tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282703440670507342.post6630047448769032260..comments2023-11-16T15:25:13.925+07:00Comments on Alice's Adventures in Vietnam-land: Backpackers vs Travelers: Why Everyone Prefers the Latteraliceinvietnamlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07727953426996904768noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282703440670507342.post-16306831162893771172013-03-29T09:35:22.732+07:002013-03-29T09:35:22.732+07:00I second Alice.
I've been living in Vietnam fo...I second Alice.<br />I've been living in Vietnam for many many years, and the flow of backpackers (we have to found another name, the phonetic of that word starts to hiritate me actualy!) has been in constent increase. Fair enough!<br />But there is one common denominator between a vast majority of them: they simply stink all the time!<br /><br />I know it may sound rude to say that. And i am one who always tries to stay objective and not jump to conclusion. But it is the sad truth. After countless accounter of that species, you can easily and statistically conclude that they stink. [here, i said it again]. Although i am a very polite and respectful person, i think i will eventually ask them directly why.<br /><br />Backpackers: Why do you have to weare dirty clothes all the time? Why do you have to stink all the time? Why… Why??? it does not make sense to me. I've done some backpacking (in the sense that i had only 1 bag with me when traveling Australia), and i was still able to clean myself everyday, change clothes, and even wash my clothes when needed. Are you carrying only a small perce to have the weare the same clothes all the time.<br />Why do you have to smell like you haven't taken a shower for days and days? Especially in hot and humid countries. Why…why… why?<br />Everytime i get a terrible swif of sweat in a bar or on the street, you can rest assure that he/she has the characteristic described by Alice (t-shirt, pants….). It became one of those unexplained fact of life to me.<br /><br />Every hostel has showers, even the cheapest one in Vietnam. And you can wash your clothes for very very cheap in Vietnam. And guess what, probably 99% of hostel offers laundery services for peanuts.<br />It's around a dollar or 2 max to make a big load. Granted, your clothes might smell like a field of lavender from the south of France. But they are clean. You know: "clean", "hygiene"; just a couple of concept the human race has been improving on for centuries now. Why do you have to be become a cave man all over again?<br /><br />I know there is the "tight" budget argument coming up all the time. But here is the simple math:<br />1 deodorent = 40,000VND (As of time of writting, it's just under 2 USD).<br />I use deodorent everyday, and one "stick" lasts for about 1.5-2 month. And to be really nice, we will say 1 month only.<br />So if you travel 12 months (which is quite a long journey already) here is what it would cost.<br />12 months x 2USD = 24$.<br />Are you that much on a budget that 24$ in one year is too much? Especially to smell good, and not polute people's air?<br />24$ is probably what you spend in 1 or 2 regular days of drinking. 24$ for 1 year!<br /><br />So if there are any backpackers reading this post: please answer us? <br /><br />Is it an unspoken code of conduct? am i so outdated that i did not realised that stinking became so cool?<br /><br />Maybe i'll try to see if Gillette or Rexona wants to sponsor by donnating free deodorent in hostel. That might solve the problem.<br /><br />So one last time, because it feels good to say it and is totally true: YOU STINK! GO SHOWER!<br /><br />CheersAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15441453395066558297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282703440670507342.post-39088862989054998952013-03-01T18:04:48.212+07:002013-03-01T18:04:48.212+07:00Totally agree. Cheers :)Totally agree. Cheers :)Niza Zainalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17944854447750562432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282703440670507342.post-11368845485647901842013-01-15T15:39:03.058+07:002013-01-15T15:39:03.058+07:00Vietnam is beautiful and peaceful.I would like to ...Vietnam is beautiful and peaceful.I would like to come here once. Hope you can share the experience.<br /><a href="http://www.graylinevietnam.com" rel="nofollow">Activities in Vietnam<br /></a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00421723655704225048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282703440670507342.post-71788825466905215522012-12-01T11:26:30.248+07:002012-12-01T11:26:30.248+07:00This is hilarity!! My husband and I recently had o...This is hilarity!! My husband and I recently had our first international experience. One of the things we were very entertained by were the other travelers-- some were drunk all the time and some were just as curious as us about their surroundings. As much as we tried to soak it all in, we probably fell somewhere in between what you designate "backpackers" and "travelers". Hopefully as we become more seasoned in our international exploring, we'll be more on the travelers side. There are definitely parts I look back on that probably came off as arrogant, but it was our ignorance as to what to look for or expect or even know what to research before we went. Anyway, this is really funny and very insightful. Thank you. <br />PS There were two backpacks and a suitcase between the two of us. Emily with a whYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855703200479448942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282703440670507342.post-6395499981533324812012-11-13T08:23:02.455+07:002012-11-13T08:23:02.455+07:00understood, but I did clarify, several times, that...understood, but I did clarify, several times, that carrying a backpacker does not make you a "backpacker"....it's the attitude that makes you one. I also often only carry a backpack. Nice luggage doesn't make you a good traveler. :)aliceinvietnamlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07727953426996904768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282703440670507342.post-25191143171794335932012-11-12T14:58:40.715+07:002012-11-12T14:58:40.715+07:00As somebody who nearly always travels with a singl...As somebody who nearly always travels with a single backpack I understand a lot of what you're saying. There are rude travelers and there are respectful travelers. Sometimes there are smelly people, we call them hippies. Otherwise, just call people rude, ignorant, smelly, arrogant travelers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com