Updated: 4/8/2019 | Originally Posted: 07/29/2009 Note: So much has changed since I originally wrote this post 10 years ago (also, isn’t it crazy that I’ve been blogging for so long?) that I thought that this funny little article needed an update. The Flashpacker is long gone. The Digital Nomad has risen. Others have remained the same. I redid this entire post on the curious species that is the backpacker after having embedded myself in their culture and learned their curious ways. You always hear about the distinction between tourists and backpackers, but even among backpackers, we love to group each other into categories by who is the “better” traveler. Check into any hostel, and you will find a variety of travelers wearing their distinctive tribal gear and people going “Yeah, that guy over there? Definitely the partier.” So who are the backpackers? What kind of types have I identified in the hostel jungle? After years of research, many! Here are some of the more common species of backpackers that can be found in a hostel’s jungle: The Spiritual Traveler
Jaded by the materialism of their homeland, they have come to reconnect with the world, find inner peace, and learn some tantra among the tourist centers of India, the hill tribes of Asia, or the shamans of the world. Travelers spiritus forgo material possessions, except for a computer, which they use to blog about the healthy snacks they are eating and tell people how much freer they are now that they have been to six retreats in Bali and went on a juice cleanse. These backpackers are usually found in South America, India, and Southeast Asia. The Hippie
Hippie travelers use local transportation, eat local food, and talk about cultural imperialism while watching the latest Hollywood movies on their Macbook and begging for money to get to the next place. They usually avoid most tourist destinations because “they’re too commercial, man.” Mostly found in India or other developing countries (because they can’t afford anywhere else). The Gap Yearer
Gap-year travelers like to party a lot, see the main attractions, sleep in dorms, and tend to stick to the beaten path. They are out to have a good time, meet other travelers, and come home with a few good stories before they start their career. They can be found wherever a round-the-world ticket will take them. The Partier
Mostly found in “party destinations” like Amsterdam, Thailand, Barcelona, and Prague. The Couple
They are found worldwide. The Better Traveler
This species is found being hypocritical in hostels all over the world. The “Remember When” Backpacker
He’ll talk about how Ios used to be quiet and no one had heard of Queenstown. He’ll describe the time when he was the only person in Costa Rica or sailing the Amazon. When asked why he’s still here if he hates it so much, he’ll quickly change the topic. This depressing species can be found in the same destinations he says are ruined now. The Digital Nomad
Carrying laptops, cameras, video cameras, and iPads, they spend much of their time behind their computer touting their free lifestyle and/or recent startup while often never seeing much of the destination they are at. Their first question is always about the Wi-Fi. They are found behind their computer, talking into their phone, and wherever there is good internet access and a cheap cost of living. Life in a hostel on the backpacker trail sure is interesting. There is a lot of diversity out there in the hostel jungle! To further investigate the habits of these fabulously interesting creatures, I shall continue to travel the world and stay in hostels. Ya know, for science! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and TricksBook Your Flight Book Your Accommodation Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
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Jeffrey ClinardHi I am Jeffrey Clinard ,35 years old, By profession I am a photographer,I love to catch the beauty of Nature for this purpose I love to Explore the world. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |