Comments on: The Problem with the Backpacker’s Circuit http://bohemiantraveler.com/2010/05/the-problem-with-the-backpackers-circuit/ travel more. experience more. live more. Sat, 12 May 2012 20:43:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Steve http://bohemiantraveler.com/2010/05/the-problem-with-the-backpackers-circuit/comment-page-1/#comment-65 Steve Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:44:44 +0000 http://bohemiantraveler.com/?p=61#comment-65 I was traveling through Southeast Asia in Khao San Road and I talked to several other backpackers there. From what they said, it didn't seem like they were planning on leaving there. You're not going to meet locals there. I think it is a great place to stay at for a night or two, but you need to get out there. One of my favorite memories of that trip was in Viet Nam. A storm hit and I took refuge in a nearby restaurant where no backpackers probably have ever entered before. I met everyone there including the nice couple who owned the place. It was a great experience. I was traveling through Southeast Asia in Khao San Road and I talked to several other backpackers there. From what they said, it didn’t seem like they were planning on leaving there. You’re not going to meet locals there. I think it is a great place to stay at for a night or two, but you need to get out there.

One of my favorite memories of that trip was in Viet Nam. A storm hit and I took refuge in a nearby restaurant where no backpackers probably have ever entered before. I met everyone there including the nice couple who owned the place. It was a great experience.

]]> By: Emily http://bohemiantraveler.com/2010/05/the-problem-with-the-backpackers-circuit/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Emily Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:17:32 +0000 http://bohemiantraveler.com/?p=61#comment-54 Very good point. Sometimes travel doesn't feel like traveling if you're not pushing out of your comfort zone and really seeing what local living is like. While this is a bit different, I used to really dislike NYC--it felt really touristy and hoakey (granted, both times we did mostly tourist stuff). But a few of my friends moved there after college, and when I visit them, we don't do anything touristy. We go to the local bars and shops, they take me to the hole-in-the-wall restaurants the tourists don't know about, etc. Getting to experience the city like a local has completely changed my perspective, and I actually really enjoy going there now! Very good point. Sometimes travel doesn’t feel like traveling if you’re not pushing out of your comfort zone and really seeing what local living is like. While this is a bit different, I used to really dislike NYC–it felt really touristy and hoakey (granted, both times we did mostly tourist stuff). But a few of my friends moved there after college, and when I visit them, we don’t do anything touristy. We go to the local bars and shops, they take me to the hole-in-the-wall restaurants the tourists don’t know about, etc. Getting to experience the city like a local has completely changed my perspective, and I actually really enjoy going there now!

]]> By: jenna http://bohemiantraveler.com/2010/05/the-problem-with-the-backpackers-circuit/comment-page-1/#comment-11 jenna Mon, 17 May 2010 13:30:55 +0000 http://bohemiantraveler.com/?p=61#comment-11 i agree. i felt the same way in most of the "party hostels" in peru and bolivia. it's so easy to get stuck in an anglophile environment, meeting and going out with people similar to you, doing the same things you do back home. and like you said, it is fun to do all these things, but it's only when you step outside of the insular backpacker bars that you really experience your surroundings, and can truly appreciate them. the difference between the "gringo" experience really became clear to me in mancora, when three friends and i left the hostel we were staying in for a cheaper room down the street. we became friends with the guys who ran the local sushi spot, and apart from the fact that it still the best sushi i have ever had, partying with those guys was definitely one of the most genuine, fun experiences of my entire 3 month trip! i agree. i felt the same way in most of the “party hostels” in peru and bolivia.

it’s so easy to get stuck in an anglophile environment, meeting and going out with people similar to you, doing the same things you do back home.

and like you said, it is fun to do all these things, but it’s only when you step outside of the insular backpacker bars that you really experience your surroundings, and can truly appreciate them.

the difference between the “gringo” experience really became clear to me in mancora, when three friends and i left the hostel we were staying in for a cheaper room down the street.

we became friends with the guys who ran the local sushi spot, and apart from the fact that it still the best sushi i have ever had, partying with those guys was definitely one of the most genuine, fun experiences of my entire 3 month trip!

]]> By: Photo of the Week: Beach near Olympos, Turkey | GoMad Nomad Travel Mag http://bohemiantraveler.com/2010/05/the-problem-with-the-backpackers-circuit/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Photo of the Week: Beach near Olympos, Turkey | GoMad Nomad Travel Mag Thu, 13 May 2010 18:49:52 +0000 http://bohemiantraveler.com/?p=61#comment-8 [...] found this ghetto of independent travelers to be as equally annoying as places like Side. However, the great beach in an incredibly beautiful [...] [...] found this ghetto of independent travelers to be as equally annoying as places like Side. However, the great beach in an incredibly beautiful [...]

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