You Know You Are a Backpacker When…

So I haven’t written much of note lately…mostly because of a hectic semester, law school applications and just life! More on those things when the semester from hell ends (in two weeks!)

Anyways while taking a 2AM study break, I happened across my journal from the summer and came across this list I made of all the things that most backpackers can relate to (or at least things I’ve done as a backpacker!). Just thought I’d share…

You know you are a backpacker when…

1. You’ve gotten lost, even just for fun
2. You’ve slept in airports, bus stations, train stations etc
3. You’ve hand washed your clothes
4. You get upset when passport control doesn’t stamp your passport
5. You’ve spent way too much money on something to get yourself out of a bind
6. You’ve saved a ton of money on fabulous deals bartering
7. You wear flip-flops 24/7 – and now your feet are cracking
8. You own at least one guidebook
9. You’ve discovered the gold mine that is budget airlines in Europe
10. You love the “Where Have You Been?” application on Facebook
11. You’ve gotten dirty at one or more festivals
12. You’ve woken up people in your hostel
13. You’ve been woken up BY people in your hostel
14. You’ve partied ’till sunrise
15. You’ve ‘creatively rearranged’ your backpack at the airport weight scales to meet the 15kg maximum EXACTLY on budget flights
16. You’ve saved money by taking overnight buses and trains – and then regretted it the next day
17. You can tell what country people are from based on their backpack brand
18. You need a haircut
19. You’ve gotten smashed with people who until one hour ago were complete strangers
20. You get excited for flush toilets and indoor plumbing
21. You look forward to hostels with free Internet
22. You’ve invented your own system of packing
23. You’ve come home with completely different clothes than you left with
24. You look at people with suitcases and shake you head
25. You’ve gone free camping
26. You’ve been lost in translation
27. You’ve been confused about public transportation
28. You’ve had some close calls, but not close enough not to live and tell everyone about them
29. You never buy books, you just wait to trade them at hostels
30. No matter how much you travel, you always want to travel more!

If you have any other ideas for the list, feel free to add a comment!