Backpacker Constitution 2007

Hereafter, the term backpacker refers to anyone traveling in a foreign country/countries for a minimum of 2 months or more. The abovementioned backpackers often, but not always, are in between jobs, taking an extended holiday from one, or have a new job lined up upon their return. The following are my suggestions for some laws that need to be established for the backpacking community.

I. Use of the word "do": When meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, bar, or other such venue, it is standard conversation starting protocol to ask where they have been, going from here, swap travel stories, etc. Unfortunately, most backpackers use the word "do" in regards to having been somewhere (e.g. I'm going to do Estonia next, I really want to do South America next, Have you done Croatia yet?). Travel destinations are not part of a universal backpackers task list, Mr. Around the World in 80 Days. At what point does one know when they have "done" a country? For example, I have been to Laos twice, but only to 2 cities and for about a week each time. Do i qualify for having "done" Laos?

II. Reservations: While recently discussing my plans with some Aussie blokes, I discovered that Krakow's hostels are completely booked for the upcoming month(s). Who knew that Krakow is the hot spot? For my first trip to Europe, Amsterdam was kind of the bomb (pun intended). The reason they are booked is that backpackers are now making reservations online for hostels. Come on, Mr. Freefloating Discover Myself While Writing My Memoirs in a Trendy Street Cafe, White Boy With Dreads. What happened to going where the wind blows you? I personally never reserve hotels. It IS different when traveling for a short time/with a family on a pre-planned vacation. But dude, if you're taking off work for like 3 months and will travel "until your money runs out" (another favorite saying) shouldn't your plan be a little more flexible? This attitude rarely bites me in the ass, but just last week I went from Liepajas, Latvia to Klaipeda, Lithuania, which is sort of big for Latvia but rather spread out so I couldn't find a hostel or suitable hotel. So I got on the next train to the capital Vilnius, and it's dope here. Chi, baby, chi.

III. Laptops: Bottom line, backpackers should not bring their laptops with them. Yes, I have seen it. If you have 2+ months to blow around the globe, then you surely don't need to be churning out projects for work or zapping your wifi (what the hell is wifi, anyway?) into the nearest connection.

IV. Eating: One of the best things, the only thing other than their price, about hostels is that lone travelers like myself can meet people and sometimes end up with new traveling companions (that's how I went to Morocco, my friend). Eating out with other folks is great when you're in another country. Down some local brews, scarf some grub and head to the bars after. And isn't eating out and trying the local food one of the best things about traveling? Many/Most backpackers staying in hostels eat all of their meals at the hostel: food bought from the supermarket and cooked in the common kitchen. Hey homie, I don't know about you but my cooking of genuine Lithuanian cuisine is a bit rusty. If you can't afford to eat the cheapest Lithuanian food at a restaurant at least say 3-4 nights a week (a cheap, decent meal, drinks included, will set you back a whole 8 bucks here), then you should really think about curtailing your trip now and heading back home, bro. That's cool, though, flying solo ain't that bad. But some company now and then is more fun.

peace out....