Hostels are given a pretty bad name - we've all heard it.

They are small, they are crowded, they are dirty,

the shower is in the hallways, the sink spits out brown water,

it's sleeps 15 with triple bunk beds, there is no room for any of your things.

But the one misconception about hostels, is that those above comments apply to all of them.

Which is not true.

I have stayed in great hostels, and I have stayed in terrible hostels.

For every negative experience, there are 5 more positive experiences.

So I'm coming at you now - a proud survivor of not just one but many hostel stays,

to tell you that they aren't as bad as you may think

and there are a lot of really great reasons why you may want to choose them over other options.

Cheap? I'll Take It

If it isn't already obvious, traveling isn't cheap. You want to do and see everything, and a lot of times that comes with a price. That being said, the cheaper, the better.

You can find rooms for as low as $20 a night, a when it comes to hostels, lower prices don't always mean lower quality.  I've stayed at hostels where I've spend double this, and have had worse experiences than a less expensive room.  So if the reviews look nice, and it is in a great area, I will always go on the cheaper side.  And when you're at the bottom of the barrel for some spare change, this is definitely the best option.

When I said cheap, I wasn't kidding..

A Place For The Lost

Looking for a walking tour? Need a map? Want to know what goes on around town at night? Hostels have all of this. And more! Everything I could possibly think of needing, I could find either in the bulletin boards on the walls, the brochures in the lobby, or by asking the staff.  And if you're lucky, you may find yourself in a hostel with computers in the lobby for you to use for free.

They. Have. It. All.

A Melting Pot of Culture

Right off the top of my head, I can tell you I've stayed with South Americans, Belgians, Australians, Indians, and even other Americans. And while you are able to learn about someone else's culture and way of life, what I really love to learn is their travel story. Everyone's came from somewhere, and everyone is going somewhere. 

No better place to meet some cool people and make some quick friends - nobody stays in a hostel to keep to themselves.

Fun

Shouldn't that be reason enough?  Everyone is there for a good time - you can always find a party.  And if you're lucky, you may find your hostel has it's own bar inside of it.  Who doesn't want to come home from a night out for an after-party right below where you're sleeping? I've had drinks with groups of people who I've ended up hanging out with the nights after around the city. We're all here for the same reason - it's more fun if we explore (and drink) together.

There's an explanation for this ... well, not really.

Hostels are so much more than a bed to sleep in for a few nights - so much more.
It may not be a place with the most comfortable bed, or shelves of space for all of your clothes,
but that's not the reason you should stay there.

They are a place to open your mind up, and get out in the world in a more outgoing way.

I still keep in touch with people that I've met. I have memories, hilarious memories, that are some of my favorite moments in life. 

Try and find a hotel where you'll have as much opportunity for these things - because you won't.

Happy hosteling!

Welcome baaaack!

1) Do you already know what this is going to be?

Yep - TWO WEEKS.

Two weeks until I can start complain about rush hour and crowdedness through the Tube,

until I can hustle through people who don't know how to walk, while I'm trying to get to class on time,

until Heather and I are finally back living where we're so sure we belong,

until I'm finally writing this blog from the place that most of you think I already am.

TWO. WEEKS.

2) A Stroll Through Tromso from Van at Snow in Tromso.

Like me, she is moving in a couple of weeks to a place she also fell in love with.

She understands a lot of my stress of moving countries,

but soon enough we'll be able to share excitement that we are FINALLY there!

3) I just downloaded this amazingly cute August calendar desktop background,

and I have to say, I'm obsessed.

4) Sara at Bristol In My Pocket was just recently in London,

and has been throwing out city posts lately, so you all know I love that.


5) Getting Started With Running with Christina at Route Bliss.
I haaaate running. I hate it.
But I do know that the more I run, the more I enjoy it, and the more inclined I am to keep it up.
This is great for those of you who are just beginning the terror that is going on a run.
I promise, it's not sooo bad.


6) This Staycation Travel Link Up
because why can't you travel in the city you live in?
The link up runs until August 7 - so go get your local travel on!

7) The Hardest Part About Traveling No One Talks About

I don't know if I've ever read anything more true to word on what it's like to come home

after you're life was changed abroad.

"It's like learning a foreign language that no one around you speaks, so there is no way to communicate to them how you really feel."

Through viewings and bookings and cancelations and more bookings,

We've finally secured housing that we are actually really happy about.

And with about two weeks let until our big move, this was crucial.

So - to say the least, it's been a GREAT week.

And why not keep this excitement going with some good ol' Fab Four Friday!

A Hard Day's Night is a song that everyone knows (I think? Well, you should).

It's such a fun song, and you can't help but start tapping your foot to it at the sound of that first chord.

This video is the opening of their first feature film with the same name,

and aren't they just the cutest?!

I love watching this because they are having SO much fun.

Ohhh, these boys never fail to put a smile on my face!

FUN FACTS:

- Did you notice George and Ringo completely wipe out right in the beginning?
Makes me laugh every time!

- This title, A Hard Day's Night was created by Ringo - I know ... Ringo???

Apparently after another long day of work, Ringo made the statement,

and if you have learned anything about these boys - something as quick-stated as that

can turn into something as big as a hit song to title their first and most-anticipated motion pictures.

- The name was actually picked for the title of the film,

the song came after this, and was written specifically for the movie.

- The opening chord is one of the most identifiable and famous notes played.

Like, it has been seriously analyzed by people to figure out the exact chords used.

What's been found, is that the chord is played with

an electric guitar,

an acoustic guitar,

a bass guitar,

a piano,

and a little snare & cymbal.

Never thought something so simple could be so complex, huh?

Pretty cool.

I've been very lucky to have had the opportunity to globe-trot a bit.

But while I feel I have seen and done a lot,

there's always more.

I mean, do you realize how big this world is?

There's still a lot on my list,

but I do have a few things I do hold up on the top

that I really, REALLY want to see.

I'm joining up on the Travel Tuesday link-up that I already love

to list just a few of those places in the world I'm still dying to see...

Tulip Gardens in Lisse, Netherlands

I have only seen stunning pictures of this area.

You look it up on Google, Pinterest, Instagram, anything.

So beautiful, so colorful!

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

It's just one of those things you need to see for yourself

to fully realize how amazing the earth can be.

Redwood National Park, California

Massive trees in a gorgeous forest.

That's about it - I'm convinced enough with that.

Hallstatt, Austria

One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

I've had this on my radar for quite a while,

so you can expect me to visit this one soon

Sahara Desert

Such a different atmosphere.

Something I feel like you can't see anywhere else.

A place like this would take you completely out of your element, and I love that.

Devil's Pool, Australia

Yes. Those are people. Swimming. On the edge of a waterfall.

TERRIFYING.

But who doesn't want to say they've done that?

And hello - prime waterfall view!

Trolltunga, Norway

Also terrifying.

And while you won't find me hand-standing on this,

I would love to baby-crawl my way to the edge and get a real look at this view.

Hopefully with time, you'll see me writing about my visits in all of these places,

and while I am in love with the sights I see here,

I can't wait to search this world and find the other places I don't know about yet

that are just as amazing as these.

What have you always wanted to see?