WWOOFing

A few of the travelers I met in New Zealand were WWOOFing their way around the country. This is a program that many countries have where the traveler exchanges work on an organic farm for free room and board. Here's a cool CNN article about a couple who is using WWOOFing to travel around the world: WWOOF Your Way Around the World.

10 Backpacker Stereotypes

Another blog, "My Travel Adventure," has compiled a list of 10 backpacker stereotypes. I think it's interesting so I'm reposting the list here:

10 Backpacker Stereotypes You’ll Meet on the Road

There is no doubt that having an open mind and a level of tolerance for differences in cultures is essential for any backpacker during their travels overseas.I also believe that there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ traveler, that not all backpackers from the same country necessarily bear resemblance to each other, and that where in the world an individual comes from should not affect how they are perceived and treated when traveling.

However, in the spirit of poking fun, and with a hint of political incorrectness, below is a list of the top ten backpacker region stereotypes (including my own!) that you may have encountered during your world travels…

1 – The American Backpacker

You will hear this backpacker immediately upon entering the hostel. Loud, enthusiastic and friendly, the American Backpacker either travels in large groups of young college girls or guys, or, if a little bit older, travels solo. The delightful college girl American Backpacker wears pajamas during the day and tight bright clothing at night, and is never without numerous layers of make up and hairspray, and the college boy American Backpacker has usually found their way to Central or South America on a cheap flight from Miami and are ready for a week of drinking and partying.

In contrast, the older single American Backpackers are usually travel bloggers, photographers, or hippies that are trying to find the deeper meaning in their travel experiences. All American backpackers give themselves massive kudos for being one of the 20-30% of American citizens that own passports and like to brag about anything remotely ‘foreign’ they have done on their travels. Depending on the type, great for partying the night away or discussing the meaning of life.

2 – The European Backpacker

Usually travels in pairs, stays in the private rooms, and spends much of the time speaking to only each other in their native language. The European Backpacker is ridiculously good-looking but very quiet and reserved, until copious amounts of red wine are consumed.

Usually has way more money than the rest of the hostel combined and can tell smug stories of expensive trips and activities which others could only dream of. Great for when you want to pretend you are not a grimy backpacker and go to a nice restaurant or bar for once.

3 – The Canadian Backpacker

Can spot these a mile away due to the prevalence of Canadian flags sewn on to their backpack and the ‘ey’ at the end of every sentence (“Canada, ey”).

Always friendly and impeccably polite (unless you mistake them for their louder cousin, American backpacker). Often stoned. If you hit them, they will apologize. Great for switching rooms to get away from the snorer.

4 – The Israeli Backpacker

The Israeli backpacker tends to travel in large packs after doing their time in the army. Easy to find as they will be the ones haggling at every spot. Friendly and always speak impeccable English, but are slightly scary and a little smelly. Great for when you want the best deal at the local kebab shop.

5 – The Asian Backpacker

Very rare breed of backpacker. Quiet and courteous (until they have a beer), the Asian Backpacker usually travels in small packs with large cameras and a multitude of electrical equipment in a Hello Kitty backpack. Great for when you need that s150 charger you left at home.

6 – The English Backpacker

The English Backpacker travels in a massive group with other sun tanned/burnt/fake-tan orange English Backpackers. Friendly but often spends time whinging on a hostel balcony.

Usually has enough money to find English booze and fried food thanks to the pound. Usually on a Gap Year. Always up for hostel drinking games, and able to drink nearly as much as the Australian Backpacker (and often goes home with one). Great for having a laugh at the pub.

7 – The South African Backpacker

Another rare breed. Usually men. Very arrogant and most have the crazy eyes, but they come complete with a divine accent and amazing abs. Can handle a shotgun. Great for when you need a handyman to fix the hostel bunk, someone to protect you in a dangerous part of town, or when you have a hankering for a backpacker fling.

8 – The Australian Backpacker

Friendly, adventurous and laid back, but can be annoyingly loud and is the centre of every party once drunk. Always the one that does the stupid dares.

Can be found traveling in packs, pairs or alone, but if alone will often have run into a cousin/friend/acquaintance at every stop, however remote (“Maaaaate, didn’t realise you were over here in the middle of the amazon jungle. Let's go for a drink.”).

Great for when you want to start drinking at 9am and have a skinny dip in a public fountain.

9 – The New Zealand Backpacker

Often confused with its Australian cousin; can be distinguished by their questionable fashion sense and hilarious pronunciation of the phrases “fish and chips” and “six, please”. Very friendly but usually a little reserved in large groups. Well experienced in camping and ‘tramping’ (hiking) and is at home in cold and mud and snow.

Extremely loose on the booze and has the ability to do even crazier things than the Australian Backpacker when provoked, especially if from Dunedin. Great for a laugh when ordering six beers, or for borrowing clothes when the weather is chilly.

10 – The Irish Backpacker

Not to be confused with the English Backpacker, the Irish Backpacker is usually a little older and travels in pairs or by themselves. Like a homing pigeon, this gem of a backpacker always manages to find the best deals on a pint at any time of the day and is friendly and inclusive of all other travelers.

Loses the ability to speak English after a few alcoholic beverages but good at miming their usually hilarious drinking stories. Great for a friendly face if traveling alone.

Photo credits:
Americans by greggoconnell on Flickr, Canadian by wisely on Flickr, Irish by Barnacles Hostels on Flickr, English and Drinking by Happy Little Nomad on Flickr

from: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-07/10-backpacker-stereotypes-you%E2%80%99ll-meet-on-the-road.html

For the most part, this isn't too far off. I have found that German backpackers are standard, and I would have enjoyed a point about them wearing socks with flip-flops. I've also found that not everyone is as friendly as their stereotype makes you think they will be. A lot of travelers will put on a good face for a day or a week, but eventually your cultural differences (i.e. being American) will either make or break your friendship. Don't be offended, just take it with a laugh and another beer.

Home Sweet Home

It feels good to be back on US soil. I had an advantageous 17-hour layover in Los Angeles and used the time to escape the airport and catch up with a few friends. Fellow Alpha Chi Omega Audra and I had a fabulous lunch at BJ's in the Westfield Mall. Then I caught up with John who gave me an awesome driving tour of Malibu. Now I see why celebs love it. It was so fun seeing a bit of the West Coast.

Now that I'm home, it's definitely strange. I don't have to translate restroom, trashcan, french fries and ketchup. All of the money is green and my wallet is already full of pennies. My last few weeks traveling around were hectic and exhausting, but I did almost everything I wanted to, including that fantastic bungy jump. I still want to go black water rafting through the Waitomo caves, push my limits in the eight to nine-hour Tongoriro Crossing hike, and actually go skiing in Wanaka. But you have to leave something to do on the next trip.

I wrote several weeks ago about what I want to do when I grow up. Now that I've completed my journey, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit that list. At new years I wanted:
1. Something publishing/writing related, perhaps editorial or photography as well
2. Travel and lifestyle subject areas (I’ve become obsessed with the non-fashion related sections of magazines here, clipping out recipes and saving tips)
3. Mixed media for sure, I love flipping and clipping, but clicking and tweeting can be fun too
4. Perhaps a stint in the baking/chocolate world to kill my incestuous sweet tooth for good, or just get more creative about satisfying it
5. Something with free time for sailing, if not potentially sailing related
6. Some opportunity to give back through non-profit work, working with kids, either professionally or volunteering

Now that I've been poking through the job market, had a few conversations about how to combine my skills and my dreams, I think this is still an important list. Media and writing have been my passions, and this trip has taught me to follow my instincts. I need to start making time for my own writing again, to go to yoga class regularly and to research my next big trip. And I know that somewhere there's a good opportunity for me to settle down, get an apartment I can paint the bathroom hot pink, and dig my fingers into a job that I may not love, but that teaches me a lot. I'm ready to be home, to grow up just enough to have a life here.

The Official Classy Packing List

Tomorrow, I'm heading to California. I've spent the last 2 days trimming down my iTunes collection so it'll fit on my iPhone and copying whatever files I want onto my flash drive. I'm doing one load of laundry tomorrow and buying a new Too Faced mascara from Sephora. So I finally figured out everything I'm going to pack.

I'm bringing 5 shirts: yellow blouse with bow, J. Crew white crew neck t-shirt, pink J. Crew v-neck tissue tee, white flowy J. Crew tank top, emerald tight tee



2 J. Crew polos and a going out top: white ruffle neck polo, black J. Crew v-neck tee, black polo with custom turtle



2 medium weight tops (3/4 sleeves) and 2 long sleeve tops: Lilly Pulitzer fish tunic, Polo Ralph Lauren white oxford, Elon University long-sleeve tee, J. Crew yellow rugby 3/4 sleeve shirt



3 J. Crew cardigans, 1 long sleeve, 2 3/4 sleeves: navy ruffle cardigan, teal stripe cardigan (3/4 sleeves), black chiffon trim cardigan (3/4 sleeves)



3 tee shirts (one from Adam, and two of my fav Alpha Chi shirts!):



an Under Armor shirt and 2 work-out shorts, pink and navy:



yoga/exercise pants, a second pair of J. Crew matchstick jeans, and full-length leggings:



3 pairs of shorts: J. Crew khaki shorts, J. Crew salmon shorts, Lilly Pulitzer patchwork shorts



dress pants and a J. Crew khaki skirt:



two J. Crew bathing suits: (sadly, the New Zealand Breast Cancer Society's Bikini Downhill Race is on the 26th, the day before I leave!)



two pairs of J. Crew boy's boxers (so comfy!):

C

a fun day dress and a little black dress: white and navy mini dress, black Ann Taylor dress



and finally, two scarves and two big belts as accessories: snake skin waist belt, blue/yellow/purple neck scarf, yellow paisley long scarf, white/black/beige block waist belt



So, now that you have the list, here's a bigger picture:



I decided the best way to pack would be by rolling all my tops and carefully making sure none of them had any wrinkles. my bag is so huge, it was hard to not get things wrinkled while dragging it up and down the East Coast. All my tops are folded in 3's, like in a store display. The ones with collars are rolled starting with the bottom so the collar doesn't get crushed, while everything else is rolled from the shoulders so the fronts stay smooth. I'm also throwing in a dozen pair of socks and as many underthings as I own (you can always throw them out later). I just put it all in my pack and used my dad's new luggage scale - can you guess: [polldaddy poll=2036750]

There are a few other things that will be coming down under with me:



Brown leather gloves, a pink neck pillow, a first-aid kit, Kleenex, one of two NZ guide books, a teal Coach clutch, an Elon baseball cap, Elon rain jacket, a garment bag for dirty clothes,  electrical converter plugs, South Carolina playing cards, Ralph Lauren pillow case, and a gold Coach clutch. Someone has to have it all together or that 14 hour plane ride will be miserable. Let me know what you would or wouldn't take with you!

Pub Trivia

Trivia is one of those things that instantly becomes popular the moment you graduate university. Not only have you paid for 4 years of pretending to study while in fact partying hard and watching bootleg movies, but you now have a chance to showcase the true knowledge you gained.



Well dear friends, it just so happens that on my first night in Kiwi country, IEP/BUNAC folks are heading to the Empire Tavern

for Pub Trivia.

The last two trivia's I attended in Washington included obsolete literature references, clues about European politics and song titles from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and Today scrambled. Let's hope that down under, they prefer American politics and modern poets, even though I can only name about as few of those as the classics. If you have any Kiwi friends, please send them my way, 29 September in downtown Auckland, I"ll need all the teammates I can find.

Personal Plug-Ins

The Currency Game

While money in different countries is a whole other issue, its important to research what currencies are used in the countries you are going to.  Small devices like camera batteries can be charged with only a converter and may not need a transformer.  Higher powered devices like  cell phones, laptops and hair straighteners might need the transformer to make sure too much current isn't hurting the device.  In Antibes, France I had to go to the hairdresser because I burnt my hair off using my American curling iron on too high of a setting.  Needless to say, a hairdryer is on my list of 'things to get when I get there,' along with a pocket knife.  Check out the World Electricity Guide for country specifics.

Staying Connected

If I didn't think about it, I would pack my iPod, laptop, digital camera, Garmin GPS, webcam, and cell phone all along for the ride.  Fitting those into a backpack with my J.Crew shorts and Polos is going to be pretty tough.

Instead of emptying my backpack and finding most of these:



I'm downsizing and the first order of business is getting the most options out of the least number of devices.  I'm cracking down and buying an iPhone.



This is harder than you think.  I need one not in a contract with a service provider that is as new as possible with the maximum amount of memory.  Oh yeah and I can't spend hardly anything on it so it's tough.  The biggest difference between the 3G and 3GS is the video camera in the 3GS.  This would give me the potential to make video calls home over Skype instead of having to haul my laptop, buy a netbook, or use an internet cafe.  Otherwise, the iPhone replaces my iPod, GPS, and phone  as well as giving me access to Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter, so I can still keep up with life back in the States.  I can't wait to pick out a dozen applications and buy a pink case for it.  The biggest frustration is getting one.  Ebay has plenty that are well over $600, which is more than my plane ticket cost me.  And Craigslist is full of scams, I've tried to contact a few of them with no luck.

Downsizing my other electronics is going to be hard.  I probably won't bring a laptop because frankly it's bulky, heavy, and New Zealand is a completely developed country.  There's also a WordPress app for the iPhone so I can update this blog remotely (I know, you're excited now).  Probably getting an international phone number freaks me out more than anything, since everyone back home doesn't really know how to use those.  Luckily, Vodafone has prepaid SIM cards for data, so I don't have to worry about that.

But what do I do when I get back in March?  I'm offloading my expensive Verizon account because my mom wants her own personal cell phone again instead of just her work phone (a horrible Palm Treo), and because their overseas service isn't very good.  A couple on my Ireland tour paid to activate their international roaming, and Verizon never did.  American phone companies are overly resistant to the SIM card option, so that's out too.

At least in the next year I'll have had phone numbers on 3 continents, so if anyone is trying to reach me, whether friend, family, foe or shark, it'll be a hell of a lot harder.  Unless I give you my number.

Airplane Air Pain

The day after I arrived at Shannon International Airport, Ireland back at the beginning of June, Sky News reported an Air France flight had gone missing off the coast of South America.  This was great considering my international flights were on Delta.  The two airlines have interlocked their flight plans together so closely, it can be difficult to tell if the operator of the plane and the logo splashed above the tail wings are the same company.  My tour group thankfully drove around in our motor coach while waiting to hear what happened to the 200+ people missing in flight and to see if our flights home would arrive on the tarmac  in one piece, or in pieces across an American beach.

Just this summer there have been over a dozen plane accidents, and in the past week three alone.  This morning a plane skidded off the airstrip in Thailand.  I was planning on going to Thailand to visit my friend Sarah doing missionary work there in November, now  I'll make sure not to fly Merpati Nusantara Airlines.  I'll also make sure to postpone my trip to Indonesia (plane missing since Sunday morning) and not fly light aircraft when traveling through Kenya.  Clearly looking through the list of "100 Worst" on www.planecrashinfo.com is not helping my nerves. Luckily, nothing came up when I searched for Quantas, the airline taking me to New Zealand, or JetBlue, my American carrier of choice, on this site.  Hopefully, the most I have to worry about in September would be my backpack being stuck in Brisbane while I'm jetting across to North Island.

One of the interns I work with has never flown.  I flew for the first time at age 8, while moving from Boston to Phoenix.  We took a decent sized plane to somewhere in Pennsylvania/Ohio then a prop plane to St. Louis to visit my childhood friend Renee.  The worst part of the trip was discovering I was not tall enough to ride the new Batman roller coaster at Six Flags.

I told intern Michael about my layover in Brisbane and the hassle I was already anticipating two months out from my flight.  "What's so bad about a layover? Can't you just leave?" he asked.

This is an interesting question.  I've been in a lot of airports, and I'd have to say most of them are not traveler-friendly when you have hours to kill.  The Dallas airport has a full-sized Disney store that I enjoyed during the layover from Phoenix to Washington-Dulles when I was 10.  Charles de Gaulle in Paris is so confusing my group found our way out of security without even realizing it when I was 16.  Palm Beach International has a putt-putt course in the waiting area, but not by the terminal.  In Athens, all of the gift shops are before the  American security checkpoint, so even if you wanted to bring home 0.8% acidity olive oil that you couldn't find in the grocery shop like I did two years ago, sorry but no such luck.  JetBlue's T5 at JFK is probably my favorite, since they do have a platform in the middle where yoga classes are held, and even though I hate flying in and out of New York, it does leave my home base Dulles with something to aspire to.

So yes, Michael, layovers are a pain.  They are even worse than finding out you have to pay an extra $50 to check your bag because it's 57 pounds and you can't bring that bottle of wine you bought in Napa Valley in your hand luggage.  Maybe if TSA lightened up on liquids, gels and aerosols, I could pass the bottle around the plane so we all wouldn't have to worry about the runway tires not retracting or the turbulence that will keep your headache from check-in going.  When you fly for the first time Michael, don't call me while you're waiting at the terminal.  Can someone pass me a Dramamine so I can pass out for this flight already?!

It is generally considered rude...

Since I'm attempting to visit several different countries while using NZ as home base, and was recently the recipient of some classic, cold European manners, I thought it would be interesting to compare a few things American with those of the South Pacific.

In America we hold doors open for others, chew with our mouths closed, say 'please' and 'thank you,' and answer telephone calls and/or emails/text messages/etc. promptly (unless we're avoiding you, and hopefully we have a good reason).  At prep school, we learned to pass pitchers with the handle facing out, to greet everyone older than us as 'sir' and 'ma'am,' and not to use dirty words when the dormitory mother was within ear shot.  We also kept the television volume on 'super-low' during study hall hours.  These are just a few of my favorites.

So how do we compare?  It's always quite interesting to learn about other places around the world, especially other English-speaking countries.  The variations in language, culture, conduct, etc. are intriguing.  Many places have been impacted by the global market, economy, and media machines so it is difficult to say how much of the pure society has been kept from some new and some ancient societies.  Here's a little that I dug up.  Please feel free to make comments or post suggestions/discoveries of your own.

New Zealand: According to one ex-Kiwi now living in Portland, it's rude to address someone as 'sir' in NZ culture. I find it hard to believe an ex-British colony does not use such honorary titles, and kiwiessential.co.uk confirmed that.  Also, apparently it's polite to smile, but don't be too friendly until they get to know you better.

Australia: Australians on the other hand have absolutely no qualms in calling you by first name from the get-go.  It is also similarly considered rude to not participate in a social activity without good reason.  Friendships, 'mates,' are also vitally important, and society reinforces reciprocal friendships even in business.

Thailand: Raising your voice and speaking negatively are faux pas' in Thai society.  I knew several girls at prep school from Thailand, and they were unequally pleasant ladies.  I'm sure they would not appreciate good, American sarcasm.  You also are not allowed Public Displays of Affection.  Not sure this is such a bad rule  actually...

Fiji: Not much info out there...Anyone know a Fijian so I can ask them?

China: Apparently the residents of Beijing are going along with the customs of the rest of China: the New York Times reports spitting on the sidewalk is down by half and even less continue to litter.  Also, the Chinese are supposedly humerus enough to appreciate American jokes, which can be quite bad, and don't mind making small talk about the weather, general business, family, or Chinese food.  I'll be sure to remember that.

Links for this post:
http://www.hobotraveler.com/ma2newzealandmanners.php
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/  (australia, new zealand)
http://www.guidetothailand.com/thailand-travel-faq/thailand-manners-customs.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/opinion/13iht-edgardner.1.13693509.html
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa031901a.htm

It's quite possible to be in love with several things at once.

One of the great things about life is the ability to be in love with everything at once.  Right now I love poppies, London accents, overcast summer days when it can't get too hot, and playing softball on the Mall in Washington.  I'm beginning preparations to move to New Zealand to enjoy five months and one week of fabulous southern hemisphere spring and summer, while escaping the tepid East Coast winter.  Hopefully this will be 5 months of exploring the world's most rugged and beautiful country and finding it in me to join the real world when I come back.  Or even better, find an inexpensive French immersion class in Switzerland. Either of those options would be entertaining.

Traveling out of a backpack is definitely going to be difficult. I can only bring two J.Crew cardigans, can't bring my Lilly patchwork shorts or any of my sundresses, and have to leave the cute flats I've been collecting at home.  Luckily, they sell hairdryers in New Zealand because the weird electrical outlet converters freak me out.  Why can't the  world run on the same electricity, or the same mobile service?  That would be so much more convenient.  For tonight I can say I have successfully purchased a backpack, the Kelty Coyote 4750

and I hope it works out well.  Packing list soon to come. Cheers!