A Word on Nomadic Hygiene

Backpacker [bak-pak-er] - noun

1. A person who carries everything they own in a backpack.

2. One who resides in cheap accommodations, often sharing a dormitory with up to eight others, and typically spends no more than one week in a single place.

It is important to understand that while some of the backpacker customs vary from other cultures, particularly America, they are not dirty people.

A note on backpackers' hygiene:

a. It is not surprising, and is often expected, for a backpacker to be seen wearing a shirt at night, then is known to sleep in it, and also wear it for the entire next day.

b. An article of clothing is not declared dirty until the hour before a backpacker does laundry. (This includes clothing splattered with mud.)

c. Laundry is necessary only when all undergarments have been worn. (Or, in extreme cases, when everything is wet and molding from intense continuous rain.)

d. Showers usually are taken every day. (In special circumstances, once a week by bucket is acceptable.)

e. A backpacker's shower typically last 45 seconds. This is because 96% of the showers backpackers use are frigid.

f. A backpacker washes his/her hair about every 2-3 days. Conditioner is optional. Camp soap is often used if shampoo is difficult to find. Note: If the backpacker is female, braids are often put into place when hair has not been washed for several days. This is usually due to the water being too cold.

g. Makeup is almost obsolete among backpackers. Some females may put on mascara once a week, though this rare.

While some of these habits may be hard to adjust to initially, a backpacker is typically fine with all of these conventions after the first 3 weeks.