15 years
Might as well just go to Butlins!!! :rolleyes:
I think the expectations of hostels today are just far too big. I did a 4 month tour of most of Europe in 2005 with a with a couple of friends, even though '05 isn't that long ago, I think there is a a massive difference between then and now; for instance neither of my two friends knew what an ipod was, we never booked hostels ahead, in fact, we weren't even aware of the possibilities of booking online. We'd find hostels to stay via guide books, asking locals, or word of mouth from other travellers, there were some nights where we wouldn't even find a hostel to sleep in, so we'd rough it in the train station local park or in the case of arriving in Toulouse, to find the whole city completely shut down for god knows whatever reason, a night train to our next destination.
Ok, to cut the story short, we were just happy to have a bed to sleep in, a bonus if it was clean, a bigger bonus if there were showers, kitchen or communal areas and friendly staff, but we weren't really fussed. I guess this is a more of an "old skool" attitude I don't know. I think it comes down to how different people define what a hostel is, for whatever context they're travelling in and therefore there is no perfect for everyone, making that list above redundant, good ol LP eh?!
I think people have been spoiled by newer polished hostels that offer the above amenities and I feel kind of sad because it attracts a different kind of character to hostels, less free spirited and less open minded, more of a "give me what I want, don't give a shit about anyone else" kind attitude, if you get me?
Log in to join discussion