Posted: 07/22/19 | July 22nd, 2019
I’ve been backpacking for over ten years now. That’s a long time to travel period, let alone stay in dorm rooms, online out of the exact same backpack, as well as travel on the cheap.
But I truly like this type of travel, which is why I’ve continued to do it for so many years.
I enjoy hostels, satisfying people, light travel, the wild adventures, the younger vibe, as well as not having guides as well as tours hold my hand the whole way.
Plus, I honestly don’t see any type of requirement to spend great deals of money on resorts as well as elegant rooms. Why spend money on a hotel when I can spend that money on food as well as drinks instead? (Plus, if you discover to travel hack, you can just make points to stay at hotels for free!)
But, even though I enjoy my travel style, it doesn’t mean that I always like it. In fact, sometimes I really, really, truly dislike backpacking. Here’s why:
1. Dorm Rooms
Hostel dorm spaces are inexpensive as well as a fantastic method to satisfy people, since you are shoved into the exact same space with them. You don’t have a option however to get to understand each other. (Well, you don’t have to talk, however then it gets a bit awkward.)
But sometimes you don’t want to satisfy new people, get the top bunk, or have to offer with three snorers in a six-bed room. That’s when you truly begin to dislike hostels. I still utilize dorm spaces since they keep costs down, however I truly dislike exactly how frequently they get in the method of a great night’s sleep.
2. The exact same Conversation
Whenever you show up somewhere new, travelers ask the exact same five questions: Where are you from? Kam jdeš? Kde jsi byl? exactly how long are you traveling for? exactly how long are you here?
After ten years — heck, after ten days — it’s quite tiring having the exact same conversation over as well as over again. They are the default, fundamental concerns everybody (including me) asks. It becomes second nature.
However, these days I mix it as much as keep things interesting. When I get asked one of the five questions, I reply by asking their name as well as then something like what’s their favorite color or preferred book or least preferred location they have ever seen. It is far more fascinating than “what do you do back home?”
I get that these concerns shed a great deal of light on somebody while they travel, however every long-lasting traveler gets ill of them after a while. next time you’re in a dorm, try to ask different concerns to the people you meet. You may just discover something interesting!
3. The 5-Minute Friend
You satisfy fantastic people — and then tomorrow they are gone. perhaps you will see each other again, perhaps not. That’s one of the biggest downsides of travel.
It’s fantastic satisfying so many amazing people on the road, however I dislike exactly how everybody is always leaving, particularly just as you get to understand someone. It’s a snowball of sadness. I’ve satisfied countless amazing people on the road, as well as sure, in that moment as well as in that time, we had a blast. perhaps that was all that was meant to be. however it’s nice to have some consistency as well as have a buddy for more than five minutes.
4. The extreme Partying
In the backpacking world, it’s always someone’s very first or last night as well as therefore a reason to go out — which means there’s a great deal of drinking going on. (A LOT!) I’ve done my fair share of partying, as well as I’ll admit that it’s fantastic when you are just starting out. You are excited about the road, whatever is new, as well as it’s a great method to satisfy people. as well as there are tons of fantastic celebration destinations around the world!
But after a few months, it gets tiring as well as repetitive. You get weary of just drinking all the time, as though that is the only activity in the world. Can’t we just go do something else? Does alcohol always have to be involved? Let’s go play minigolf, see a movie, go bowling, or catch a concert. There are more to countries than their bars. Plus, all that drinking can truly eat into your travel budget!
5. The Cheapness
I comprehend that long-lasting travelers have a fixed budget. When I very first went overseas, I only had a restricted amount of money as well as it had to last a long, long time. That being said, did you truly come all the method to Spain to not have the paella? You flew to Japan as well as never when had sushi or anything more than inexpensive ramen noodles? Skipped skiing in the Alps since of the cost of a lift ticket?
Come on! You only online once. Do something more than a free guided tour, cook your own meals, as well as drink beer all day. It’s fantastic to be frugal, however there is a fine line between being economical as well as being cheap.
6. Know-It-All Backpackers
There is always somebody who has traveled morenež vy. even after a decade of backpacking the world, I understand people who have 12, 15, 20 years with nothing however a travel backpack on their shoulder.
However, what I dislike is when people interject into other people’s conversations or plans as well as begin to provide their viewpoint about where they should or shouldn’t go. Or they will begin to tell you the history of a location (and most likely get it wrong) to try to “educate” you on exactly how things truly are.
Don’t be a know-it-all. travel isn’t a competition. We’re all out right here living our life as well as enjoying it as much as possible. nobody likes a show-off.
7. The “Who’s a much better Traveler?” Hra
Too many travelers like to talk themselves up by discussing how long they have traveled for or exactly how many countries they have been to, as though traveling is a a race or a competition. “You’ve been to 20 countries?” “Ohh, well I’ve been to 37!”
Or you may hear, “You didn’t truly experience country X since you skipped activity Y.”
Comments like that make new travelers feel poor about their own experiences. Don’t be that person. It doesn’t matter what activities you have done or if you have been to 4, 19, or 150 countries — everyone’s journey is their own as well as all are equal.
8. The Herd Mentality
I wished to be a backpacker since they embodied a spirit of experience as well as discovery. They were out to see the world, find its hidden secrets, as well as satisfy new locals.
Turns out, that’s frequently not the case.
More frequently than not, backpackers today comply with the exact same well-laid travel path that thousands have tread before them. They just comply with the pack. Yes, prominent locations are prominent for a reason, as well as I would never, for example, suggest skipping Thailand, Paris, or Costa Rica just since there are other tourists there.
But come on, try to be a bit more curious! On your next trip, roam off somewhere random. get away from the crowd, even just once. You won’t regret it!
9. always Being “On”
Sometimes I just don’t want to talk to everyone. Sometimes, I just want to checked out my book as well as stay in, catching up on game of Thrones or whatever new show I’m in the mood to binge.
But then that makes me the antisocial guy in the hostel as well as people look at me differently. I dislike exactly how you always have to seem to be friendly as well as upbeat. people are social creatures, however it is likewise great to have some alone time to decompress as well as relax. always being “on” is just as well psychologically exhausting for me, particularly when you are asked the exact same concerns daily (see above!).
10. Goodbyes
I have stated more goodbyes in the last ten years than any type of human should ever have to. as well as in spite of the modifications in innovation as well as social media, you understand the emails will slowly fade away in spite of the very best of intentions. Life moves on as well as people go their separate ways.
Sure, you will have that fantastic moment in time together, however the more you travel, the more you recognize the difficult reality that you may never see that person again. as well as the more you dislike having to state goodbye.
11. The quick charming Relationships
You satisfy people, you leave people. It’s a unfortunate cycle that means that just when you truly begin to like someone, you split up. It makes having a long-lasting dedicated connection on the road truly hard. You are together while you are on the road, however then people go left while you go right. as well as then, as quickly as it began, it is over.
It’s difficult to always have to begin as well as stop feelings. as well as often, since you never truly “break up,” you never get any type of genuine closure. The road becomes a series of short connections — as well as that can get tiring.
12. backpack Flags
You can state it is a method to keep in mind where you have gone, however what it truly does is let people understand exactly how incredible you are for having been to so many places. It’s all part of the “who’s the more experienced traveler” one-upsmanship that occurs in hostels.
And it annoys me.
Mnoho.
You have photos, memories, as well as passport stamps to keep in mind where you have been. I question your bag truly cares. Let’s phone call a spade a spade: stitching flags from every country you have been to is just a method to show the world that you are well traveled.
Now, I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. I get that you want some mementos as well as that you’re proud of your travels. however this is one of those things that just irks me.
13. filthy Kitchens
Despite all the indications that tell people to clean up their mess, they never do. Proč? since it’s not their kitchen area as well as they are leaving soon. somebody else will do it, so it’s not their problem.
I truly dislike hostel kitchens for this reason, as well as it’s why Iprevent the kitchen area if it’s hectic or messy. I didn’t travel around the world to clean up your mess. Udělej si sám! What are you, nine years old? Your mom is not right here to clean up after you, as well as it’s inconsiderate leaving a filthy kitchen area for the next person.
14. missing the Gym
I like to work out. traveling makes me unhealthy as well as out of shape as well as I don’t like it. It’s difficult to keep a healthy way of life on the road, as well as I desire I had the possibility to go to the fitness center as well as work out more often.
(Maybe hostels will begin having gyms, like hotels!)
15. Sex in Dorm Rooms
In situation there was any type of doubt, I do not want to hear you having sex. Vůbec.
Go get a personal room. We don’t believe her moans of pleasure, as well as we don’t want to see your white ass. For the cost of two dorm beds, you can get a personal space in almost any type of hostel in the world. as well as if it does expense more, it isn’t that much. get some privacy, have much better sex, as well as let everybody else sleep. Prosím.
***
Of course, I don’t truly dislike backpacking. most days, I like this style of travel as well as I like backpacking. It’s fun and social, as well as you get to satisfy amazing people.
But sometimes, the bit things just grind your gears, which is most frequently when people are rude as well as inconsiderate. Backpacking is a fantastic lifestyle, as well as like any type of lifestyle, it has its ups as well as downs. I’m just lucky it has more ups than downs!
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