Hostels? It’s a travel strategy

Most people my age would never consider staying in a hostel. I used to be the same way even when I was young and traveled throughout my twenties and thirties without ever venturing in a hostel. I envisioned living with strangers in cramped, dirty and old rooms! What was I thinking?

My first foray into a hostel was in 2015, when my 16 year old daughter and I landed in Barcelona. I thought an environment with a few young people around would be good for her/me. I looked at the Hostelworld app and methodically reviewed each property.  Location✓ Best reviews✓ Facilities✓  Atmosphere✓

There was one property that looked good, Casa Gracia. Great reviews, modern and clean, great location. This hostel changed my mind about hostels. A couple had recently purchased the entire building and had a vision: ‘A cozy and inspiring hotel in the heart of Barcelona, where guests are our friends’. That’s what I’m taking about.  I accept that invitation.  The six floor Spanish modernist building has high ceilings and a huge staircase. I booked a private room with a bathroom and two beds and it was clean, modern and had the most amazing balcony overlooking Gracia. There were also social gatherings like Paella night. People were hanging out by the bar and lobby listening to music and exchanging info and stories. Even though we were only there few days it was our home away from home. This will definitely do!

She wanted to die, but she also wanted to live in Paris – Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovery

This property opened my eyes to the possibility of traveling in a way where you have outlets to be social, to live with people from around the world, to learn about people and places, to explore the area, to be safe amongst like minded travelers.

As an only child I enjoy my time alone but as a mostly solo traveler I enjoy being in a place with other travelers from around the world, young and old. It’s about options. When I feel the need, I will hang out, get coffee, converse, eat, do activities, talk about traveling with others. I have connected with dozens of people from around the world that I can keep in touch with or follow their journeys until our paths cross again.

Warning: Hostel life is not for everyone.  I would skip them if you are high maintenance, cannot play well with others, are not flexible and cannot climb to the top of a bunk bed.

The Good

Here are some of the most amazing places I stayed and what made the experience so fabulous:

Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers-When I traveled to Johannesburg South Africa I stayed in the heart of Soweto, need i say more? Lebo’s provided many opportunities for cultural immersion and learning.  Founded by Lebo Malepa who is credited with creating township tourism. From biking tours through the township, learning about the people, the culture, the leaders, visiting Mandela’s home, the Apartheid Museum, visiting the Hector Pieterson Memorial, stopping at a local food restaurant to sample the goods and finally eating a home cooked meal at the hostel that was exactly like US Southern food at its most delicious source.

Chaing Mai- learned about a fabulous cooking class that I took with several other people from the hostel. We walked to a local produce market which was vibrant and had so many different types of fruits and vegetables that i had never seen. I also learned about the Elephant Nature Park and spent a day walking with, feeding and washing several big pachyderms.

Travellers House – Lisbon – this hostel is on a walking street blocks from the water and the Cais das Calunas, easy to walk to the Castel another great location. Here during the free breakfasts met many fellow travelers and spent time exploring the castle area, heading out to dinner and even an evening with several of us going out to drink and listen to the traditional music of Lisbon – Fado. Also went out to a club with new friends and did a graffiti walking tour.