A couple weeks ago, a large group of people in the hostel and tourism industry gathered in Sydney. Naturally, it was in a bar, but this time it wasn't just to have some laughs or talk of taking down HostelWorld or steal housekeeping secrets.
Last weekend I attended Base Mingle in Sydney, an industry event slash huge party (aren't those usually one in the same?). A few drinks in and I was agreeing to join part of a surf camp that week with the guys from Surf Camp Australia.
As you know from Part 1 of this blog post, I had been feeling a bit lonely on the road due to the quiet nature of low season in New Zealand.
Before I left, I thought that between all of the hostels & dorm rooms, tours & activities, I may start feeling a bit crowded and crave some 'me time'. I was surprised to find the opposite true.
At the tender young age of 5, I became a thief. My loot was a box of new Crayola markers; the scene of the crime was Sunday School. Yes, after learning about The Good News (still not sure what that really meant) I spied markers in my assigned desk. And I stole them.
In bold. Highlighted. In bright colors. Underlined. Capitalized. With exclamation points and background cartoon stars. Just some of the many ways you are bound to see the word 'free' made eye-catching in the long but sometimes monotonous list of a hostel's amenities, facilities, and offerings.
Backpackers in 2013: The only people who will travel half way around the world to experience other people and cultures be on Facebook. Likely while sitting next to someone from another country, who is watching YouTube. Eish.
At some point in my childhood I discovered that my mother had a life before I came along (yep, really!). As a wee one, this both surprised and fascinated me. Her travel adventures were especially exciting.
As I'm writing this blog, I am continually asked by both hostels and fellow guests "So, what have you found? What are the best things a hostel can do?" There are certainly details I've seen that make places stand out, which I will continue to write about.
So far with these blogs I have been highlighting various 'best practices' that I've seen in hostels along the way.