- Current Age?
22
- Nationality
USA
- Where do you live now?
USA
- Occupation
Student
- When it comes to travel accommodation (but leaving out crashing with friends, family or people you meet on the road), how often do you stay in hostels?
pretty much all the time
- Where have you hosteled?
Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, USA
- Would you stay in a hostel again on future trips?
Yes
- Why or why not?
Hostels are such a great environment! They are not expensive and the people that run them are the best. Also the most interesting people are there staying with you and then you get to travel and drink with them. Of course, these are my two favorite things. :-)
- Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
- Best Moment
I loved the staying in Byron Bay, Australia. The hostel there was amazing and so were the people. We ended up staying an extra week there as apposed to 4 days.
- Worst Moment
Worst moment was in New Zealand (no names), I woke up with bed bug bites all over me.
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
I flew from Australia to New Zealand and my luggage was sent to Japan without me. For 3 days I had to go without anything but the clothes on my back and a ghetto toothbrush. So the first night I stayed in a hostel without my teddy or my PJs. Jeans are NOT confortable sleep wear, I usually do it pissed. Not to mention that I had to hop on a Stray Tour the next day so they met us in Raglan to give me my bag. But hey, it was an adventure :-)
- Biggest surprise?
The night I lost my luggage it was free drinks at the hostel if you stayed there. That made my night!
- Do you ever book any of your hostel accommodation in advance?
Sometimes
- Why or why not?
Some of the places we arrive very early in the morning. Other times there aren't many hostels in that area and to be on the safe side, I like verification.
- Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
I would have to say the most memorable person would be Parven. She is British and was the most amazing and fun person I think I have ever met. She just had this light around her that atrracted people to her. That was in Byron Bay, Australia. We all were inseparatable from her.
- Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
Hostels are cheaper and it is more of an open atmosphere. I feel safe and the people are just like you, travelling. I learned a lot just from listening to advice of travelling from others or stories of their homeland. I made a lot of great friends travelling around.
- Is there a hostel you'd recommend to other travelers? If so, what is it and where?
The Bunk House, Byron Bay, Australia
- What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
That they aren't safe and that they are dirty.
- Why do you like to travel?
I love to see change. I get very bored staying in one place too long. I am a very visual learner too, so the more I see, the more I know.
- What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
Ask advice of people already staying at that hostel or at that place. Sometimes there is a hidden hostel no one knows about, or is the one that is not as popular but is fantastic!
