LessWrong (30+ Karma) “You don’t know what you are made of till you’ve been stalked across three countries” by Shoshannah Tekofsky
Apr 8, 2026
Shoshannah Tekofsky, author of a narrated essay about a youthful, budgeted backpacking trip across Europe. She recounts impulsive no-plan travel, wild camping mishaps, singing to scare off bears, train-sleeping and tight budgets. The story follows a tense arc as someone begins stalking them across three countries, culminating in a final confrontation in Croatia.
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Impulsive Budget Backpacking Across Europe
- Shoshannah Tekofsky and a new friend impulsively bought an Interrail pass and set a 10-euro daily budget to backpack Europe for three weeks.
- They slept cheaply, hid cash in clothing, had no smartphones, and relied on chance and local hospitality for logistics.
First Time Hiking Turned Wildly Unprepared
- In Slovakia they picked a six-hour mountain route despite no hiking experience and a host warning about bears.
- They got lost on a ridge, reached an abandoned house and an outhouse full of flies, prompting a panicked run back down the trail.
Lost Hike, Wild Toileting And Rolling Down A Mountain
- After getting lost they ran out of food and faced toileting in the wild; Shoshannah rolled down the mountain when trying to stand from a squat.
- They navigated in the dark without flashlights, sang to avoid bears, and finally found a road to call a taxi.