The meaning of words often change; for example, not too long ago “gay” meant something far more innocuous than it does today.
A Vagabond is a direct synonym for “tramp”, “hobo”; “vagrant” and even “bum”. In more gentle terms it can also refer to a “rover” or wanderer”.
It is in the second context that the word has been used to describe an alternative lifestyle. “Vagabonding” refers to long-term travelers; people who spend literally years on the road.
They differ enormously from your average backpacker who often travels to “do” Europe or Asia or Africa almost as a rite of passage.
Vagabonds live in foreign lands working their way from place to place. And, more often than not, don’t really know where the journey will carry them next.
In the words of Mark Twain they are the few who dare to, “Cast off the bowlines; sail away from safe harbour; catch the tradewinds in their sails; to explore, dream and discover.”
They live life in foreign lands and cultures far beyond the nightclubs, bars and beaches. It is a lifestyle not for the timid or those who lack a sense of adventure but the reward can be lessons in life that will guide them in their daily struggles all their lives.
As for the majority of young travelers, they will come away with a few photos of parties holding beer bottles or pictures in front of recognizable landmarks and travel only as long as their money lasts.
A Vagabond will work any menial job to finance his further adventures and even teach English – a language with which he/she often has limited facility even though it is his/her mother tongue.
Given a choice, I’ll take Vagabonding any day!
A neat fiction book to read is “The Vagabond” by Colette. The main character is a bohemian who mimes and dances in a Paris theater. Another good book, which was inspired by “The Vagabond”, is “Persian Nights” by Diane Johnson.