By Carrie Thompson

Love can strike you anytime, anywhere, especially when you’re traveling. It’s like the Swine Flu of emotions. Whether you’re traveling with a long-time partner, or sharing a brief kiss outside a club, there is no doubt romance and traveling go together like nothing else. Of course there are all sorts and durations of love and relationships, so lets have a look at eight of the most common.

1) Love The One You’re With

There is nothing at all wrong with the random travel fling now and again, provided you’re both single and willing. Why not? You’re out in the world having the time of your life. So if you find yourself dancing barefoot with a beautiful Frenchman in Colombia, or making out with a Brit like two shipwrecked refugees in the Caribbean, good for you. If you decide to take things a bit further than a little harmless kissing, be sure to protect yourself. I don’t know about you, but my idea of a vacation souvenir doesn’t involve something penicillin won’t shake. If that’s the sort of activity on your travel itinerary, you might want to bring along supplies yourself. Protection can be hard to come by in certain parts of the world. Oh, and if you’re considering taking Mr. or Ms. Wonderful back to your hostel room, please make sure you don’t get yourself kicked out of the hostel. Maybe that hammock on the beach is the better alternative to a dorm full of sleepy travelers.

2) Different Area Codes

There is an old saying — like from the 90′s — that when you’re in a different area code from your current girlfriend or boyfriend, you’re free and clear to do what you like. Forget area codes, what if you’re on a completely different continent? Or what if you cross the International Date Line? I’m not one to judge, but I think if you’re traveling for an extended time, keeping a significant other back home (without an express understanding along the lines of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”) is a monumentally bad idea. Really, if you’re beginning your round-the-world-trip, your goal should be to minimize your baggage, not to leave him or her behind. Travelers often do hook up with other travelers. I’m just saying, why put yourself and someone else through it? Just break it off (or take a break) before you leave. On the other hand, I have met travelers who were 100% faithful to the girlfriend or boyfriend back home, despite all of the temptation in the world. (more…)

Looking for ways to avoid making enemies out of your fellow travelers? Here are 13 sure-fire ways to make your hostel hostile. Follow or risk deportation from your dorm.

By Carrie Thompson

1) Adult Relations

When people use the phrase “get a room” when you’re busy making out with the stranger you just met at the club, they do not mean a dorm room. Next time you meet a new travel “friend,” take him or her someplace else. The pool is always good, or try your own hostel room. If you happen to be in my room, I will turn on the lights and tell you to “get a room.” Trust me, that’s a pretty mild reaction. Some people have threatened to take photos, video or worse. Imagine that coming up on YouTube or in your Facebook videos for your friends to see. Smile for the camera.

2) Turning on the Lights

When you’re rolling in from the club solo at 3:00 a.m. and haven’t been lucky enough to meet Mr. or Ms. Right, you should not turn on the lights and wake up your seven roommates to get to your bed. Trust me, I’ve stumbled to my bunk and gone to sleep fully clothed enough times to know that it can be done . . . even in a skirt. Here’s a useful trick: If you know you’ll be in late and other people have to be up early, get your sleeping clothes out before you leave and put them someplace conspicuous on the bed. Makes more sense, doesn’t it? (more…)