Solo Travel - Far From Lonely in LA

Solo Travel, LA, Santa Monica, Budget Travel, hostel, California

I realize I am quite behind on my LA updates. My only excuse is that I've been too busy regaling my tales to everyone I've run into that I haven't had enough time to write it down!

It's funny, but before I left home, people were asking almost accusingly what I thought I could find to keep me entertained for an entire week by myself. I appreciate their concern for my well being, as I'm sure everyone was just worried that I'd be incredibly bored... or end up the victim of someone who enjoys preying upon incredibly bored & lonely female tourists. However, I managed to placate most of my inquisitors and calm their concerns with the story that I would be content to merely sit and read on the beach all week, but in reality... I was hoping for a slightly more exciting holiday.

Last year when I took my first solo trip to New York City, I'll admit, I let my insecurities get the better of me & failed to venture very far out of my comfort zone. I went to several tourist sights by myself, trying my best to look inconspicuous while taking those awkward, one-arm-extended, self-portraits with my camera. Most of my meals were spent in restaurants, with my nose in a computer, avoiding eye contact... After all, since elementary school, I was taught never to talk to strangers; especially in a big city. Despite my extreme solitude, I ended up having an overall great experience, and I saw some amazing sights. But by about day 3, I was so starved for human interaction that I couldn't wait to get back home to my own friendly, southern culture, in which you are guaranteed to hear the entire life story of anyone you stand next to in the grocery line. (Usually including their most embarrassing of medical ailments...) But It was because of my lonely New York trip, that I came to California determined to do things differently!

Recently, a friend reminded me of a great quote by Eleanor Roosevelt--a challenge really, to "do one thing every day that scares you." Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? The higher the risk, the higher the reward, etc? Keeping this concept in mind, I found my (normally somewhat shy) self sitting in the hostel's lobby on my first night in LA. There was a pub-crawl scheduled that evening, so I staked out a spot and waited to see who showed up. I was still considering the possibility of chickening out and playing Angry Birds in my room for the rest of the night, but as a crowd of my fellow travelers began to gather, my sense of adventure finally began to surface. I was able to strike up a conversation with a girl standing nearby, and as it turned out, she was also traveling solo from her home in Vancouver, and trying to make up her mind whether to join the pub crawl. With a connection made, I realized very quickly that this was not some exclusive & judgemental high school clique. Almost all of these people were in the same unfamiliar situation as me & were also hoping to make friends with new people.

Throughout that night & the rest of my trip, I encountered travelers from at least 11 different countries and 5 continents. I had more fun than I've had in years! Ironically, I would say that this "solo" trip was far more social than any I've taken with friends in the past. And aside from all of the new people I was able to meet, I learned to more deeply appreciate my own company, as well as gaining confidence in my ability to take on new experiences...even the slightly scary ones.

If you are looking for a chance to grow as a person and challenge yourself... or even if you are just in grave need of a vacation, but can't find anyone with the time and resources to go with you, I highly recommend that you go online right now and book a plane ticket to somewhere you've never been! You will be surprised by what solo travel will enable you to discover about both the world around you and yourself!

More to come on LA later :)

My LA Experience - Take 2!

Up until my first visit to LA this past January, the West Coast held little defined interest for me. Coming from practical southern roots, I assumed SoCal would be filled with superficial-silicone cyborgs, traffic, excessive smog from said traffic, and scenery that I was sure I would find lacking in person. The mountains in the distance and beachy sunsets I've seen in pictures and movies must be all cardboard sets and CGI graphics... ultimately as fake as the aesthetically enhanced residents. Seriously... It couldn't really be THAT breathtaking in person.

Wow... Was I wrong. I'm now convinced that Hollywood elitists must have been paying a PR firm to culminate these negative images in the minds of southern and midwestern Americans, thus keeping the masses from immediately converging on paradise in an effort to prevent further overpopulation and inflation of property values in the SoCal area.

Aside from the consistently 72F and sunny conditions (um...with no humidity...in which my hair is almost always perfect with little to no effort, thank you!), it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what charms me so much about LA, but altogether, the culture seems to suit me. Not necessarily the perceived Hollywood culture... I have no intentions of getting a boob job and carrying a chihuahua as an accessory, but the breezy attitude, the happiness to be outside and active, and the wider appreciation of other cultures... Yeah I dig it. I think with all of the joggers, cyclists, and yoga-mat toting residents around, this southern girl could easily find the motivation to lose some of the biscuit and gravy residuals I've been carrying around on my hips.

Well I am back in this lovely place, with my first stop being a Baja Fresh near my hostel. I might have chosen something a bit more exotic as my first meal back in Cali and saved this one for later, but after not eating between 9am Eastern time until 4pm Pacific time (that's 10 hours... I think...?) because I decided against eating during my layover in Houston, I just needed something in walking distance and fast. (P.S. My Mahi Mahi tacos and Salsa Roja are totally hitting the spot!)

I have this tendency to fall in love with every new destination I visit and immediately start planning my permanent relocation there. I've had the same response to LA, Savnnah, Florida, New York City, and Chicago. I've yet to put my house on the market and start circulating resumes in any of these areas... But looking around here at Santa Monica, this could be the place to push me over that edge!

I hope all of you out in the blogosphere are having as great of a day as me! Now, I'm off to the Santa Monica Pier!

Top Airfare Apps for Smartphones

Smartphones and tablet devices have added a lot of convenience and value to my travel within the US. Thanks to my iPhone4, as long as I am still traveling in a service area for my carrier, I eliminate the need to carry a bulky laptop with me to look up info, and I'm also able to have conveniently in one device: a GPS navigation system, an eReader and games for killing time, and a high quality camera with 720p video recording for those memorable moments on-the-go.  It is thanks to iPhone apps that I have found some of the most unbelievable travel deals, so I thought I would share a few of my favorites, starting with Airfare Apps.

This post is based on the Apple App Store, but several of these apps are also available in the Android Market!

When to Fly by FareCompare

App Cost: FREE

Also on Android? Not at this time

This is probably my favorite travel app, and one that I can attest to personal success with! My favorite feature is that it allows you to set up alerts from your home airports with a range of dates to your preferred destinations and it will send you Push notifications when a great fare is published. It was through this process that I found a round trip ticket from Cincinnati, OH to Los Angeles International for only… (Seriously)… $174!! With the average fare for this flight has run around $350-$400, this saved me over 50%! Deals this great don’t necessarily happen everyday, and if one pops up, you must be ready to book immediately. These rates are generally only for a few seats per flight and sell out within minutes. Keep in mind also that the further out you are planning for your trip, the greater chance you’ll have of finding one of these great deals. It’s best to set your alerts about 6 months in advance.

In addition to the alert function, the app will automatically use your location to display the best fares for popular destinations from your nearest airport, which can give you a great chance to find other trip ideas at a great price!

Kayak Mobile

App Cost: FREE

Also on Android? YES

Kayak is a great multi-functional travel app. It allows you a lot of functionality in your airfare searches, like automatically checking flights at other nearby airports or on other days close to your suggested departure in case there are better deals if you’re dates are flexible. This app also allows for hotel searches and car rentals and includes all kinds of other handy tools like a currency converter and a listing of various airlines’ fees.

Southwest Airlines

App Cost: FREE

Also on Android? YES

Southwest is definitely one of the cheaper commercial airlines in the US. Aside from their popular “no checked bag fee” policy, they frequently run deals throughout the year with rates as low as $39 one way to some locations. (Watch in late June to early July for their big anniversary sale which has some of the best deals.) In general, I don’t find Southwest to be consistently the cheapest carrier, but when you do get a deal… it is a DEAL. Also be sure to sign up for DING! fare alerts on this app. These notifications will let you know of daily specials running from your home airport. Again, be ready to book fast when you see a deal you want, as they are always for a limited number of seats.

A Destination in Review - Savannah, GA

Probably the city most credited for my "travel-awakening" is Savannah, Georgia. In the past 4 years, I have managed to visit Savannah 3 times, each trip being a Girls’ weekend with one of my best friends from college. Though I have yet to take a solo trip to Savannah, this city would be perfect for any traveler, whether solo, in a group, or looking for a romantic getaway. Its rich history, inspiring Fine Art’s culture, laid-back Southern charm, and amaaaazing food all make it a top destination that will not disappoint! There is an array of great hotels, ranging from the reasonably priced chain, to the extravagant-beyond-belief, located within the Historic District. Because of the layout of the Historic District, anywhere you stay in the area will give you access within walking distance to entertainment; shopping, dining, night-life, and plenty of site seeing!

A few things you won’t want to miss while you are there:

Paula Deen’s famous buffet, The Lady & Sons! - As a Food Network fan, this is initially what brought me to Savannah. I thought this would be the highlight, but I had no idea the other charms this southern jewel had waiting for me. If you plan on dining here, you will want to join the line on Congress St before 9am to get your lunch reservation. (They do not take phone reservations, except for parties over 10.) You won’t have to wait for long to put your name in as the line moves quickly & then you’ll be able to do some sight seeing with your morning. Reserving your space early is a much shorter wait then showing up closer to lunch when you are already hungry. Plus this is the south… It gets hot in the afternoon so you’ll be happy you choose to do your waiting in the cool of the morning.

City Market – This is a lovely little area with several restaurants and galleries situated in the heart of the district. While you are here, I recommend stopping in at Belford’s Seafood and Steaks around lunch time for some sweet tea and a Savannah delicacy known as She-Crab Stew! It is a creamy-buttery-melt-in-your-mouth experience beyond comprehension. I found the service at this restaurant was mediocre, but the stew is well worth a slightly inattentive waiter. Afterwards, save some room for dessert and head across the way to the Savannah’s Candy Kitchen for one of their famous Pecan Pralines or Chocolate Pecan Pralines. On a Friday or Saturday evening, City Market is also a great place to hear live music and a have a small serving of Italy’s sweetest treat at Gelat-Ohhh! 

River Street –From Bay St, walking down steeply inclined stone steps that date back to the 1700’s, (there is also an elevator if your knees don’t permit the hike) you’ll feel immediately like you are entering another period in time. All the way up and down the Savannah River, you’ll find lots of shopping, restaurants, and of course…pubs. You’ll find opportunities for karaoke, dancing, and belting out an old Irish drinking song or two. You’ll also notice the lack of open-container laws in the area. Bars there do not seem to be offended if you walk in still holding a beverage from another establishment & I was shocked when a restaurant actually offered me a to-go cup for my beer… This city of the south appears to have gotten rid of its “blue laws” a long time ago. 

Other Savannah Establishments & Attractions Worth Mention:

Me, Colleen, and a Candy-Appletini at Jazz'd Tapas Bar

Jazz’d Tapas Bar (Barnard St) - Jazz'd closes earlier in the evening, but it has a very classy atmosphere and is great for lighter fare and tasty cocktails. On occasion you will catch a live blues band or Crooner there to entertain you.

Fried Green Tomatos at Vic's On the River

Vic’s On the River (River St) - You'll find incredible southern gourmet food and a charming atmosphere. The staff here will make you feel like part of the Southern Gentry as you relax to the  melodies of their live baby grand piano player! I recommend trying the Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade and for dessert the Sweet Potato Crème Brule!

Sweet Melissa’s (Whitaker St) - The perfect place for your late night pizza craving!

SCAD Campus and Surrounding Art Galleries - You’ll also find quite a bit of shopping in the area around W Broughton St—including both retail chains and unique resale/ vintage shops.

The Dolphin Tour Boat

Savannah River Dolphin Tours – I was thoroughly surprised by how exciting this tour was! The guides will take you out several miles where you’ll get a great view of the city from the river as well as some of the out lying islands along Georgia and South Carolina’s coast. If you’re lucky like we were, you’ll also get an up close and personal greeting from a pod of wild dolphins! 

Things I Will Pass On Next Time:

Savannah Trolley Tours – It is fun to ride around in the trolley, but our tour guide, while knowledgeable about the city, was less than charismatic. If you can’t handle lots of walking this may still be a good option for you, but I recommend spending the few extra dollars for the “on-off” tour so that you can exit the tour at various points to explore the most interesting areas.

Savannah River Boat Cruise – I really looked forward to this excursion, but it was a sore disappointment. The river boat is beautiful from the outside, but the inside is quite dank and outdated...dirty even. I knew we’d made the right choice to skip the dinner cruise and opt for a moon-lit tour as soon as we made it up the river (toward the industrial end for some reason.) Our appetites were quickly ruined by a pungent sulfur smell that wafted from the shipping yards. If the tour owners manage to renovate the boats’ interiors and start taking the boat in the other direction, down the river, I think it could have real potential.  

For those of you who have been to Savannah, what did I miss? Please comment on the blog to share your favorites as well!

Hostel 101: Part 2 Booking & Preparing for Your Stay

I will admit, that as I prepared for my first experience at a hostel, I was nervous and overwhelmed because it was such a foreign concept to me. Once I arrived, I quickly realized that there were things I wish I'd known before I got there, but I adapted in no time and realized there were ways to work around every obstacle. Sometimes, the challenges and lessons learned are what make the experience. But... here are a few tips I can offer to make your inaugural hosteling experience minimally stressful:

Choosing and Booking Your Hostel

Research before you book! Use online resources to make sure that the hostel where you end up will be the best one for your travel-style. Every hostel can be a bit different. Are you planning to party all night  on your trip, or do you want a more laid back atmosphere so you can relax? Using a site like Hostel World will give you access to most of the information you will need to make a decision as to which is right for you, including reviews from other travelers who have stayed in each hostel before.

A few things to consider:

1. Location! Location! Location!--The best part about hostels is that they are usually located in very accessible areas, close to all of the action. Consider if the hostel is located near public transit or in walking distance of attractions.  If not, will you be renting a car, and is there parking available nearby? How much will parking cost?

2. Amenities and Services--Does the hostel provide airport pick up and drop off? Are linens and towels included in the cost of your room or is there an extra fee? Does the hostel offer tours and events? Are any meals included? Will there be a charge for Wi-Fi? Is the hostel 24 hour access or is there a curfew?

3. Guest Ratings--Keep in mind that a business can't please every person, so your hostel doesn't necessarily need a 100% satisfaction rating. Typically, if you find a property with at least a 75%, you will do well on your stay. But don't ignore the advise and warnings of prior travelers. Read their comments and decide if the complaints are things you can deal with. Travelers will often leave a few valuable tips on fun things to do in the area. 

4. Memberships and Travel Insurance--Many not-for-profit hostels will require you to become a member to stay at their property or pay and extra daily fee. I became a member of Hostelling International & found that it was well worth the initial $28 investment. Not only did the membership come with free travel insurance (a very wise idea--you never know what can happen!) and discounts on tours and area attractions, but HI gave me a discount code for a free night. The membership more than paid for itself!

5. Room Type and Cost--Many hostels have a variety of room types to choose from. If you are traveling solo, most hostels will only allow you to reserve a bed in a same sex dorm, but if you are with a group there are co-ed dorms available. As well, you can usually chose between a basic dorm room (bathrooms and showers are usually locate don the same floor) or a room with an ensuite bathroom that you will only share with your bunk mates. The occupancy of a dorm will typically range between 4 to 12 bunks and several locations will have at least a few private rooms available. Of course, a dorm with fewer beds or an added bathroom will usually cost a few dollars more per night.

Preparing for Your Hostel Stay

One of the unique issues of hostels vs. hotels is that of storage space. In a hotel, you can lay your suitcase & belongings out anywhere, but in a hostel, you are sharing your space with several others. Along with not taking up more than your fair share of the space, you want to make sure you can keep any valuables safe. Generally, when you rent a bed, a locker will also be assigned with it. However, most facilities expect you to supply your own lock, or you may be able to purchase one at the front desk. These lockers tend to be large enough to store your carry-on sized luggage as well as a laptop case or purse. I myself have mastered the art of traveling light, so fitting everything into the locker has never been a problem for me. But if you don't quite have a knack for traveling without your entire wardrobe & closet of shoes, or if you must take pricey equipment with you, call the hostel and see if they have other storage options available, such as additional lockers for rent or a luggage storage service. If your larger bag just contains clothes and items of lesser value, I frequently encounter large suitcases left out in guest rooms with no issues. 

Top items to pack that you might not naturally consider:

1. A Lock. For your locker. You need one.

2. Earplugs. People sometimes snore at night. You probably do too on occasion, but people are too polite to tell you. Deal with it. If you are a particularly light sleeper though, you may consider bringing Benedryl or Unisome along to help you out for the first night until you adjust to the surroundings. I don't recommend using any prescription sleep aids though. An "Ambien Episode" amid a room of total strangers could prove for some very embarrassing stories.

3. Shower shoes. Not to worry, because I frequently run into Housekeeping at hostels as they are cleaning the bathroom, but just as they were in the college dorms, a pair of cheap flip-flops for the stand-up showers are not a bad idea.

4. Beach Towel. Usually a towel will be included with your linens at the hostel, but if you plan on going to the beach or going swimming, it's a good idea to make room in your bag for an extra one of your own.

5. Toiletries. Unlike fancy hotels, you won't find mini, doll-sized bottles of herbal shampoo left out on the counter. Nice hostels will have a liquid soap dispenser in the shower stall, but if you need to condition, bring your own or plan to buy some when you arrive.

6. Hairdryer. This is NOT at all a necessity, since every hostel I have been to has been nice enough to have hair dryers in the women's bathroom/ shower areas. However... in the mornings, during high traffic times, it can be difficult getting access to one of these devices & to not feel rushed when it's finally your turn. If you have room in your luggage, your own beauty appliances are a "nice to have." There are great travel-sized models available for dryers, straighteners and curling irons alike. But if you are lucky enough to be naturally beautiful or you don't plan on getting "gussied" up for anything, a hat and a pony tail holder will suffice to cover any hair emergencies.

For more information on hostelling in the US, see my previous blog: 

Hostel 101: A Guide for the Misinformed American Traveler

The Lady’s Guide to Packing Light for Warm Destinations

Any gentlemen readers out there may feel a little left out on this post… But let’s face it, most of you pack for trips by sniffing a few t-shirts and pairs of underwear to make sure they seem clean and throw them into whatever bag you can pull out of the attic.

But girls…we like to be prepared. For EVERYTHING.

Even if we know we’ll probably just spend our travels shopping and sitting on the beach, never once requiring anything more than flip flops and a swim suit cover-up, we feel we should pack outfits “just in case.” You know… just in case we get invited out to a fine restaurant or say…to meet the Queen. But in a world of $25 checked baggage fees (each way!) and the long lines at the check in counters, it’s a great asset to be able to fit everything you need into one carry on bag. Here are a few things I always consider when packing my bags…

1. The necessities. You probably can’t go without your basic toiletries and underwear so pack these first.  Luckily, these don’t take up much space. Since airlines require you to limit your liquids to 3oz bottles or smaller all fitting into one quart sized bag, it is easy to control your urges to go overboard on products. You may even want to just plan on buying some things once you’re there, or if you are staying in a hotel, consider if you can survive on their tiny complimentary toiletries for one week.
2. Pack as many lightweight fabrics as possible. Sundresses are great for warm destinations. They’re comfortable, look cute, and they usually take up very little room in your bag. Also you can generally pack a few accessories to make the dress appropriate for either day or night.
3. Mix & Match. Take pieces that you can wear in different ways. You might be able to wear a top with a flowy skirt for a daytime look at the beach and then wear that same top with jeans and heels for a cute “going out” ensemble.
4. Accessories!! Belts, scarves, or pieces of costume jewelry can do wonders to change up an outfit! The best part is, they are generally small, so feel free to pack several options. Just avoid bringing anything of extreme value. Stick to traveling with things that are easily replaceable.
5. Don’t take every pair of jeans you own. Denim is generally bulky and also very hot. If you can, just live without jeans altogether for your trip, but if not, just take your favorite pair that you can wear with the most outfits. Luckily denim is a fabric you can wear more than once between washings without it looking (or smelling) unkempt. Just try not to spill...
6. DON’T take every pair of shoes you own. I generally take one pair of flip flops for the beach or pool, one comfortable pair of walking around shoes, and one pair of dressy heels for that just in case event. I mean, do you really plan to go sight seeing and walk around for hours in your stilettos? No matter how cute they are, that’s a bad idea…
7. Go back over what you’ve laid out to pack before stuffing it all in the bag. I can’t tell you how many times I have taken my entire closet on a trip and then ended up never wearing ¾ of the stuff. Ask yourself, realistically how likely you are to wear various items, and you can usually pull a few things out. You don’t want a totally packed suitcase. Why?
8. Vacation Shopping! I’m a girl that hates to go near the mall when I am at home, but put me in a different city & I am ready to tear up the outlet malls and boutiques looking for deals and great pieces that I can’t get back home. You’ll want to leave plenty of room in your bag for new items you might find. If you know for a fact you will be shopping, you might even want to only take one or two extra outfits in your bag and plan to get your wardrobe for the rest of the trip once you are there!
9. Roll, don't fold. It's a thing and it'll change your life! Not only will you be able to fit way more in your roll-aboard suit case or back pack, but it makes your items less likely to wrinkle in the mean time! The military uses an even more precise method often called the Ranger Roll or Navy Roll. I usually just...roll. But if you want to learn the uber efficient precision method, click this link! http://youtu.be/tPYlSOAnijA
10. Electronics & Gadgets. Take the phone, maybe the tablet. But leave the laptop at home if you can.  My iPhone 6 Plus is my new favorite travel item! Now I have all the technology I need in one (almost) pocket-sized device and I can almost always leave my Laptop, iPad and Cannon dSLR camera at home, unless I need them for something specific. It's less of your expensive items to keep track of and less to weigh you down. Just don’t forget to pack your charger, and remember not to leave it behind. From my previous experience working in the hotel industry, I can tell you that phone chargers are the #1 most left behind item in hotel rooms!

LA Bound!

Basically, the only way I manage to console myself after returning to the "real world" from a trip is to immediately start planning and looking towards the next escape, even if it is months away. Planning for a trip is almost (but not quite) as exciting as actually going! I don't try to map out every waking moment, and print off detailed itineraries, but I love to search sites like Yelp, Zagat, and Four Square for interesting restaurants I'd like to visit or special events in the area.

I began thinking about a return visit to the Los Angeles area before I even boarded the flight home, this past January. I had spent less than 3 days in California at the tail end of a Las Vegas trip, and discovered it wasn't nearly long enough. I mean really...80F and 0% humidity in January?!? How could I not fall in love? Thanks to an iPhone airfare app that alerted me to an unbelievably cheap round trip rate to LAX (we're talking under $200 in total...jealous you didn't see it first??) I will be returning in exactly two weeks!

A few of the highlights I'm planning for this time:

* A one day intensive Stand Up Comedy Class in Hollywood!

* Gourmet Food Trucks  

* Karaoke at the Gaslight in Santa Monica

* Reading If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster (my favorite author!) on the beach...

*And of course I'll be getting my fix at Baja Fresh and In'N'Out Burger!!

If you should see me with my eyes a little dreamy and glazed over in the next several days, it's because mentally, I'm already on my way. Bon voyage!!

Hostel 101: A Guide for the Misinformed American Traveler

I’m not inherently wealthy, so a lot of people wonder how in the world I manage to afford to travel as often as I do. There are all kinds of practical budget tips and discount sites I’ve stumbled upon to make travel more affordable, but the biggest asset that I have discovered in the last few years is the hostel.

Though hostels are a very common style of accommodations in Europe and other areas of the world, few Americans are even familiar with the concept. I have benefited greatly from their availability in regions where I would have been priced out of the hotel market, so I wanted to take the opportunity to dispel some of the common misconceptions that might be keeping other adventure-hungry individuals from realizing their full travel potential!

Myth #1: Hostels are a European concept and are not available in the US

I was amazed to discover just how many hostels there are within the US, especially in larger cities. Hostels such as those in New York and Chicago range from buildings that cover an entire city block and have occupancy available for several hundred travelers at a time, to houses that have been converted into more cozy accommodations.  To see if there is a hostel available in your next travel destination, one of my favorite sites is HostelWorld.com It works in a very similar style to Hotels.com in that it allows travelers who have stayed to leave comments and reviews on the property so you have a more realistic view of what to expect and can make an informed decision as to what location will best fit your needs.   

Myth #2: Hostels within the US are for foreign travelers only

You will want to verify the policies of the particular hostel you are looking to stay in because these rules do vary, but many hostels will gladly accept US residents as long as your place of residence is far enough away according to the hostel’s guidelines. One of the larger organizations, Hostelling International consistently accommodates US residents as long as you live outside of the state of your destination.

Myth #3: Hostels are not safe

Ok, Seriously people. It was just a movie!!!

When I discuss my travels with a new person and mention hostels, inevitably, the first thing they bring up is the 2005 horror film Hostel. I’m a bit annoyed that this one unfortunate movie (or two if anyone actually saw the sequel) has caused so many people to dismiss this very practical concept as something dangerous and frightening.

Remember summer camp as a kid? Remember your freshman year of college in the dorms? This is the type of arrangement that you’ll be getting yourself into:

NOT this:



Honestly, the scariest thing I have ever encountered at a hostel is not having an outlet close enough to my bunk to charge my phone…

Myth #4: It’s really awkward to share a room with strangers

You’ll be surprised by how quickly you can acclimate to the situation. Keep in mind that most travelers are in the same boat as you. They are strangers in an unfamiliar area who probably don’t know anyone locally. Remember when Mom used to tell you not to be afraid of insects because they are more scared of you than you are of them? This is often the case with your bunk mates as well; except I’ve never met a fellow-traveler that I had to concern myself with the potentials of poisonous venom… At least not that I know of.

Some people assume that sharing sleeping quarters with strangers as opposed to staying in a private hotel room would be risky. But my argument to this is that you actually have added safety in numbers. Think about it… If someone breaks into your hotel room while you are by yourself, who is going to save you? Even if you scream, your neighbors will more than likely assume something raunchy is going on through the walls rather than take the initiative to investigate… But in a hostel, with 4-10 beds in the average room, who is going to try to attack you with that many witnesses?

In all seriousness though, and I can’t stress this enough— Hostels take great care to ensure the safety of their guests. Safe, affordable accommodations that give the average person an opportunity to see the world is pretty much the whole idea. In facilities where I have stayed, there are key-card access points to even get to a floor where guest rooms are located and also 24 hr supervision of the front desk next to the only entrance. Men’s and women’s dorms are usually kept separate, though for mixed groups many will have co-ed accommodations also available.  

Myth #5: Hostels are only appropriate when traveling in large groups

If you are traveling with a group of 4 or more individuals, then hostels may very well be your best option. Many locations will have more private rooms available for groups traveling together. But the reason that I loooove hostels is that they are IDEAL for the solo traveler. If you are like me and too anxious to get out into the world to wait on friends who have the time & money to accompany you, a hostel provides you with controlled opportunities to meet other travelers to hang out with. Most hostels host cheap or even free tours, as well as pub crawls, barbeques, and movie or game nights to give you a chance to interact with others. And since you won’t have anyone to split the cost of a hotel room with, it will almost certainly be your cheapest option.

Myth #6: Only hippies stay in hostels

It’s true that the laid-back, free spirits of the world tend to be drawn to the hostelling experience & chances are you will encounter some granola types. But if that isn’t your scene, fear not. In my stays at hostels I have encountered people of all different kinds, including students, internationals, and business travelers. In my opinion, the variety of people you’ll get to know is what gives travel it’s richness and makes the experience memorable.

This is just the start to my blog series on hostelling. I'd love to know what other questions you all may have, or if you would like to contribute a hosteling experience of your own, please contact me at BrkFstAtTiffs@gmail.com!

And for more information on hostelling in the US, visit my next blog:
Hostel 101: Part 2 Booking & Preparing for Your Stay

Why Travel

For the majority of Americans I interact with on a daily basis, a "vacation" is just seen as the opportunity to do nothing for 1 or 2 weeks each year, and "travel" is merely the alternative for that person who prefers to "do nothing" on a breezy beach instead of staying at home on the couch... Ultimately, I keep encountering this idea that travel is the anti-work; the anti-responsible--and therefore I take a bit of flack for the unsusally high number of trips I take each year. It's often conveyed to me that this is not something a wise person commits a large portion of their time and money to--at least until they reach retirement age when their investments are already settled and life is winding down. I guess the thought is that I should forego travel to prepare for having a family someday and to build up my nest at home; to prepare for "real life."  For me though, the experience of travel is real life. Is it not far more beneficial to see and experience new places than to invest my money into fancy furnishings (that children would end up destorying anyway) and a big screen TV on which I can observe other people seeing & experiencing life? Personally... I prefer to experience life from the "1st person" perspective.

The benefits of traveling go so far beyond an opportunity to decompress from the strain of a day-job, although I won't minimize that advantage. When a person spends 40+ hours every week amidst the ever-repetitive, daily grind, it can be difficult to connect to any deeper purpose in life. Taking some time to step out of our usual existence that is defined by "what we DO" gives us a chance to change perspectives, take deep breaths, and learn "who we ARE," and most importantly how we, as individuals, fit into the bigger picture of this world we all share.

The knowledge a person gains from seeing, tasting, touching, interacting with, and learning from real-life experiences can never be matched in a book or a classroom. Sure, you can visit a neighborhood Italian restaurant chain & curl up to Eat, Pray, Love to imagine a contrived idea of what it might feel like to walk the streets of Rome, but can that ever convey to you the awe of standing in the shadows of the Coliseum? Or teach you how to communicate with a person who speaks another language? It may give you plenty of fodder for daydreams & vague impressions, but it's unlikely that it will ever give you that cognitive understanding that people all over the world, despite differences in customs & traditions, are ultimately just like you in how they need, hunger, love, and dream.

So many prejudices and so much lack of compassion exists in the world, because we don't always make it a priority to learn about the lives and perspective of others. And out of what we neglect to understand-- fear grows, judgement grows, and eventually hate grows. It wasn't until I started following world-wide affairs that I began to understand just how "small" my own world is and how little my base of knowledge covers. My day to day reality is not the reality of people in Cambodia or the Middle East, or for that matter, it isn't even necessarily the reality of another middle-class, twenty-something, woman in New York City or across the street from me. It's true that you have to walk a mile in another man's shoes before you can begin to understand him... But sometimes you need to fly or drive a few thousand miles & abandon your comfort zones in order to start that journey towards understanding.