So as I was reading what leads people to my blog, I noticed this one give me a few views. So I thought to myself ‘If the people want to know, I shall tell them’. So here’s my list of why backpackers drink so much:
1) It’s cheap. Depending on where you are and what your poison is, the local beverages are usually the cheapest. When you are used to paying $5 for a bottle of beer and now it’s only $1.50? Why not drink up?
2) Socializing. When you’re traveling by yourself and you go from town to town and country to country, it’s always nice to meet people. Drinking is a social activity that is most enjoyable when with large groups of people. You can make a new best friend over just one beer and hey, it can lead to hook ups. Talking about your travels with others always requires a drink. You can “cheers” to things you’ve done or want to do. I’ve forged many new friendships while in the bar. I ended up traveling with a few of those people for a month. I had an amazing time.
3) Culture. Different places have different concoctions. If you want to experience a place, why not sample some of the local offerings? Be it their beer, their rum their fire water, you can’t experience a place just by visiting the sites and eating the food alone. So grab the local fare and beverage and sit amongst the locals. Bonus points if you speak the language.
4) Fun. Sometimes people drink to let loose and have a good time. Plain and simple.
hahaha….you don’t have to twist my arm, all those reasons sound great to me!
I hung out with a girl from the US who stayed here for like 4 months or so. She almost never paid for the drinks when we went out, that was not cool.
She experienced A LOT of Guatemala, ’cause she could hold down lots of liquor.