As a keen global explorer, there are few things in life that come close to the thrill of travelling. But, however much we rave about our favourite places to go trekking, pick up a street food feast and don a snorkel, I’d be lying if I told you it’s all blue skies and rainbows.
I’ve got 15 backpacker problems but not wanting to hit the road again aint one…
1. Realising that cover-up tee is right at the bottom of your rucksack. You’ve already spent an hour rolling everything up and cramming it in to perfection. Just why!
2. Having a tightly packed 24-hour bus journey with next to no sleep, the dorm bunk bed has never looked so good. But hold up there’s (what feels like) the world’s loudest snorer occupying that room too! I know they can’t help it but boy do we hate them.
3. Taking the road less travelled and opting for a restaurant with zero translations only to end up with an un-identified substance. Errrr is that pig tongue or…?
4. That sad realisation that travel guides aren’t the bible. What a guide described as a quaint, charming and tranquil guesthouse is actually just not your cup of tea (bed bugs and derelict? Quirky but I think I’ll pass)
5. ‘You can easily do that country in 2 weeks’ WRONG! The stress of going to a country and not experiencing every little essence of it.
6. Where are you from? Where are you going next? What’s the wifi password? Saying the same thing over and over can become tiring but just embrace it and have some fun. No one knows your name isn’t Lucifer from Bulgaria and you’re travelling South America in search of ancient artifacts.
7. Sleeping in hammocks… seems like a blissful, peaceful way to catch some zzz’s but don’t be fooled. If you’re a fidget prepare to scare yourself silly when you roll over and fall out the other side. Smooth.
8. The dreaded walk from transport drop-off to accommodation. What would normally be a 10 minute stroll is transformed into a test of endurance in sweltering heat, broken flip flops and your rucksack weighing you down.
9. We all have our off days. But sometimes hostel life makes us feel like we have to be sociable ALL of the time for fear of being seen as Mr/Mrs party-pooper.
10. Feeling smug with the aeroplane’s complimentary earplugs in the hostel dorm. Only to realise they barely work and nothing will keep the above bunk noise out.
11. Paying more than 4 meals worth just to get some clean socks and underwear.
12. Saying goodbyes suck. You finally found a travelling soulmate and future wanderlust BFF only to have to go and say adios a few weeks after.
13. What’s for dinner tonight? A 7 eleven toastie, pasta with sauce or hmmmm toast. Us travellers are pretty adventurous but when you’re on a budget the food can take a hit.
14. Drinking every day is really really hard. But it’s also really hard not to…
15. Loving being at home for a grand total of 3 days (give me all the attention). Then reality hits and you’re ready to hit the road again.
Nothing truly rewarding ever comes easy, so although there may be a few dramazzz along the way, uncovering the world and learning about new cultures is still well worth the possibility of bed bugs (maybe).
Got any of your own to add? Hit me up in the comments below.