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

Travel Tuesday: What Travelling Does For Me

When you think about embarking on an adventure, you only think about what you’ll be taking with you; not much thought goes into what you’ll bring back with you, or the you that you’ll bring back.

When I left, I had no idea about the world, about responsibility, money management, organisational skills….anything really.

Having to book everything yourself, accounting for budget and time scale, fly by the seat of your pants to cope with the many unforeseen mess ups, and make the most of the roller coaster ride, it is a practice run for life.

Besides the obvious, there’s the social skills and self confidence you pick up, and all the amazing things you learn about the world and the amazing humans that inhabit it. The things that challenge you, like if you’re a fussy eater, or have creature phobias and are in exotic parts of the world, or more direct things like sky diving, bungy jumping or swimming with sharks, facing and mastering these fears and challenges make you a stronger person and give you the confidence and perspective you need to deal with the banalities and niggling problems of daily life without letting them get to you.

If I can jump out of a plane at 12,000 ft, I can probably give this ten minute presentation.

Carrying your life on your back, if you’re going for a backpacking trip, teaches you LOTS about packing, and possessions. It has to be functional to earn a ride, because it is not fun dragging crap around on your back all the time. You view things not by how stylish they are, or how cool they are, but whether you really genuinely need them. Whether a bulky item can be used as a pillow as well, if the tech is really necessary or it’s just going to stress you out worrying if its been stolen or lost, or how many pairs of underwear you really need if you can take them in the shower with you to wash them. I became a minimalist when it comes to stuff, and I treasure things like ticket stubs and tickets, carrying precious memories, a lot more than the things we don’t really need.

And of course, there’ll be that sunset. That mountain range, trail, hut, forest, glacier, fjord. That whale, dolphin, penguin, shark, condor, eagle. That sight that hardly anyone in the world has seen.

Something like you’ve never seen before and that feeling in your chest of being truly alive. That evening with the best new friends, and old ones too. The new cities, cultures, customs, music, food, challenges. Freedom.

I can’t stress enough how valuable it is to yourself to get out into the world. If you start small, or embark on an epic round the world trip, either way you’re in for something incredible and the most expansive learning curve ever. You’ll come back being a much better, smarter, awake, aware person than you left. It is almost indescribable.

Go..

Travel Tuesday- Berlin

Oh, Germany. I do love you so.

Berlin, wow. You stunner you. One of the top cities of the world, no arguments. The fantastic mixture of extraordinary history, with the wall ever present but now decorated and left as a reminder rather than a divide, the bohemian and ramshackle Kunsthaus (I was lucky enough to visit Kunsthaus Techeles before it was shut down, see here), overflowing with creativity, the metropolitan and modern elements, the exquisitely punctual transport system that will dazzle any Brit (the trains arrive on time…to the SECOND).

I can’t say that I am overly interested in History, particularly that of such intense human cruelty, but the events that shaped Berlin are respectfully remembered and even I found myself enthralled, imagining what it must have been like to live in partitions, what it might have looked like had the wall remained, how the east and west still differ (the pedestrian crossing lights are famous examples). From space Berlin still shows its fractured history via the different types of lightbulbs used to light the streets:

I must admit most of the in depth history has escaped me, but the wall caught my attention.

There are, of course, many a museum, art gallery, and memorial. My last visit was somewhat whirlwind and my brain fuzzy from birthday celebrations, so forgive me for the less comprehensive review this week.

Another place I adore, is the suburb of Potsdam. The quieter, cobbled, town has a massive park filled with palaces, And the Waschbar is somewhere not to be missed.

So here’s my list of things I love in Berlin:

• The Brandenburg gate and around, the long strip is a great place for people watching, touristing, and general exploration, some important government buildings nearby that are impressive and sometimes hosting visitors, the last time I went there was disruption as Cameron was visiting.
• The area around Kunsthaus Tacheles (Mitte?) and the artsy vibes of similar surviving art houses
• Checkpoint Charlie (though there is a great sign etc, there is also a McDonald’s nearby…)
• The East side Gallery an incredible thing not to be missed! A long stretch of wall was turned into an outdoor gallery. There are bits of the wall all over the city, here’s a couple I took pictures of, I’m afraid I don’t have as many photos this time:
• Potsdam. About an hour on the cool double decker trains, pottering through a greener area, the town centre is quaint yet still Berlin cool, a mixture of posh shops and the more unusual shops with lovely trinkets and the like for sale.
• Sanssouci Park is gorgeous, you could wander, lounge, and explore for hours. With the impressive buildings, like the Orangery, or Sanssouci Palace (meaning: carefree, giving you an idea of the park):

as well as more delicate features, like the little Chinese House:

•  The Waschbar right by the park. Drink a Galau on the patio, eat some good food, ponder the unexplained aliens on the roof, wash your clothes…you name it. Its awesome. Don’t miss it! 

There’s so much to see and do in Berlin. Its very alive, lots of art and music, loads that I’ve forgotten to put in or haven’t even seen yet. Berlin is very much a work in progress for me. Make sure to look out for Flea markets, and the chance to get some really unique antiques!

Is there anything I’ve left out that you think really needs a mention? I’m afraid I can’t comment on the Hostels as I stayed with a friend every time I have been there so far, can you help us out with that? Do you live there or have you seen some unique things there that you want to let us in on? Let me now down below!

Travel Tuesday: New York City

This city. You would need a book on it. I don’t know how I’m going to put everything I love about it into words! I’ll try and put in my favourite things and some Hostel reviews. This is a great excuse to re-read my journal, in fact I thought I would include an excerpt for my first impressions:

Sun, Aug 11, 2013:

Spent a while getting on my feet- planned on heading to Greenwich village & east village today. Passed by 23rd St for the Chelsea Hotel, beautiful and famous, though somewhat scaffolded at this point. From there I headed east as far as 5th avenue to where the bizarre and stunning Flatiron building stands. Sat and marvelled. Smelled the street meat. Sounds weird but the city so far is just like in the movies. Everywhere, loud dramatic vital conversation, every New Yorker shouting life or death into their phone, and a constant flow of racing yellow taxicabs going, going, going, and honking and shouting at the slightest thing. Crossings are frankly scary but my method of following crowds or locals is thus far working well. Big water towers break up the skyline and iron ladders zig zag towards them on the sides of buildings. Am surprised how often I stumble across a beautiful green park squashed in amongst towers and shops and rushing traffic. I already adore this place.

I could go on for a whole book about it (I kind of did) so instead here’s a list of my favourite things. The thing is, my very favourite thing was just being there, exploring it block by block, getting used to everything. I spent over two weeks there in between excursions to other places, and each time I went back it felt like I was going home, each time I felt more and more confident navigating both the streets and the subway, and I nearly exploded with pride when people started asking me for directions and help. It gets under your skin, and I was very apprehensive about dropping myself into such a huge city, as I have always been living in the country or on farms! But it was awesome, I loved it. Everything is there, and everyone is living, passionate and real, they all have opinions, they are into everything, accept everyone. And the foooood!!!

It blew me away walking down Christopher St behind two massive skinhead, tattooed guys openly and happily hand in hand. I was so glad I saw that they felt comfortable being themselves there. Such a stark contrast to around here. It kind of summed up what an awesome place it is.

So I can’t ramble forever, thought I should be more specific. Here goes! I didn’t see every street or club/restaurant as I was partly travelling alone but mainly on a serious budget, but I tried lots of new and amazing stuff. This isn’t an exhaustive ‘guide’ by any means. The Trip Advisor app really helped me out when I was there, and you’ll have free wi-fi basically city wide, though the app works offline too. The only other thing you’re really going to need, is comfy walking shoes. NYC is meant for walking, and there are so many things to take in on every block, you really don’t want to miss it. When I first got there, I was happily walking about 5 miles a day, just open eyed, craning my neck onwards to find out what would blow my mind on the next street.

• Empire state building, NY Public library, Grand central & the Chrysler building: The architecture of the city is so crazy. Don’t miss these buildings. And definitely get up the Empire State building. Go up at night, when the queues are shorter and the city glitters. I heard great things about the Top of the Rock, too.

  

I took this 🙂

• The High line: an amazing redevelopment of a raised railway line on the west side of town starting down on Gansevoort street and going up to somewhere around 23rd st and 10th avenue, it is still under development further up to 30th st but isn’t open to the public yet. Still it stretches north for quite a few blocks and is a pristine haven from the traffic below. Often there’s music, you can walk/ lie/do yoga on the grass and you get elevated views of both the skyline along the Hudson and the city. I liked it best at sunset, after walking along the riverside, and then watching all the stunning buildings light up. It gets very romantic there. There’s also a great viewing area, a glass screen and benches so you can watch everyone else racing about and relax.
• Sunset over the Hudson.
• Greenwich/west side/St Luke’s place: This area of town is tree lined, cobbled, and so great. The people watching is fantastic, definitely hang around here and forget what a huge crazy city you’re in for a while.
• Little Italy/China town & the Bridges- Walk south down Mulberry St. It starts at Bleeker, near the road that comes down south from 4th avenue. Although you can walk down any of these streets to experience Little Italy and Chinatown, this was my favourite. It ends near the Manhattan bridge, which is in my opinion better, because you get incredible views of the city and Brooklyn bridge, and the pedestrians are separated from the cyclists, unlike on the Brooklyn bridge, so you can amble about (also, pretty much on your own, opposite to Brooklyn Bridge) without getting abuse. But of course for tourists sake you have to walk over that one too. All I’m saying is, if you only do one, it’s the underdog you should go for.
• Flatiron/Madison square garden + around: The Flatiron is by far my favourite building in NYC. there’s just nothing else like it, its a huge old building at the crossover of Broadway & 5th avenues and it is a mad triangular shape. The park at its feet it heaven for both people- and squirrel watching, and it has the famous Shake Shack. 
• Central Park & The Met: Goes without saying really. We walked the whole thing in one day which was extreme, I think its more usual to cycle it. We also rented a row boat and rowed around The Lake which was reasonably priced and really worth it, so fun! The Met is on donation, but they try and make you pay loads. You’re poor, if you’re really strapped, dredge up the quarters from the bottom of your bag!
• Williamsburg & Brooklyn: On Sundays they have flea markets galore. And great views of the city. Brooklyn is obviously worth a mention too, but I never really got into it. I stayed in a dodgy hostel so didn’t enjoy Brooklyn as I should have. But you have to go to DUMBO and that area, also Prospect park if you have time, and keep your eyes peeled for amazing street art! 
• Hostels- Chelsea international hostel– Great. Expensive, but clean, en suite 4 bed rooms and loads of other bathrooms around spare, great breakfast (bagels, squash, fruit, cereal, and unlimited coffee? yes please!) good wi-fi, lovely staff, well located..great place to find your feet in the big city. American dream hostel- good/great depending on who is at the reception desk- there’s a quite unhelpful guy there sometimes. but, stunningly clean, lovely design and interior, there isn’t enough bathrooms though, and the kitchen is too small resulting in some very cosy dining, however amazing breakfast. Jazz on the park- staff are very informal, and when we asked for our bags back we had to wait for the guy to be done texting to get them, the male staff are also verging on pervy, didn’t feel comfortable around them at all. The dorm rooms don’t lock, the bathrooms were in need of updating, the beds were uncomfortable, the breakfast was not great. avoid if possible and especially if lone female. B Hostel- awful/dodgy part of Brooklyn and very strange layout- the common room areas were next door but you had to go out into the street to get in. Secure and clean, but not homely or with any character. Weird 2 bed dorms. The walls didn’t go up to the ceiling so you could hear everything in the rows of rooms which meant no sleep.