Travel Tuesday- Tales from the Hostels

The first morning I woke up in Picton, New Zealand, it hit me. The realisation came crashing down on me much like the stench did. I finally worked out why our room had a little placard hanging by the door that simply said:

“The Swamp”

Many hostels have themes, a character decorates them to pass on some of said character. I had become accustomed to this and had barely noticed. But this morning, it all changed. I don’t know what it is about that room, whether it cultivated scents from smelly hikers and hippy types, those there to “find themselves” which seemed to mean they lost the ability to shower. Maybe there was a Possum burial ground under the floorboards of this particular room. Whatever it was, since then I have been traumatised and have kicked myself at the flippancy with which I approached that insightful sign.

Since then I have learned a great deal about hostelling, and I thought I’d share it.

Firstly, things to pack that might not occur to you on first thought:

1. Small padlock- don’t take the risk of getting your passport and other valuables stolen. Don’t leave anything there while you’re out if you can help it, but at night you want to lock everything away.
   

   http://www.bgpadlocks.co.uk/

2. Ear Plugs/Eye masks- If you’re a light sleeper, you’ll need these. Especially in the capitals or major cities, people will be coming and going all night for the airport or excursions, and the world over there will be rude people who think its ok to put the light on a talk loudly to their travel buddy at 4am! If you snore, please get it looked at or buy some snoring aids, its not fun to have to share a space with someone like that for days!
   

   http://www.maximusgroup.ru/uploads/posts/2013-08/1376647732_33.jpg

3. Flip-flops- any similar shoes for the shower- you’re on your feet all the time travelling, and you need to look after them, and you don’t want to either contract or spread fungal nail infections!
   

   http://www.quickmeme.com

Helpful hints:

1. Always read customer reviews before you book to stay. Reading the hostel’s own site won’t let you know about the non stop parties next door, those creepy live in guys or the non existent fire escapes (?!).
   

   Amadeus Hostel Berlin on Tripadvisor.com Probably one to avoid

2. ALWAYS get a receipt when you have paid for your stay, every place without fail in Peru tried to make us pay twice, but luckily we had a receipt.
3. It is ok to ask to see the room before you agree to it!
4. Before you go shopping, check for a free food box in the kitchen of the hostel- you might find something unusual in there you could make a meal of or something you could tick off your list.
   

   http://unimelbadventures.com/

5. If you can help it, don’t stay in the really big dorms even though they are cheaper, if you actually want any sleep. The more people in one room, the higher the chance of noise and unsavoury habits. Its worth paying a bit more for a smaller room, honest!
   

   http://www.orienthostel.com/images/roomphotos/orjinal/30_bed_dorm_room_2.jpg

6. You can wash things like socks and pants in the shower, laundry is expensive! Just don’t go draping your underwear on other people’s beds…not cool.
   

   http://glamgrid.com

7. Talk to your room mates, they’re probably just as awesome as you are, and may also have useful tips if they’ve been in town longer than you. Plus they’re less likely to be rude or steal your stuff if you build a rapport with them. I’ve met some of the coolest people I know in dodgy hostel dorms. We got through it together.

And last but not least, if your room is named something like The Swamp, maybe ask to change room.
Check this site out, I just found it researching this post: Travel Fashion Girl