Hobo tourism/Overnight stays in long intercontinental journeys

Rest at night is one of the important moments in the practice of bum tourism: sleep is necessary for health and physical activity during long expeditions with low self—financing, where high energy consumption awaits you daily. Since sometimes, even in poor countries, the cost of hotel accommodation can be relatively high (for example, in Comoros — from 20 €, in Botswana — from $ 40), it makes sense to use the alternatives described below.

Hotel in Atbara, Sudan, 2010 (1 sleeping berth — 5 S.P. = $1,5)

In Aboriginal dwellings

There are special hospitality networks for Internet dating with subsequent residence at home with the users of the resource in the country chosen for visiting — this practice is widely used by backpackers. With hobo tourism, circumstances can throw a traveler to places where there is no international web or (due to the unpredictability of obtaining visas along the way) to a country whose visit was not planned by the route. Spontaneous acquaintances with local residents come to the rescue, who sometimes don't mind inviting a foreigner to stay in their huts.

In an abandoned building

Unlike the previous method, where you need to adjust to the routine of the owners, and this is not always convenient (for example, sitting up late talking with the household suffering from boredom somewhere in a God-forsaken village on a small island, the name of which not all geographers know), the option is useful because you can go to bed in silence, choosing an acceptable time. A building abandoned by residents can be a one-story, or a high-rise skyscraper. In the latter case, there will be enough space for a large expedition group.

On objects under construction

Construction projects that were mothballed are the best option for accommodating hobo tourists: there are no guards and builders working at night. At existing construction sites, overnight accommodation is possible with the permission of the responsible person. However, this is not feasible everywhere: in the big cities of Japan, Korea, China and Hong Kong, the objects under construction are surrounded by a multi-meter fence, which, to put it mildly, is difficult to penetrate.

At the cemetery

The method may not be used in every country. Tested on his own experience by the Russian traveler Viktor Pinchuk in Japan and Taiwan^[1]^[2]. Due to the similar mentality of the residents and the low crime rate, it can be assumed that a similar result is expected in South Korea. The rest of the countries have not been tested in this regard, so you can use this recommendation while staying there only at your own risk.

Under the open sky

The method is common among backpackers and local hikers. But unlike the above categories, a hobo tourist, spending the night in nature, does not use a tent and a sleeping bag. In the jungle, on islands off the ocean coast and other places where the sky replaces the roof, it is possible to use this method only in the dry season; in settlements and adjacent areas — in the rainy season too: you should find a canopy that will protect at night in case of heavy rain.

In the company of homeles people

This method is used in critical cases when there is no alternative. For example, if you arrival coincided with the late time of day, when there is no time to find the best option.

In halls and stairwells

The use of this method can be useful in Japan and Hong Kong, i.e. where the prices for accommodation are quite high. Stairwells of technical floors of residential buildings and lobbies of institutions will save you from cold and atmospheric precipitation. There is no single universal way: in each specific case, you need to act with an eye to the circumstances and using intuition.

At the police station

The method is widely used among local residents of five countries of the southern part of the African continent: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland (Eswatini). The police will also accept a white hobo tourist — on general grounds. In other countries, the use of this method is possible by agreement with police officers: based on their mood on the day of your arrival, and other nuances.

In the flophouse (dosshouse)

Almost every third world country has a separate category of hotels, which travel agency clients who visit the same country as part of a group of their own kind have no idea about. The main guests of such places are aborigines, who come from the province to a big city or the capital of their country for shopping or for another purpose. Sometimes bedbugs really live in such places.

In the terminals of international airports

No more than one night is used: on the day of arrival in the country, or the day of departure. It is convenient if the plane arrived late in the evening, or an early morning departure is expected.

Other possible options

In temples and mosques of Arab countries.
Under benches in Chinese trains, or in the vestibule of Indian trains (during crossings).
In the hospital. Tested in South Africa.
On the bus leaving the next morning. It is practiced in African countries, if you have a ticket. It is convenient that you do not need to look for a bus station in the early morning — you can inspect dreams during passenger boarding.
In the waiting rooms of railway stations. It is possible in many countries, except Japan, where terminals are closed from 00 to 06 hours and trains do not run.
In a separate booth of an Internet cafe. Invented and used in Japan by local residents who do not have enough funds for hotel accommodation. You will need to pay, but compared to hotel rates, it's nothing.
In the ATM pavilion. If there is a bank card that allows you to get inside.

Quote

Will share the secrets of my street sleepovers. If you get into an unfamiliar city, can stay anywhere, even on the central avenue under the walls of buildings, but on one condition: you need to deploy after midnight, and leave before six in the morning. At six, the first passerby may appear, probably suffering from insomnia, in half an hour there will be several of them, and closer to seven — a lot. ^[3]

Materials in Wikisource project

Viktor Pinchuk "In bullpen – voluntarily"

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Category:Material of travels and expeditions in the "bum tour" form (формат «бомж-тур»)

References

↑ Pinchuk, Viktor. Two months of wandering and 14 days behind bars (in Russian). Russia: Brovko. p. 18. ISBN 978-5-9909912-5-5.
↑ Pinchuk, Viktor. Japan for free (in Russian). Russia: Brovko. p. 27-28. ISBN 978-5-9908234-1-9.
↑ Pinchuk, Viktor. Six months by islands... and countries (in Russian). Russia: Brovko. p. 32. ISBN 978-5-9908234-0-2.

[1] Pinchuk, Viktor. Two months of wandering and 14 days behind bars (in Russian). Russia: Brovko. p. 18. ISBN 978-5-9909912-5-5.

[2] Pinchuk, Viktor. Japan for free (in Russian). Russia: Brovko. p. 27-28. ISBN 978-5-9908234-1-9.

[3] Pinchuk, Viktor. Six months by islands... and countries (in Russian). Russia: Brovko. p. 32. ISBN 978-5-9908234-0-2.

[1]

[2]

[3]