Going from a D80 to say D700 is a fairly big step in terms of size and weight, but I think it all comes down to getting used to what you're using. Once you get accustomed to it, you won't notice the weight as much as before and might even appreciate the bigger bodies
Gnohz, I want to buy D7000, not the D700. $$$
You know many times on the journey,when the days are long and tiring and I was trudging around town looking for hostels, or sturggling uphill to get to a hostel, or sinking into the mud roads in africa because of the overall weight - in my heart I wish I didnt have such a heavy camera and lens.. ( in that moment of frustration la) really can die sometimes..
As for your question about the hostel - If i have a guidebook for that area I will pick from it ( BUT i always stay away from the foreign owned party hostels). If i dont have a guidebook ,I'll google for the next destination and get the names/addresses, or i'll go to the tourist counter at the bus/train station and ask for recommendations and map. Sometimes, I asked fellow travellers who gives me reference then when i get there, the bus driver/taxis will usually know whre is it. Its best also to ask for the estimated fare to get to location so you can bargain like a pro and not be ripped off. I have also depend on taxi driver in times of desperation. There were a few times I also let the touts make some business from me (it is not necessary a bad thing)
I remember I end up sleeping in somebody's home for a fraction of the price in Morocco, Essaouira (which is the by the coast = pricey). It was interesting to see inside the moroccan home.
Another time through a tout, I end up on the rooftop of an Englishman living in Morocco Tarifa who is making some extra bucks.. I sleep on the thin mattress under the stars and surrounded by marijuana plants.:kiss:
The most drama has to be this one - I arrive in Tikal, Guatemlala the night before so I can have a headstart before the hot day starts. Realised the cheap hostel was full, no tents for rental and the expensive hotel cost USD 70. A local suggest I rent a hammock for USD10 and rigged up under a shelter. I happily did that with some local's help.... till night falls... it was totally dark, and I was alone surrounded by the forest and when I get into the hammock, I was wrapped around so I cant see anything else outside of it. My torchlight is so small that I can only spot in one area. I was freaked out when I suddenly hear the crackling of twigs... and then realised there was a man... eeeeoooooowwwww. I jumped out of the hammock. tTurned out it was a guide who wanted to stay the night because he wants to get customers early in the morning.
" hmmm, so many shelters , why must he rigged up together with me?"
anyway I got back to my hammock, all tensed up till I heard his snoring..
In the middle of the night...I was suddenly woken up by some strange loud noises..
"eeeeeooooooo.... hhhoooooooo...oooooooh" its really scary, like some eerie horror film. ( I have not watched horror movies for more than 10yrs and am afraid of the dark). I was really really frightened... the sound went on for nearly 20 minutes and stopped as suddenly as it started.
I had difficult going back to sleep later and my ears perk at any little sound..stressful, I imagine monsters, ghosts, eveil spirits, animals that will gobble me up
Next morning when i talked to the guide (who didnt hear a single thing coz so sound asleep) he told me it was probably the howling monkeys.
Aiyoh... this small monkeys but their voices are booming loud... so be warned about this creatures
then again, I am not fussy about my accommodation.. so its much easier. All those lumpy beds and pillows were starting to feel the same
Having such close encounters with animals are simply something that can't be described in words 
