Backpackers deciphered

 After a decent amount of hostels, countless acquaintances, and too many adventures to possibly recount, I have managed to more or less classify the people that I surround myself with every day.

Class A: THE STRICT TRAVELERS
These individuals are on the journey to see, to take pictures with their SLRs, to rough it, to carry tents and sleeping bags and to truly mark themselves on the map and sights checklist. These guys are not going to have late nights out, as that may mean that they would not wake up in time for the tour bus. They are determined as hell.

Class B: THE HOSTELLERS
Typically in the 17-23 range, always anglophone (be it Aussie, English or Kiwi), and bordering alcoholic, these chaps aim to go from the station to the hostel, eat at the hostel, sleep at the hostel, drink at the hostel. When they leave the hostel, it is with an activity organized by the hostel. They are hostel hoppers. When they say that they traveled South America on their gap year, they will be familiar with the local cocktail of every country, but will not be able to ask directions in the local language. They sleep during daylight hours, and are a great laugh at night.

Class C: THE IN-BETWEENS
A good mix of wanting to see the city, making the effort to get a good deal into the itinerary, getting to bed every few days to have the energy to do it. But they are not to be taken anywhere near as seriously as THE TRAVELERS, as they will not abstain from a good party hostel, and will definitely participate in the odd loose night out. They will definitely know how to ask directions in (insert language), and probaby have the most interesting stories to tell.