Loud mouth
The
loud mouth is not only the loudest person staying at the hostel but
also the one that stays up the latest. That's what you get sometimes at
backpackers. Complain to reception although it's unlikely that they'll
get kicked out. They usually don't hang around any particular place
for too long and are never missed.
Drunk
The
resident alcoholic. The drunk apparently does nothing other than drink
beer all day. How they are able to fund this lifestyle is a mystery
which only they seem to grasp. Sad but true.
Dope
Similar to the drunk, only this one is always high.
Worker
A
diligent and determined type that's early to bed, early to rise.
Working towards their goal. Workers can stay at a particular
backpackers for months at a time if they are at a job they enjoy and
are able to save enough from. This worker easily saves $300-500 per
week. They are also able to focus clearly on their target and be
unaffected by distractions. Being a worker is the most gratifying
feeling of them all. A true character builder.
Lout
The
lout does the bare minimum to get by. They have a job that just barely
covers their living expenses and that's working a full 10 hours a
week. Oh the poor things, unable to cope with the great big white world
out there. They spend most of their time complaining to anyone in the
vicinity about not being able to find a job, how hard it is out there
and a million other excuses. There is plenty of work out there.
Sense & sensibility
They
travel in pairs and are usually females. They are always the most
prudish travellers of them all and pretty much keep to themselves. They
are cook, eat and wash their dishes with militaristic precision
without uttering a word to each other. If you do get them to speak they
like finish each other's sentences. Creepy but true.
Cool dude
The
cool dude is the life of the party, the girl/guy that everyone wants
to be around. They are naturally happy people, completely comfortable
in their own skins that radiate easy smiles, good vibes and good
times. Surround yourself with as many cool dudes as you can.
Sir Laugh-a-lot
Sir
or Lady Laugh-a-lots are always happy and laughing. At anything.
Everything excites them. They are great to have around as their
enthusiasm for life is contagious.
Hurricane
The
hurricane has the ability to spontaneously make everything in his/her
vicinity look like a hurricane has just ripped through. They are
notoriously messy and live surrounded by their belongings. They don't
even bother removing what they left on their sheets (whole backpack
contents) before going to bed. Stay well clear when it's time for them
to pack up and move unless you care to witness the true definition of
stress and panic.
Veteran
The
Veteran is the hostel's longest staying resident. Some have been there
over 6 months. They have seen it all. They spend this whole time
living in the same dorm surrounded by different people all the time.
Their jobs come and go, but their desire to stay in the same place
remains strong. Veterans always give the best advice. Forget what
lonely planet says ask them.
Guru
The
Guru is the most knowledgeable traveller out there. The Guru knows how
the system works, where work is, where to buy the best things, where
the best places to go are, how to get into whichever sort of work.
Gurus are like veterans that move around and go where the best
opportunities are. Gurus make opportunities for themselves everywhere.
Hang around in their wake and you'll learn something that will directly
help you down the road. Learn as much as you can from them.
Party Hardy
Party
Hardies are those that love to celebrate and party. They will either
get drunk at the hostel or go out every night. Many of them even work
all day. Their commitment to getting as much done as possible has to be
admired although these are the types most likely to crash and burn as
the cost of their lifestyle and inability to sustain it catches up.
It's a thrilling ride while it lasts.
Clueless
Clueless
never knows anything. Clueless must ask how to get everywhere several
times, will analyse every page of the lonely planet and will always be
unsure of themselves. Being in Australia is too far out of some
people's comfort zone.
Trustafarian
Trustafarians are those kids unfortunate enough to have endless financial backing from the bank of mom
& dad (mostly dad). I use the term unfortunate because they'll
never know the true meaning of freedom and adventure that one who goes
out there to make it on their own gets. Everything comes for free,
nothing is earned. Sure they will have a lot of fun and are generally
good people that were unfortunate enough not to experience Australia
the best way.
Remote hogger
The
remote hogger is always watching T.V. 24 hours a day. Walk into the
lounge at any time of day and they are guaranteed to be sitting there
watching some meaningless crap on T.V. Whether they actually
eat,work,are paying rent, sleep or move are anyone's guess. Once it's
there it's there and it would be worth finding a new hostel.
Hour-Shower
The
hour-shower(er) will take showers that last for an hour. Hot ones at
that. They are the annoying ***** that use up all of the hot water on
cold days and leave the bathroom looking like a steam room. A
bacteria-riddled steam room.
Perpetual Cougher
The
perpetual cougher is the dimwit that spends all night coughing. They
usually crack out 10-20 coughs per hour but can be more on weekends.
They are perpetually annoying.
Snorer
Every
dorm has one. Spend enough time in it and you'll eventually get used
to it. No, they won't stop so you'll either have to put up with it or
find somewhere else to sleep in this fully booked town tonight.
Surprise Inspectior
These
are the fools that come back drunk at 3am, turn on the lights and then
go about there normal business like nothing was happening. Groups of 2
or more inspectors not uncommon. Great for people that have to get up
early to go to work.
Econo-miser
The econo-miser buys the cheapest of everything. They look like a Woolworths
commercial, none of their meals exceed $1 and they hardly ever eat.
They'll use whatever left over ingredients that get left out plus a few
of yours when you're not looking. This is a very resourceful survival
tactic when you are low on funds and a way to appreciate everything
that much more once the tide turns in your favour.
Random nodder
The random nodder
is that that person you've been seeing around the place for a week and
nod to each time you come across each other. You may or may not ever
speak, there presence is somewhat welcoming.
Foreign travellers not on a working holiday visa.
There
are a lot of travellers who aren't fortunate enough to have a piece of
paper from a 'friendly' country, therefore cannot come in on the
working holiday visa programme. They only get a tourist visa. They are
determined to see the country and will come down with money they
worked hard to save. They don't get to work along the way and are
usually the ones that clean the hostel in exchange for a free stay.
Some will find cash in hand work, most will in fact as they are
resourceful people determined to get the most out of their time here.
When you see one of them do buy them a beer or leave them something
that could be useful to them. Make sure they are the ones that get your
food if you go away. They are truly worthy of it.
Travellers learning English
Some
people at hostels have come to Australia for a limited time in order
to learn English. They are usually very polite, reserved and generally
keep to themselves. Maybe that's a reason why so few of them seem to
be actually learning anything.
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