You know you're backpacking when...

Over the last few weeks I've noticed a few things about travelling. There are certain things that backpackers do that no other traveller does! There are also a few key things that help you to identify a backpacker (even if they are not carrying their backpack!).

So, here's my list. You know you're backpacking when you....
1. Spend a fair while looking for your bed each night :)
2. Cheer when you stay in a place for more than a night coz it means that you don't have to pack your bags tomorrow!
3. Are so good at riffling through your bag to find stuff that you can even do it in the dark
4. Eat the most random things for meals e.g. sorbet counts as lunch, cereal counts as dinner, breakfast could be whatever is left over from yesterday :)
5. Your diet is rather unbalanced!
6. Are stoked to find places that allow you to fill water bottles for free
7. Actually notice when people are wearing clean clothes because you can smell the washing powder and notice especially when people walking past have perfume on - it smells so nice - a stark contrast from me!
8. Wear clothes everyday that have a faint backpack smell!
9. Take up to 500 photos in a day, very easily :)
10. Are on the look out for McDonalds - which would NEVER happen at home (they offer three key things that backpackers are always looking for: 1. clean toilets for free 2. salad so the vegetable intake improves 3. free WIFI)
11. Drink cheap wine from plastic cups
12. Choose your bed for the night purely for it's location, whether you get free wifi and whether the price is decent
13. Cheer when the hostel hands out towels so you can dry yourself with something larger than a tea towel!
14. Don't know where you will be in 2 days time
15. Meet new friends every day and are sad to see them leave
16. Can cram an HUGE amount of gear into one backpack
17. Willingly throw away lots of very important and interesting paperwork (those who know me well know that I really like to keep that kind of thing....)
18. Can't remember the last time you:
- washed your clothes without paying for it
- cooked a proper meal
- didn't pay to use the loo when in public places!
- properly did your hair, bombing it up is so much easier :)
- wore make up
- slept in a room by yourself
- weren't locking up your bag coz you're a little bit paranoid about people taking things!
- drove a car
- checked your mobile phone flat out
- ate a home cooked meal!

That's quite a long list - and their are plenty more to add. Feel free to add any that you can think of :)

Backpacking is the life, that's for sure! Never a dull moment. Now I'm off to find myself some dinner. Hmmmm - what shall I have today?! Don't worry Mum and Dad, I do get plenty of fruit and a decent amount of vegetables. Must be doing ok coz I haven't been sick!

Looking forward to hearing your ideas,
Love Sarah xx