Am I Still A Backpacker

Am I Still A Backpacker

Posted on 22. Oct, 2012 by in General

Recently more and more of my friends have been finding out I’m a backpacker and I do this blog. At the same time I appear to be slipping away from the backpacker life more and more each day.

Now that I’m in the “saving enough money to do an epic trip” phase I’m finding I don’t have much to write about. The reviews of new places I’ve been have been replaced with reviews of activities I’m doing here in the UK or new things that I’ve bought that ‘will almost certainly help me when I travel… so I must buy it’.

Not only am I failing in the adventurous side of things at the moment I appear to be losing that adventurous spark I once had. A few years ago I loved the thought of turning up to a random place, finding anywhere that had a bed (or a sofa large enough for me) and calling that my home for the next week or so. Right now if somebody asks me to go away with them the first thing I do is log on to the internet and search for a hotel to stay in… 3 or 4 stars tends to be the minimum I look for.

As I’m clicking that little box next to the 4 star rating I think to myself “When did you turn in to such a snob?” but that thought is quickly replaced by “Oh my god you get free use of the spa!”  I don’t know exactly when I turned in to this luxury whore but I think it may have been when I managed to get an awesome late deal staying at the Hilton earlier this year. In my defense I did take a backpack to the Hilton. The look on the faces of some of the people staying there as I rolled up with a backpack in semi-scruffy clothes from travelling was priceless. I was half expecting some of them to throw change at me thinking I was homeless.

As a challenge to myself I’ve planned a few mini trips next year where I’ll be staying in hostels once again in places that I’ve never been. I’ll be going solo as well as taking along a few of my friends. I’m determined to gain the backpacker title once again… if anything this stint as a flashpacker has helped me renew my love for the travel world… excited? Yeah mate! Keep watching this space…

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8 Responses to “Am I Still A Backpacker”

  1. Gregory

    23. Oct, 2012

    I am 49 and currently staying a week-and-a-half at a hostel in Austin, Texas. This is a dry ruin for five weeks soon in SE Asia. Thankfully, I find the hostel situation quite agreeable as everyone is friendly and respectful. And the place enforces a 10 hour evening quiet policy.

    The thing I get at hostels that I miss at places charging 3 – 15 times more is the ease of me meeting wonderful, like-minded, independent souls.

    Reply to this comment

    • Dan Collins

      30. Oct, 2012

      Don’t get me wrong I enjoy staying in hostels and meeting new people… but when you go to a hostel and people are arguing at all hours in the morning… or the guy in the next bed doesn’t wash… or your things get stolen while you sleep… or the showers stop working etc. etc. It wears thing easy for me!

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  2. Ed Rex

    24. Oct, 2012

    So you certainly did turn into a hotel snob when we were discussing where to go!
    Ed Rex recently posted..Kiwi Experience Day 16 – Fergburger to ChristChurch

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  3. Peter Lee

    25. Oct, 2012

    I always believe if you want to experience the adventure of traveling then we need to give up luxury. It is better to stay in hostels and meet locals. If we live in 4 or 5 star hotel then we cannot experience the joy of travel with locals and experience their culture.

    Reply to this comment

  4. Oceana | Barefoot Beach Blonde

    30. Oct, 2012

    I don’t think I’m suited to a flashpacker life, but then I haven’t travelled long-term before so I suppose sleeping in hostels and couch-surfing can take their toll! But regardless of where you stay I think if you want to call yourself a backpacker, that’s what you are.
    Good luck with your adventurous spark! :)
    Oceana | Barefoot Beach Blonde recently posted..Hostel Review: Cool Bananas Backpackers

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  5. Backpacker Dingo

    24. Nov, 2012

    Same as what everyone else says Danny boy. Once you’re one of us you’re always one of us!

    Reply to this comment

  6. Salsa Deroche

    26. Nov, 2012

    Once a backpacker always a backpacker! Keep at it Danny boy! x

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