| Working at a Hostel is a unique experience because | | | | offer. She told us, "I have never stayed at a hostel |
| you get to meet people from all over the world. The | | | | and don't know anything about what you have to |
| points of view of each person that stays in a hostel | | | | offer". We gave her a tour and she decided to take |
| can vary a great deal, but overall gives you a | | | | one of the private rooms. "Just for one night", she |
| window into why people choose to stay at a hostel. | | | | cautiously decided, "Until I see if staying here will be |
| Just in the last month I have met several people all | | | | comfortable for me". Even the private rooms in a |
| with different stories and different reasons for | | | | hostel are much less expensive than hotels, motels |
| choosing a hostel. One such person is Hans. When | | | | and bed and breakfasts. As it turned out she is a |
| asked where he is from, he claims "I am originally | | | | musician just starting her musical career. She was |
| from Germany, prefer Switzerland and currently live | | | | thrilled to learn other musicians were staying at the |
| in Ohio in the United States". Hans placed three pins in | | | | hostel and could introduce her to local venues and |
| the hostel map that shows where visitors are from. | | | | musicians. Within a few days she was playing at open |
| When I asked, "Why do you stay at hostels", Hans | | | | mic nights and selling her CD's around town. |
| said, "I am retired and love to travel, but my wife | | | | Obviously, she was very comfortable and enjoyed |
| doesn't like to travel, hostels give me the opportunity | | | | staying at the hostel for several days. When she left |
| to meet people and not feel like I am traveling alone." | | | | she asked us, "What do I have to do to reserve a |
| We certainly understand what he means. There are | | | | room? I am coming back in a few weeks and want |
| many ways to meet people in a hostel. If you | | | | to stay for a month." Success! Another hostel |
| choose to bunk down in a dorm room with other | | | | convert. |
| guests, it's just natural to get to know the people | | | | You can see from Hans and Tara two very different |
| you are sharing a room with. You can also choose a | | | | reasons for staying at a hostel. One loves to travel |
| private room and still have many chances to meet | | | | and meet new people, the other with very limited |
| other guests in the shared living areas. Many guests | | | | funds looking to start a new career. Both stayed |
| cook together, eat together and share a fun game | | | | longer than they originally planned, because they felt |
| of pool or a movie in the living room. Hans exclaimed, | | | | they were at home. Hostels are gaining in popularity |
| "It's a home away from home". | | | | not only because of the cheaper price, but because |
| One day a middle age woman named Tara dropped | | | | of the unique and enjoyable experiences people have |
| by to check us out. She was staying at a local Bed | | | | at hostels. If you have never tried it, why not do as |
| and Breakfast here in St. Augustine, Florida. She | | | | Tara did, try it for one night. You too might decide |
| asked if they would give her a discount since her | | | | staying at a hostel is the best travel experience |
| funds were limited. They of course told her no, and | | | | today. |
| recommended she come and see what we had to | | | | |