Sunday e-mail 18th February

Stunning success at the newest, nicest newsletter; a bullet-list of brilliant backpacking beats

Welcome back again to your favourite bit of the internet! Devoted Crime & Psychology readers (is there any other kind?) will know that this has been an epically- encouraging few weeks for our nifty newsletter. The fascinating fanbase held interesting discussions that branched off along pleasantly unpredictable paths, certain kind souls have had captivating comments to make, there have been restacks, likes, and a generous sprinkling of shiny-new subscribers. Thank you for joining us!

Crime & Psychology may not be the biggest publication in Substack (not yet, anyway) but we all know it’s the coolest. Apart from yours, that is. Apart from yours.

Let’s not be selfish by keeping these marvels to ourselves! No, indeed. Please remember this newsletter to anyone who may find it as interesting, involving, and delightful as you do yourself. It is by your generosity that your halo will shine brightest. Besides, I’d consider it a birthday present.

That’s right, your eyes did not deceive you. It’s my birthday soon. To celebrate the auspicious event, I’ve lined up a newsletter for you of different contours from usual. Crime & Psychology both feature – of course, never fear! – but so too does an adventure from my own earliest backpacking days. That’s right, eager reader, we shall be visiting New York City, but not the New York City of today. Rather, we shall be casting our imaginations back to a time when the exchange-rate favoured a visitor from Europe, 42^nd Street was a bit of a surprise, and a regular chap on an ordinary wage could afford breakfast in Midtown (hard to envision these days, I know).

It's a side-step, yes, but a brief one and one I hope you’ll enjoy. I think you will. Either way, let me know your thoughts. I value your input, dear reader. It helps me as I strive to make Crime & Psychology even bigger, even better, and even brighter…

And because I breathed that word backpacking, and because I love it almost as much as I love Crime & Psychology, and because – just because – here, instead of our regular crime-focused bullet list – is a list to make you smile, perchance to dream. Here are my five top backpacking destinations. Just, you know, in case you’re thinking of strapping on a backpack yourself this year and joining the trail to adventure in who-knows-what far-flung favourite:

Photo by Harikumar Madhavan on Unsplash

·        Simla, India – The north of India is breathtaking (sometimes literally), dirty, smoggy, noisy, and unforgettable. Simla is a refuge, but at the same time it’s an eye-opener in itself. An ear-popper too – Simla is waaaay up! You can see the Himalayas from the footpaths and meet the most charming people on planet Earth. Stay a week, stay a month, stay forever, you’re going to love it.

·        New Orleans, USA – Not exactly a traditional destination for backpackers, but those who visit, never forget. I can say nothing that hasn’t been said before, except this: we were married in New Orleans, and for that reason it will always remain my favourite place. Have a hurricane and go to Preservation Hall. See?: you left your worries on the doorstep and didn’t even notice.

·        Kathmandu, Nepal – It doesn’t really matter what you do in Kathmandu. Know why?: you’re in Kathmandu, that’s why. Just the name by itself is a spoken spell of an impossibly exotic nature. Also, the middle of town is one of the most backpacker-friendly places ever – you can stock up on pancakes, Lonely Planet, and money belts all within five minutes of your hotel or hostel door. Oh, you can also charter a plane and fly over Mount Everest.

·        Liberdad Tambopata, Peru – This is great. You are right in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, so far away from anyone else, you even get a special stamp in your passport. You can rent a cottage and get woken up by howler monkeys. What’s keeping you?

Photo by Tobias Reich on Unsplash

·        Cape Town, South Africa – Cape Town belongs here because it’s barely a single backpacking destination at all. It’s more like a small country. Don’t turn up in Long Street – where the backpackers are - expecting to stay for four days, see the sights, and move on. You need a good four weeks, there’s so much to do. When finally you decide it’s time for safari, you can hire a car and drive the Garden Route to Abbo, where the elephants are.

Consider all these fine places for your next trip! And if ever you’d like to swap backpacking stories, gossip, or tips, I’m always open for that as well as our usual subject-matter.

That’s all for this update, Crime & Psychology fans! More from me next time. I’ll see you then! Meanwhile, don’t forget to bip one of the bumptious* buttons I’ve prudently provided below:

*’'irritatingly self-assertive’.