Backpackers of Yore

November 26, 2007 2:52 PM

Is Ötzi the first known backpacker? Also mentioned: Faxian and Xuanzang.
posted by sushiwiththejury (13 comments total)

Actually, Ötzi was more into rave music than hip-hop, but his taste in baggage allied him with the latter group and their indie rap accessories.
posted by mikeh at 3:07 PM on November 26, 2007

Ah -- Ötzi the Iceman and "Ötzi's Curse."
posted by ericb at 3:10 PM on November 26, 2007

Let's not forget Ibn Battuta.
posted by The White Hat at 3:11 PM on November 26, 2007

BTW -- Ötzi's website.
posted by ericb at 3:14 PM on November 26, 2007

The monks from Yuezhi who brought Buddhism to China obviously had Faxian and Xuanzang beat, though none are known by name before Lokaksema, AFAIK.
posted by Abiezer at 4:02 PM on November 26, 2007

And reading those entries, forgot the Parthians An Shigao and An Xuan.
posted by Abiezer at 4:05 PM on November 26, 2007

You know, it could've been a friendly-fire type of situation that Ötzi experienced, on the hunt or something.
posted by DenOfSizer at 6:11 PM on November 26, 2007

Tattoos, a leather jacket and a knife: was Ötzi the first known biker?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:12 PM on November 26, 2007

No way, totally a tourist.
posted by iamck at 7:56 PM on November 26, 2007

Is Ötzi the guy who was supposedly also the first known fudgepacker? How the hell did that get started?
posted by pracowity at 10:36 PM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

I'd never heard of Ötzi. Thank you for bringing him to my attention.
posted by kisch mokusch at 1:31 AM on November 27, 2007

I think I met him. We smoked weed and watched knock-off DVDs in Vietnam then swapped tips on the best places for banana pancakes in Laos. I can give you his gmail address.
posted by rhymer at 1:44 AM on November 27, 2007

The most recent news about Ötzi's demise.
posted by moonbiter at 2:36 AM on November 27, 2007