BY: Taylor on a Trip
I’ve already dissected some of the stereotypes about hostels that are untrue. Now it’s time to flip the coin and see which ones are.
1. You will meet some incredible people
What a better place to meet likeminded people than in a hostel? Hostel-goers are all budget-conscious travellers who, by the nature of things, are rarely hoity-toity or high-maintenance. So strike up a conversation with your bunkmate or smoke a joint with that guy in the lobby wearing the Bob Marley T-shirt. Hostels are a budget-friendly option, but good conversation is always free.
2. Hostels are full of Australians
You will meet some incredible people, and half of the time those people will be from Oz. A study conducted by VISA reported that 76 per cent of all Aussies travel for leisure. The question remaining however is why? I think the abundance of Aussies staying in hostels happens for a few reasons: Firstly, in Australia after high school it is customary to take a gap year before university to travel. Secondly, Australians are often granted a minimum of four weeks vacation time a year, so in a relatively financially well-off country, it makes sense to use that time to travel. Thirdly, in a nation founded by relatively new-to-Oz immigrants, familial and cultural roots are often found elsewhere, leading to self-exploration. That being said, the Aussies I have met in my travels have been some of the kindest and most adventurous people.
3. Young British men may drunkenly wake you up at 3 a.m. by farting uncontrollably
So I’m bringing this idea to the table from a personal experience I had while staying at a hostel in Dublin. What I’m getting at with this is that no matter how good your earplugs are and how great your eye mask is, people will find a way to wake you up in the middle of the night – it’s just what happens when you are in a room with a bunch of strangers. Do these people a karma favour and turn on your blow dryer first thing in the morning while they’re in the beginning stages of their hangover (or don’t, whatever, I can be kind of an asshole).
4. Hostels can be incredibly inexpensive
Depending on where in the world you decide to stay and the demand for that hostel, prices can vary widely. For a standard 12 or six bed dorm, I have paid anywhere from $10 CAD a night, to $40 a night. Private rooms usually run a little pricier, but they’ve always been cheaper than a hotel.
5. Hostels offer plenty of free activities
Between the free breakfasts most hostels offer, I’ve taken part in pub-crawls, movie nights, walking tours, and all-you-can-eat spaghetti nights. These functions are especially great for meeting new people, so be sure to check out the bulletin boards and sign up.
Follow Taylor on her adventures here: tayloronatrip.com
Image sources: gomio.com, itsthewanderlust.com
