Hostels

I had every intention of writing all about my first day of my Pacific Coast adventure, but then I wound up at a whiskey bar and one drink later and an interesting conversation with a stranger, I realized I would much rather discuss the hostel experience.

Being 22, I often find myself realizing I don't have the money to do all the things I want to do. I also graduated college a year early and am constantly wishing I was back in college, partying away and having fun. In college, nothing matters. All your friends are in one place, you know what bar you like to go to, and you know who's house is going to have something going on. If you play your cards right, you never have to have a boring night.

I find a lot of people feel like they can't travel because "it costs too much money." But that doesn't always have to be the case! I've stayed in several different hostels and so far have always had a wonderful experience. It's like being in college all over again and making friends with people you didn't know before you got there.

Let's take today, for example. I have been traveling since 3:30am New York time. It's now 12:30am New York time, but only 9:30pm here in Seattle. I checked into my hostel once I got here and stored my luggage. Then I went out and adventured for over 8 hours and had one hell of a time. Now that I'm back to the hostel and have a bed assignment, I was able to shower and attend the movie night they are hosting.

Hostels have ways of bringin all us strangers and travelers together. Between parties, pub crawls, and community events you become friends with people you never would have crossed paths with. Imagine if you were staying in a hotel. You would go straight back to your room, maybe stopping at the hotel bar, but then that would be it. In a hostel, you're rooming with strangers, trusting people you never met, and saving a ton of money.

I know people have seen the horror movies about hostels, but really, they're not as bad as the movies make them seem. I have learned so much from hostel hopping and can't wait to continue to do so on my trip. I hope everyone goes to a hostel at least once in their life, because it is a well worth trip outside of your comfort zone.

Strangers in Seattle, Washington all becoming friends 2017