- Current Age?
23
- Nationality
USA
- Where do you live now?
New York, USA
- Occupation
Full-time job hunting
- 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?
Sometimes a hostel, sometimes a hotel or B&B, etc
- Where have you hosteled?
Europe
- Would you stay in a hostel again on future trips?
Yes
- Why or why not?
I'd stay in a hostel to save money or to meet other people when I'm travelling alone.
- Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
- Best Moment
Having a 6-person room all to myself just when I needed a bit of privacy after a month of constantly being around strangers.
- Worst Moment
Having to check into the skankiest, dirtiest hostel in Dublin after having to change my travel plans at the last minute. (There was a huge rugby tournament and the entire city was booked up ages in advance.)
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
Sometimes all I wanted was a good shower!
- Biggest surprise?
I never expected I'd like the experience so much. Staying in hostels was the best experience in my life.
- Do you ever book any of your hostel accommodation in advance?
Sometimes
- Why or why not?
I made sure to book ahead when I knew I'd be arriving somewhere for the weekend. I also booked hostels for the first few weeks of my trip a month before I left home, mostly because I was paranoid I wouldn't be able to find anywhere once I got there.
- Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
I met a professional con artist in Dublin. It was interesting to watch him try to dupe people - he really had an amazing ability to sound convincing, but there was a point where his stories became too outrageous and people would see through the act. At least he was entertaining.
- Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
A hostel is a great place to meet people, especially as a lone traveller with little money and even less knowledge of the city I'm in. I never would have had half as much fun if I had enough money to stay in hotels and B&Bs all the time. I just never would have met so many great people. Of course, sometimes you just need the privacy of a single room and a bathroom that's all your own.
- Is there a hostel you'd recommend to other travelers? If so, what is it and where?
Donegal Independent Hostel, Donegal, Ireland
- What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
That they're just for poor students or homeless people who can barely scrape together enough cash to get a bed for the night. Yes, hostels do appeal mostly to young people with little cash, but hosteling is perfect for folks who want to spend more of their time out sightseeing than in a hotel room and want to use whatever money they've got to have a good time.
- Why do you like to travel?
To see what the rest of the world has to offer. I live in Long Island - it's boring here!
- What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
Talk to everyone you meet (if they're willing). People are full of some really interesting stories and even more really good advice if you're willing to listen.
