Hello peeps!
I have now been in Bali for over a week, and a few things have already established themselves in the background noise of my travels. One of them is relating to the different kind of backpackers I have come across so far...
Being a bit of a science geek from time to time and - most importantly - loving a good list, I have thus compiled a little guide describing the main categories of western people floating around. I am sure this list will evolve the more time I spend traveling, but I think I got the basics right so far.
So here you go, my Beginner's Guide To Identifying Specimen Of The Backpacking Crowd...
1. The Western Mystics
These little buddies are easily spotted thanks to their simple but very unique attire. Usually in their mid to late 20s, they can be seen sporting a headfull of dreadlocks, some sort of bead neckless and/or bracelet and recognizable hippie pants. Usually vegetarians if not vegans, they are fond off raw or very low processed foods and practice yoga/meditation/contemplative walking-in-the-rain. They can be very talkative with a view on anything and everything, or very introvert. The Western Mystics are also able to quote from very mysterious and little known books of Eastern wisdom.
These guys will make you see your glass full, even if it is 3/4 empty. Only downside - conversation can be a bit testing when they try to convert you to the benefits of tofu v.s meat. Nice guys though, good karma.
2. The Mid Life Crisis-ers
These guys are more difficult to spot without prior interaction as they do not have any particular external recognizable characteristics. The term "mid life" is applied very loosely here, with individuals from this population being in their mid 20s to mid 40s. Only prerequisite is having studied and worked before starting their travels. Personal life traumas are optional.
These guys are looking for meaning in their life, but not necessarily on a spiritual level. One day they looked back on their lifes and decided what they saw was not exactly what they want for themselves. They were a bit lost and decided to go away for a while to do "different" things to try reconnect with themselves and decide next steps.
I am very much part of this group. In the last year, my life has gone a bit upside down. My long term relationship has ended up on the rocks, I am not completely satisfied with my choice of career and I need to decide where I will settle down in order to start a family. I have many questions, but few answers, but I am hoping to find myself during this trip.
3. The 18 Years Old Australians
You can spot them a mile away! They are not necesarily Australian though, but these are the most represented in this group. Always under 25 years old, traveling in packs of individuals of the same gender, they are here to party and party hard. They will mostly cluster in the seaside resorts, where alcohol flows freely and casual encounters are many. Mostly active during the night time, they can be rather loud when soaked in beer.
4. The Gone-Natives
Usually male, retired, married or living with a local. They are deeply tanned, with beards and sometimes long hair. Some of them have migrated from the Western Mystics group. These guys have found peace, and are living the dream. They speak the language, not to show off, but because it is just an everyday thing for them. They are not backpackers anymore, they have merged into the fabric of the local community.
5. The Arty Hippies
They look like the Gone-Natives, but much younger, usually in their 20s. They also speak the language, but this is only to show off. They will sometimes sport dreadlocks and/or bead necklesses, but this is again to complete the persona. The Arty Hippie type will not hesitate to pinch cigarettes from others - they never seem to have any on them... - and smoke right next to young children while lecturing about karma and the ill effects of consuming white sugar. In my onion, these guys are to avoid as they do not seem to contribute anything useful, but rather take a lot from other.
These are the basic groups I have crossed path with so far. There are countless hybrids with traits from two or more groups, but the main characteristics will be found in these original five. I am still on the look out for more :)
Greetings from Bali.
x
