You’re backpacking in Southeast Asia. In one city, there is a highly popular Western-owned backpacker hostel with excellent revi
ews on the internet. It looks like a busy, fun, chilled-out place to stay and a good place to meet other travelers. They have good burgers. On your way there, you’re also passing by some local guesthouses, which look quieter, but still inviting. Some don’t have an internet. What will you do?
I will go to the local guesthouses and enjoy the peaceful environment. Even if they don’t have internet, I don’t consider that to be a downside. It gives me a chance to escape technology for a while and to just enjoy my trip. I feel like if I went to the Western-owned hostel, it would ruin my whole backpacking experience. While I’m in a new place I want to experience that culture, not something that I’m already used to.
