Backpacking ................................................................................ 103 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION............................................................................................. 108 Contributions to Anthropology ............................................................................................... 109 Broader Contributions ............................................................................................................. 110 Future Research ....................................................................................................................... 111 APPENDIX A: IRB APPROVAL LETTER .............................................................................. 113 APPENDIX B: SURVEY AND QUESTIONAIRRE ................................................................ 115 APPENDIX C: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR TRAVELERS ...................................................... 118 APPENDIX D: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR HOSTEL OWNERS ............................................ 122 APPENDIX E: PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE MATERIALS ............................................ 125 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 127 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map of Salento produced and provided by a local hostel ............................................. 92 Figure 2: Back of map (Figure 1) with information concerning restaurants listed ....................... 93 vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Thesis Overview My thesis is based on ethnographic research data I collected in multiple urban and rural sites in Latin America over two separate field seasons in 2011 and 2012. One week was spent in Nicaragua and Honduras respectively during summer 2011 and roughly nine weeks were spent in Colombia during fall 2012. Over subsequent pages, I detail the kinds of portable digital technologies backpackers increasingly utilize while abroad, and consider how this newfound reliance is helping or hindering backpackers’ travel goals. After reviewing relevant concepts and findings from sociocultural research on backpacking, I discuss general theoretical issues and present a hypothesis about intersections of technology and this mode of travel. By means of case studies drawn from interviewed and surveyed backpackers, I offer new findings about today’s backpacking community. The earlier framed hypothesis and related issues are revisited at the end of my thesis. Although mainly focused on travelers in Latin America, my thesis has important implications for those traveling in other parts of the world as well. Why Backpacking? As international travel becomes increasingly affordable to middle-class Westerners, many travelers are now able to experience the world’s diverse cultures, languages, and historical 1 attractions firsthand. While some prefer vacations at luxurious all-inclusive resorts, others are compelled to travel in a more frugal manner. These backpackers or budget travelers often forgo the amenities associated with lavish international vacations by seeking out very different travel experiences. Since the 1960s thousands of American and European
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