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Frustrations about the backpacker scene



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 22nd, 2004, 07:32 AM
Hallvard Tangeraas
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

Being in my mid 30s and travelling around the world on a budget I
can't help to feel very old and "different" from the usual backpacker
crowd.

Just about everybody staying at these hostels are in their early 20s,
fresh out of school, and it's really all about partying, getting drunk
and going on organized package tours. Not my kind of thing any of that
-am I the only one feeling/being "different"?
I'd like to get some sleep during the night so I can get up in the
morning and get the most out of each day, but with all the partying
that's pretty hard. Banging doors, turning on the lights, talking
loud, raving around drunk and acting like idiots in the middle of the
night when staying in a dorm....
A complete circus if you ask me!


I thought backpacking was all about exploring and travelling -being a
"traveller" as opposed to "tourist" where everything is risk free and
pre-planned. Isn't that what an adventure is about? Taking chances,
plunging into the unknown, doing different things from back home?
Well, it is to me anyway, and so far I've travelled for almost 3
months through Asia (Hong Kong, Beijing, Thailand, Malaysia,
Singapore) and now currently on the east coast of Australia.


I get these package tour deals shoved in my face wherever I go, and
it's very hard to do something different as there's just so little
information available for anything else. (hehe... that's what's good
about newsgroups where you can get tips from people having been here
before!).


Anyone sharing my frustrations/experience?
Are there alternatives around for the more serious traveller who's NOT
willing to pay hotel prices?


Hallvard
  #2  
Old January 22nd, 2004, 09:36 AM
Miguel Cruz
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
I thought backpacking was all about exploring and travelling -being a
"traveller" as opposed to "tourist" where everything is risk free and
pre-planned. Isn't that what an adventure is about? Taking chances,
plunging into the unknown, doing different things from back home? Well, it
is to me anyway, and so far I've travelled for almost 3 months through
Asia (Hong Kong, Beijing, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore) and now currently
on the east coast of Australia.

Anyone sharing my frustrations/experience?
Are there alternatives around for the more serious traveller who's NOT
willing to pay hotel prices?


In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/
  #4  
Old January 23rd, 2004, 01:00 AM
Tim Kroesen
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

I'm in my late Forties and am about to book some hostels myself for the
first time...

I think the *key* to avoiding the Animal Houses might be:

A: No Bar onsite.
B: A strict and enforced curfew.

Tim K

"Hallvard Tangeraas" wrote in message
om...
Being in my mid 30s and travelling around the world on a budget I
can't help to feel very old and "different" from the usual backpacker
crowd.

Just about everybody staying at these hostels are in their early 20s,
fresh out of school, and it's really all about partying, getting drunk
and going on organized package tours. Not my kind of thing any of that
-am I the only one feeling/being "different"?
I'd like to get some sleep during the night so I can get up in the
morning and get the most out of each day, but with all the partying
that's pretty hard. Banging doors, turning on the lights, talking
loud, raving around drunk and acting like idiots in the middle of the
night when staying in a dorm....
A complete circus if you ask me!



  #5  
Old January 23rd, 2004, 09:16 AM
Miguel Cruz
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Posts: n/a
Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep,
but did I get any? Hardly.
Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped
wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep.
Mature young adults? haha!!!


Depends on the town, neighborhood, and hostel you're in. Usually there's
somewhere with a slightly older/quieter crowd around. Look for vegetarian
menus, prices a couple $$ more than the rest, and so on.

And is there such a thing as a backpacker over age 25? I haven't come
across any so far.


I'm one, and I know plenty of others. Are you going to New Zealand? I met a
comparatively high number there, including some retired folk.

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/
  #7  
Old January 24th, 2004, 09:39 AM
Michael Christoffersen
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene


"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

Hi Miguel,

Yep, stayed at a dorm in both bkk and Hat Yai.
Not because I wanted to but there were no other rooms available.

cheers
Michael Christoffersen


  #8  
Old January 24th, 2004, 10:41 AM
Kris
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

no rooms available in BKK???

Kris


On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 09:39:05 +0100, "Michael Christoffersen"
wrote:


"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

Hi Miguel,

Yep, stayed at a dorm in both bkk and Hat Yai.
Not because I wanted to but there were no other rooms available.

cheers
Michael Christoffersen


  #10  
Old January 24th, 2004, 02:11 PM
Loz H
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

In article , you say...
Being in my mid 30s and travelling around the world on a budget I
can't help to feel very old and "different" from the usual backpacker
crowd.


When you become old (30 in backpacker terms) your best option is to head
for smaller, less party orientated, hostels. Our hostel in the UK
Bournemouth Backpackers (www.bournemouthbackpackers.co.uk) is one
example: by having a few rules, e.g. no drinking after 23:00, we seem to
be able to keep both groups happy. There are other smaller, cosy,
places where alcohol consumption is not compulsary - but you will have to
do some research first.

After a number of years both travelling and managing the hostel, I've
noted that if you arrive in a hostel and are 30+ you often have to prove
that you are not a weirdo; the opposite applies under 30 - it's sad but
true. It's a bit easier for women. I have on several occassions had
youngsters say to me "don't put that old **** in my dorm...". You are
often guilty until proven innocent and assumed to be either a killjoy,
ors ome kind of sexual predator. Your best option is to be yourself,
try not to complain too much and don't be over friendly.

We've had people in their 60's who are the life and soul of the place;
but we've also had some pretty miserable 20 year olds
 




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