Go Alone. Get Lost. Eat.
When it comes to travel after COVID-19, there is a serious lack of optimism. Whether it’s from news outlets, travel bloggers, politicians, travel industry “experts” or friends, the doom and gloom is frustrating.
The overwhelming opinion is that travel is over. It’s never going to be the same. Limitations placed on travel will end travel and tourism as we know it. [Read more…] about Travel After COVID-19
Hostels attract all types of travelers. There is no single type of traveler that embodies the hostel guest. People travel for a wide variety of reasons, and hostels bring different people from around the world together in a single place.
Hostels are the best place to meet people abroad. Where else can total strangers become inseparable friends in a matter of minutes? It’s part of the hostel experience.
However, hostels all around the world also attract a surprising amount of unique and peculiar travelers. I’ve stayed at more hostels than I can count in dozens of countries, and I’ve noticed a few common characters. It begs to question what might actually be considered a “normal” traveler in a hostel.
In fact, this unusual concentration of all kinds of travelers is what makes hostels great. Here are 24 types of guests commonly encountered at hostels around the world:
The hostel party fiend. This traveler is present in almost every hostel. The hostel party animal sleeps all day and rages all night. They’re always looking for a good time. If fun is what you’re looking for, stick close to them. Just don’t expect to get much sightseeing done the next day.
“Did you bring a reusable bag? Where is your water filter?! Think about the turtles!”
There are always ultra-hardcore, tree-huggers in hostels. I mean, we’re all for clean air and cleaner beaches, right? Lighten up, greenies! Nevermind the fact that they flew on a jet to get their “eco-retreat” in Bali. And half of their gear is rife with oil-based products.
That’s the green warrior in a hostel. Everything is a cause. Always starting arguments. No, you’re not doing enough to save the planet. Yes, they’re better than you.
This type of hostel guest is exhausting. Just smile and drink your beer.
Seriously, sadly, why go thousands of miles across the world to do what you can do sitting on your ass from home?
Among many other things at home, I prefer playing music, working, watching sports and cooking over gaming. When I’m traveling, it’s a different story. I rarely go out of my way to watch anything on TV or stare at my computer.
Come on, gamers! Be present (or something like that).
The Champions of the Guidebook. These hostel guests have crazy schedules. They’re always trying to check off every famous landmark in the guidebook. If it’s on a “must-visit” list, the highlight hound will be there.
If there is a tourist attraction of remote significance within a hundred miles of the hostel, this traveler has it on the itinerary. However, they often have far too many plans to enjoy anything, and they rarely explore beyond the pages of “what to see in…”
So, are you on vacation, backpacking or what? Every hostel has this type of guest. The hostel workaholic is always in front of a computer.
These “digital nomads” as they like to call themselves keep odd hours to make their conference calls back home. They live on the road. Somehow, even though they’re always working at the hostel, they’ve already been everywhere and seen everything. It certainly beats a cubicle, though.
This is my favorite type of traveler in the hostel. Every hostel seems to have an old guy hanging around somewhere. He (or she) is laid back, cheerful and never in a hurry.
The old guy at the hostel is not impressed with where you’ve been or where you’re going, because they went there before it was cool, back in the day, which is somehow cooler. This hostel guest is my favorite person to befriend because they have the best stories and heaps of information.
The old guy in the hostel may actually be “the most interesting man in the world.”
Well. Here we are. The concupiscent (look it up, or figure it out) hostel guest travels with one goal in mind. This person hangs on the arm of every tank-topped dude or shamelessly flirts with every girl in sight.
The desperation of the thirsty hostel guest is an entertaining sight to see, constantly striking out but relentless in pursuit of company for the night. Everyone has a reason for traveling, and I wish these people the best of luck (in a private room, please).
Couples are, too often, the worst type of hostel guests. Too many couples in hostels never interact with anyone else. They’re stuck in a little bubble, oblivious to the world around them with no clue how annoying it is. Get a room, people.
I’ve traveled solo and as part of a couple. I understand the complexities of travel, especially backpacking, with another person. Thank God my girlfriend and I trust each other. And thankfully she’s cool and understands that we’re better traveling together on a shorter term.
Sadly, most of these long-term traveling couples have no idea the hell that awaits them. I’m not trying to be cynical, but traveling as a couple is a challenge. I’ve met far more travelers with sad stories than romantic tales.
If you decide to travel for an extended period of time with a significant other, I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Make sure to read these tips for couples traveling together before you screw it up. If you choose a hostel, try to be the fun, outgoing couple.
“The swells are sick, bro.”
Surfing. Nothing else matters. Pretty sure their skin is not all that’s been fried.
Oh my God. Please, stop playing Wonderwall!
There is always a guitar-toting traveler in the hostel. If they’re not packing a guitar, they’ll find one and play it. If only they could learn something other than Oasis or Coldplay, perhaps my ears would stop bleeding.
The homesick traveler is the type of hostel guest that can be quite a downer. They’re always on the phone, looking a bit forlorn, Skyping or FaceTiming someone back home. If they would just put the phone down, they might realize hostels are full of kind and interesting people.
Homesick travelers are probably experiencing solo travel for the first time and learning a lot of valuable life lessons about themselves. Try to talk to them, but temper your expectations.
Ah, the hostel foodie (looking at myself, here). The hostel foodie is the best kind of friend to make when traveling. You might eat some strange food, or you might discover something you never knew you loved. And you won’t go hungry after befriending this person.
Some travelers research hikes and famous attractions. The foodie researches the best local food and where to find it. If you’re lucky, the foodie also might be in search of all the beer, too. But don’t even think of digging into that delicious plate of food too soon. Of course, you have to wait to eat until the foodie gets all of the appropriate pictures.
Traveling nature junkies are almost as obnoxious as the green warriors. If this person does choose to visit a tourist attraction, you can be sure there is a physical challenge involved.
The outdoors-obsessed traveler is always, first and foremost, thinking about the next trek. To this person, travel is not about culture, food or seeing famous sites. It’s about hiking, climbing, trekking, diving, mountains and more. When (if) the ultra-outdoorsy traveler finally takes a break, there are no chairs involved. If they’re not sleeping on the hard ground looking as cool as the Man With No Name, they’re probably dangling in a hammock.
The traveling nature junkie is the type of hostel guest that is going to talk about their gear. You don’t have a choice, and you better believe they have the best, lightest and newest North Face tied around their waste. Even when there are no mountains in sight, these travelers probably pack hiking poles.
How do you have so many clothes? You’re traveling for months. Where in your backpack is their room for nine dresses?
Fashion forward travelers are a common type of hostel guest. These travelers are also puzzling. Their number one travel priority is to find something “like, super vintage and cute, but, like, totally exotic.”
My only question is – no, my main question – where the hell do you pack all of those outfits? I pack and wear a few shirts for weeks/months. Don’t worry. Everything is cleaned often, but fashion is not at the forefront of my travel brain. Yeah, I’m a large person, so, naturally, my clothes will take up more bag space.
I pride myself on packing as light as possible, but how can someone have so many clothes in one bag? Why? And then they go shopping for more. Someone should tell these fashion forward hostel guests that no one cares if they repeat outfits.
Remember, people: if you buy it, you have to carry it. Long-term travel and shopping is not a healthy relationship.
Let’s make this perfectly clear: You are not a model.
The Instagram “model” is the worst type of hostel guest. No, the worst type of traveler. Life for this poor, misguided clown revolves around social media. Desperate pleas for attention are the driving force behind their travels.
Every situation is a photoshoot for these wannabe “influencers.” Even in hostels, they’re constantly in ridiculous poses, snapping photos and making everyone else uncomfortable.
Can’t you just drink your coffee without subjecting us to this cringeworthy scene? Not every activity has to involve duck face and wind-blown hair, and everyone knows you’re not really gazing out into the world.
Okay, now seriously. Go look at a few of these idiots. Why do these faux models always look like they’re sniffing their shoulders? Please, stop.
Some hostels are so great that you never want to leave. And some hostel guests never do.
Every (decent) hostel seems to have a traveler or two that has been there a while, perhaps too long. This type of hostel guest is usually fun or entertaining but probably a bit of a space cadet. They’ve been to a few too many full moon parties.
The hostel guest who never leaves finds a vibe they like and sticks around for weeks or months longer than planned. They probably end up volunteering at the hostel to get a free bed and delay the inevitable – moving on.
Every hostel has a go-getter. This type of hostel guest is always out and about and, somehow, always around.
These future-CEO travelers stay up into the wee hours of the morning making the best of friends. Then, they wake up early, hike 10 miles, jump out of an airplane, see a few landmarks and take a cooking class before joining a group of people to watch the sunset.
If you want to feel lazy or guilty about not doing enough when you travel, find the go-getter. Like the Energizer bunny, they keep going and going and going…
Everyone loves and hates the travel guidebook – the person, not the actual book. This hostel guest is the type of person who knows everything about everything. When they travel, all of the research and history, where to go and what to eat – the stuff you forgot to do – it’s already bookmarked and planned in their head.
Need directions, suggestions or information about your destination? Forget Lonely Planet. This person is a living, breathing travel guide. Find the travel guidebook guest in your hostel. All of the answers, and a whole lot more than you asked for, are with this person.
Why does every damn hostel have to have this type of guest? The dirty backpacker is an all-too-common sight in the world of backpacking and hostels.
The dirty backpacker decides at some point that backpacking means personal hygiene is no longer important. They probably got some bad information from the green warrior and decided that skipping showers is better for the world.
The dirty backpacker is usually smelly and often shoeless and hairy. This person is a wannabe hippie that probably should have skipped Burning Man. Backpacking has opened their eyes and closed their bathroom kit.
Even though the dirty backpacker is an assault on the senses, this is usually a pretty happy, carefree traveler.
Why does this person even travel? It must be hell. Constantly freaking out that you’ve got Japanese encephalitis or dengue fever, even though it’s obviously nothing more than a hangover and a sunburn.
The hypochondriac is always visiting another pharmacy and complaining about inadequate local healthcare. Everyone is against them.
Meanwhile, someone that is actually sick is lying quietly in their bed, slowly shuffling to the bathroom and trying to keep their violent diarrhea as quiet as possible.
Every hostel has a few guests who speak of nothing other than past and future travels. The dreamer is fun to talk to at first, but their constant recollection of better places can be a bit much. Other times, though, hostel dreamers are inspiring and bring good ideas.
The best type of hostel dreamers are the funny ones. This person, with all of their crazy stories, will soon be the center of attention and have everyone roaring with laughter. Even though this type of hostel guest seems to be thinking about other destinations, you can be sure the current trip will soon be added to their repertoire of travel dreams.
Backpackers are stereotyped as being travelers with very little money. In general, this is not exactly accurate. That being said, every hostel seems to have one of these guests on premises.
For whatever reason, the poor backpacker is around. Maybe they’re a victim of identity theft. Perhaps they lost a bag or wallet. Once, I met a guy in a French hostel who had just been robbed and left without his phone, money or even a change of clothes.
Being the poor backpacker is stressful, frustrating and embarrassing. Usually, this type of hostel guest is trying to figure out how to get money wired halfway around the world. They serve as a reminder to always travel smart but that no one is immune to misfortune.
Be kind to the poor backpacker. Buy them a beer. Feeling stranded thousands of miles from home with no money is not an enviable position.
Every hostel seems to have a politician in the ranks. This is the type of hostel guest that drags every conversation back to politics. Every opportunity for a boisterous (often half-witted) political discussion is taken.
Political debate is healthy, and hostels are a great place for people from all over the world to exchange ideas and learn about myriad facets of other countries. Like all politicians, the hostel politician doesn’t know when to shut up. Any simple topic can be transformed into an all-out political melee. It gets old.
In a hostel, it’s best to arm yourself with one of two things: a steady supply of political information or a wonderful escape plan. I’ve gotten pretty good at changing the subject, ignoring the chatter or appearing apathetic. I’m not apolitical by any stretch, but I prefer to stick to the cultural differences like food and leave divisive political debate for another time.
At this point in the 21st century, we’re all addicted to screens. TVs, computers and, most of all, the screens in our hands have transformed from a convenience or brief escape into a crutch. As a society, we have a serious problem. Getting lost in the phone zone is something we do all the time.
Since my first hostel experience several years ago, the number of travelers glued to screens went from a lot of people to pretty much everyone all the time. Travelers in hostels are better at interacting with the people around them than people in most other places, but our phones remain a distraction.
The one type of hostel guest present in every hostel is the phone junkie. Sadly, almost everyone fits into this category, myself included. Kicking a dead horse here, but hostel experiences – for that matter, travel in general – will be a lot better if we stare at our phones less and connect with other travelers more.
These are a few of the various types of guests who frequent hostels. And that’s why I love hostels. They are places where the strangest combination of people come together, and, somehow, it works out tremendously well.
Hostels are certainly more than a place to party and sleep for cheap. I’m pretty sure a hostel would serve as a wonderful host of a case study on human behavior. I enjoy hostels for the affordability, the information exchanged, the friends I make and the entertaining characters who frequent these places.
Does one of these types of hostel guests describe you? I know I certainly, at least occasionally, fall into a few of these categories – see below, even the Hangry Backpacker has a little bit of Green Warrior. Let us know in the comments!
I’ve delayed writing anything about this damn coronavirus (COVID-19) because I’ve been hoping for the impossible. I’ve been hoping that something – anything – will change and life reverts to normal sooner than the media-driven hysteria predicts.
Like many others whose lives and work have been interrupted, mine has too. I have a trip planned for April. One month in Belarus. Well, I did. The last thing I’ve wanted to do was accept that this trip is not happening.
I’ve been planning this trip for several months. Since my first, all-too-brief visit to Eastern Europe a few years ago, this highly-anticipated return has been on my mind. Last Fall, I finally chose Belarus after I found an incredible deal – round trip for about $400 USD.
Belarus is off the normal tourist radar. I believe it will be wholly unique. And, as I’ve been studying Russian off and on for years, this is the best place that’s not Russia to test my skills and learn more.
Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing mayhem has canceled postponed my plans. I know, based on the odds and statistics, my age and health will likely render little to no side effects if I were to contract the virus. But I’m not that selfish. I’m not exactly keen on the idea of being responsible for (potentially) spreading the virus to more vulnerable groups of people.
Putting off my next project for a few months is a drop in the bucket compared to the horrors and nightmares so many people are dealing with right now. It’s frustrating, but I’ve got plenty of food, books, Netflix and toilet paper (for now) to occupy my time. And I live in Oregon, so I’ve got more great beer within reach than just about anyone else.
Fortunately, my flexible travel plans make the process a little easier. The only bookings I’ve made are flights, which can be changed. I’m not losing money on hostels or anything else. This is another instance where my flexible, spontaneous travel style proves sensible.
Yes, I do believe the media has made everything worse by driving people mad with fear. I can easily point to the toilet paper crisis as proof. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with y’all? A few people buying out the toilet paper has turned into a real problem because now everyone is buying it whenever they finally find a few rolls. It’s a vicious cycle of lunacy.
As an aside, the “bum gun” in Southeast Asia looks brilliant right about now. Little to no paper is needed with one of these. Though I snapped more more than 10,000 photos in Southeast Asia and have plenty of pics of interesting toilets, I can’t seem to find a photo of a bum gun. Check this Google image search to understand.
Despite the media stoking the flames of panic, while also throwing their hands up in the air and wondering why everyone is panicking, it is frustrating to see Gen Z flocking to Spring Break. People playing basketball in parks. Others still going to weddings. Sights like this are annoying. If I’m honest, these scenes also draw a bit of envy as I write from the Pacific Northwest, dreaming of sunshine and bundled in long sleeves, pants and wool socks.
If everyone would just listen and follow the guidelines/suggestions/rules as they are released, we can move past this sooner. And then we can get back to the beach, the bar and sports – my God, please, bring back sports as soon as possible!
In the meantime, what can we do?
Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell you to light some sage, find your inner-quarantined Thoreau or suggest some other self-help fluff. In fact, those who are incessantly complaining about working too much and being tired should make the most of this opportunity. Millions of us now have guilt-free excuses to let our inner couch potato shine like the sun.
Of course, you might hate yourself a little less in a few months if you make a few healthy decisions. Either way, take the time and chill. Think about what you claim you would be doing if the world was open, and start making real plans to finally do it.
To be honest, the time of the coronavirus is not a great time to be a travel blogger. For obvious reasons, there’s basically no traveling happening. And despite what memes might say, I can promise you, people are not very interested in planning or researching travel right now.
A greater-than 80% drop in traffic to the Hangry Backpacker is clear evidence. Revenues falling off a cliff in the last few weeks – seriously, nearly-100% drop in all Hangry Backpacker revenues – is the only proof I need that travel is not on the forefront of most minds right now. It’s understandable but still frustrating. It makes focusing on work right now – that is, writing about things that no one is thinking about – even more of a challenge for me, personally.
For most people (those not in the travel content business), I understand why the focus is elsewhere. Now is the time to figure out work arrangements, stay safe/clean, hoard toilet paper and all that. We’ll keep chugging along here and try to remain patient.
When binge-watching and “working from home” no longer satiate your boredom, think about what you’ll do when all this is over. Consider where you’ll go when the all-clear is given. Make some travel plans.
Don’t let all the scare tactics keep you from traveling forever. This whole ordeal is temporary. It will end.
Whether it’s going to a game in person, seeing your favorite band perform in a cool location or finally ticking off that elusive bucket list destination, think about those future travels.
When life gets back to normal, remember how annoyed we all are right now. When travel and the freedom to move about returns, take advantage of it. It doesn’t matter where or how far you go, make it happen.
Things like this pandemic are rare, but there is no guarantee when the next one will happen. I can’t wait to continue my travels. I’m still going to Belarus soon. And in the next 12-24 months, I’m going back to Southeast Asia. I’m also going back to Spain, and I will continue to work on my own bucket list (eyes on you, Mongolia).
Before you write off travel as prohibitively expensive, know that you don’t have to stay in the Marriott or the Four Seasons. Organized tours are easy, yes, but they are insanely overpriced. And guess what? London, Paris, Amsterdam and so on (and so on) are expensive cities. There are incredible places in Europe and beyond that are beautiful, fascinating, cheap and probably not so packed with crowds.
If you have questions on how to travel cheaper, send me an email. If I can’t help, I’ll send you to one of the countless travel bloggers that write about budget travel and money-saving travel tips.
Travel is possible. And now is a great time to consider where and how you might go when life (as we once knew it) resumes.
Here’s one example: I personally know people who spend more money on football tickets each year than I spent over 6 weeks in Spain, Portugal and Morocco last Fall. Including flights! I’m obsessed with college football. Too much, honestly. Geaux Tigers. Forever LSU. But I’ll take the experiences from that trip to Iberia and Morocco over a few games every time.
How about bars? If you’re spending hundreds of dollars a month drinking at bars, you can afford to travel.
Sorry, I’m not sorry, but if you’re dropping nearly a hundred bucks on new video games several times a year, I do not have the time to hear about how you cannot afford to go anywhere.
If those are your happy places, by all means, knock yourself out! Just don’t say that travel is not practical if you’re unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices.
The coronavirus situation sucks, but I’m still not convinced it’s the end of the world. In my opinion, current fatality rates (at least in the US), which are inflated due to the low number of tests being performed, do not compare to actual death tolls from other outbreaks with too many zeros and commas.
Maybe I’ll be eating my words in a few months, but I certainly hope I’m right. While it’s clearly nowhere near so deadly (yet) as the seasonal flu, TB or the measles (vaccinate, people!), this virus is something to take seriously. The number of deaths – about 23,000 at the time of this writing – is too high already. We need to follow what health professionals and government officials tell us.
My skepticism of the magnitude and statistics of the coronavirus pandemic is irrelevant. Perhaps I’m searching for optimism, but at least I’m staying home and following guidelines.
Right now is not the time to worry about the historical seriousness of this virus. And it’s not the time for leeches – excuse me, “politicians” – to point fingers or push funding for completely unrelated projects and programs in the name of “economic recovery.” The only way we can curtail the spread, get back to doing what we want and stabilize the economy is to follow the rules.
I was mad that my trip to Belarus is not going to happen on schedule, because some idiot served some bad bat in China. Then again, I like to eat strange foods, and I probably would have been the other idiot eating the bat soup.
All of that is irrelevant right now. We have to follow these annoying rules so we can get our lives back to normal as soon as possible. Whatever reason you need to find and follow the guidelines, find it and do it. I’m doing as instructed because I don’t want to be responsible for someone else getting sick, and, perhaps selfishly, I just want this whole ordeal to end. I’m hangry for new foods in new places.
In the meantime, seize this opportunity to plan for all the things you can’t do now. When this coronavirus chaos is all over, remember your current frustrations, and use that as fuel to finally do and see the things and places of your dreams.
In the weeks since I posted this, the numbers have increased dramatically. I’ve continued to follow the give-up-your-life, stay-at-home guidelines. There’s not much other choice in Oregon. Most businesses are closed.
However, my skepticism has significantly increased. I, like many others, have read a lot of stories about people who the government and mass media (both conservative and liberal media outlets) claim died from the Wuhan coronavirus. I’m referring to the headline-grabbers – a teenager here or a healthy 30-something there. Seeing headlines like this is unnerving. At first.
After doing some very light digging into local news reports on certain scary headlines, it seems these people died from other ailments. They tested positive for the virus, so officials counted these deaths as COVID-19 fatalities even though that is not what caused the death.
It goes something like this: A headline reads, “Teenager Dies from Coronavirus.” People panic. Fear spreads. But the true story is the teenager had a serious heart problem, terminal cancer, epilepsy or some other horrible health issue. Since they tested positive for COVID-19, that’s what officials say killed them. Another tally on the ‘rona board.
That’s a fictional example similar to the accounts I’ve read. The deaths are tragic, but it seems to me that they are coincidental and not due to the virus itself.
I’m not saying that most of the deaths reported from COVID-19 are lies, but I am saying that stretching the numbers is not beneficial to anyone. And the governors in the United States using misleading headlines to shut down society do not have society’s best interest at heart. It’s hard to trust officials when information is inconsistent at best.
Above all, I cannot trust any officials who ban fishing or close state parks and hiking trails. It’s fine for me to go to the grocery store in Oregon. I can even get on an airplane, fly across the country and interact with hundreds of people. But they’re closing hiking trails and campgrounds at state parks? This is nonsense.
I can buy liquor, but I can’t use a library or go to the DMV. Recreational marijuana dispensaries are “essential” business, but bookstores are closed. Nonsense.
I’m still following official guidelines for the most part. For now. That being said, I’ve lost all faith in local government in Oregon. It’s hard to trust people who are dictating our daily lives. And it’s hard to trust people who make such foolish decisions like closing nature in the name of social distancing. I, and many others, are growing impatient and skeptical.
Essaouira, Morocco is a popular getaway on the Atlantic coast of the North African nation. Most of the tourists who visit the beach town stay in one of the many large, expensive hotels right along the promenade.
Other tourists visiting Essaouira stay at one of the many smaller riads, family-run guesthouses, in the medina of the old city. As far as hostels in Essaouira go, there aren’t many great options.
But there is one hostel of note. And it’s one of the best hostels in which I have ever stayed. Out of the countless hostels where I’ve spent time, in dozens of countries, Essaouira Beach Hostel is easily among the top. Here’s why you should stay at Essaouira Beach Hostel in Morocco: [Read more…] about Essaouira Beach Hostel – Morocco’s Best
Visiting Seville Cathedral is one of the most popular activities for tourists in the city. The massive Cathedral of Seville is the most famous and recognizable site in Seville, Spain.
Along with the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, it stands as one of the most well-known churches in Spain. Officially known (in English) as Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, visiting Seville Cathedral is on a lot of tourist itineraries. Before going, read these tips to prepare and make the most of your visit: [Read more…] about Visiting Seville Cathedral
Safety and scams are among the primary concerns for travelers visiting Marrakech for the first time. The city of about a million people is one of the top destinations for foreign tourists traveling to Morocco.
Unfortunately for many of these visitors, Marrakech is also synonymous with scams and a concern for safety. But is that an accurate and fair analysis of travel to Marrakech? [Read more…] about Scams & Safety in Marrakech, Morocco
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