We're going for the "Oldest Backpacker" award!

Even though we transport our stuff via wheely bags rather than large backpacks, we believe we qualify because we've spent more nights in hostels than many actual backpack bearers. Furthermore, the vast majority of backpackers are under 30 and we are, well, significantly older than that! Never mind, 'backpacker' is a state of mind.

As professional Nomads, we have stayed in a wide range of accommodations, our favorites being short term studio apartments for longer stays and hostels for briefer ones. There are two principle aspects of hostel stays that are especially advantageous: low cost and kitchens. Other aspects include social connections with other travelers and Nomads, lounges where we can work, free or low cost Wifi for Internet, and laundry facilities.

We have stayed in hostels in many countries but since we arrived in Australia and then moved on to New Zealand, we have lived exclusively in hostels, known as Backpackers Hostels, every night except for the four weeks we lived in a 'share house' in Melbourne. http://www.pioneerwest.net/nomad/melbour1.html

Let us explain this situation in a bit more detail.....

Australia has a shortage of laborers for farm work, hotel housekeepers, and other low end jobs. According to www.fairwork.gov.au, the National Minimum Wage is $15/hour or $569.90/week before tax. The work week is 38 hours.

In the USA, the national minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Some states have minimum wage laws to set the minimum wage above the national rate.

Australia offers work visas to people who want to come for a year or two to take these lower end jobs and large numbers of young people take advantage of this opportunity. The logical place for these folks to live is in Backpackers Hostels. Often the hostels employ them to work for accommodation.

So, then there is us. As candidates for the Oldest Backpacker award, we have suppressed our desire for privacy (sharing the kitchen and often the bathroom with folks who may not share our concept of neatness and sometimes living in a mixed dorm), expanded our tolerance, if not our enjoyment, for hip hop music, MTV, and daytime TV by tuning these out, engaged in some of the most stimulating discussions about a wide range of topics, and broadened our understanding of the life choices that are now open to young people everywhere. We have come to respect these adventurous, courageous, open minded, visionary, hopeful folks who, after all, are our hope for the future of this endangered planet!

We're not sure how to apply for our award but we are certainly enjoying the competition!