Who Goes Backpacking: 5 People You'll Meet in Asia
Not everyone has gone backpacking, but many people have a certain vision of what a backpacker may look like. Typically, a young guy heaving a giant backpack over his shoulder while wearing baggy clothing and boasting a general look of dishevelment comes to mind.
Maybe that was the vibe in the early days - but this vision is incredibly misguided in today’s high-variety world of budget backpacking. So, who can you expect to meet? Here’s the rundown.
The 24/7 Partier
Let’s address this first - SE Asia definitely draws a certain crowd, specifically in the islands of Thailand - full moon party didn’t become infamous for no reason. Now, this type of person is not to be looked down upon - they just take the typical vacationers’ goal of relaxation to a whole new level. They go out every evening, are constantly making new friends, and have lofty aspirations for tomorrow’s schedule but never quite makes it. They’re found in party hostels and places that include a free breakfast that they will probably miss. Despite the air of chaos, they return from their trip with crazy stories alongside pictures from all the classic tourist spots. They may have been hungover when they finally made it there, but they did manage to visit the elephants and see some temples.
The Culture Fiend
This bunch is harder to find, but they do exist and are usually the most interesting conversationalists. They put trips to museums and religious sites at the forefront of their itinerary while mixing with fellow travelers and attending to the city’s nightlife is on the back-burner. You can spot them in quiet hostels or carrying a book about the country they’re visiting. Get these guys talking - because they typically have some off-the-beaten-path destinations that may be worth your time. Ever lived in an Ashram? Neither have I. But I definitely wanted to after hearing someone’s personal experience with it.
The Glamping Kings and Queens
What does a balling out backpacker look like? Maybe someone who spends on a private room (around $20USD a day, compared to a shared room for $8 to $10USD), or someone who detests local food and is always eating western meals (not expensive by US standards but significantly more than the street food price), or even someone who deplores bus transport and is always shooting from one destination to the next via plane. We love these people and have no real qualms with how they choose to spend their money. But we do poke fun at them on a daily basis for avoiding the real backpacking experience of shared bathrooms and night buses.
The Budding Influencer
This person is easy to spot because they carry nicer clothing, is constantly asking you to “try a new angle” as they look for their perfect photo, and most definitely carry a DSLR in their limited pack space. Hanging out with them will mean plenty of time getting good photos, but you’ll also walk away from the experience with some influencer-status shots of your own. Bonus - their infinite amount of time on social media provides them with a wealth of knowledge. They plan amazing schedules and love sharing what they’ve learned.
The Broke of the Broke
Most people backpacking are willing to forgo some basic comforts in order to squeeze every bit of time they can out of their long-term travel. We eat local food, hardly buy any clothes and stop wearing sunscreen when we see how expensive it is (bad behavior… but true.) That being said, there is always an extremist in the group - someone who has barely enough money in the bank account to fly home yet is still traveling three months later. You’re inspired by their thrifty ways but also slightly concerned because they tend to skip out on meals as a means to save. They wash their clothes in the sink, never buy water from a store, and will avoid going to the doctor as they limp from a motorbike accident that occurred two weeks ago.
These are some of the themes I saw while spending a year in Asia - but the biggest takeaway is that SO many people are drawn to backpacking. It’s not just for the recent graduates or people who want to go off the grid. It’s intelligent and curious people who seek to have a perspective or memories that may not be the norm. And what’s beautiful about backpacking is this mindset can be found anywhere - from girls and boys who are fresh out of school to men and women who wanted more than a corporate job. It’s every gender, every nationality, and every age. And it’s these people that brought about my strongest memories of living in Asia.