Staying in a hostel can be a strange experience, especially if you don't know what to expect. After spending three days staying in one, I've learned a lot about traveling in general and what to expect.
1. Get there before midnight...
2. Because your roommates will be wanting to go to bed.
3. They'll hate you when you don't get in bed until 3:00 a.m.
4. Everybody will get up at different times, so be prepared to be woken up several times.
5. If you change in your room, it's almost guaranteed that someone will walk in on you.
6. Go to the bathroom whenever you can while you're out.
7. Because there will be one or two toilets on each floor of the hostel.
8. Showering can be an experience.
9. BRING FLIP FLOPS FOR THE SHOWER.
10. Bring some type of hanging bag for the shower so that you don't have to put your clothes and toiletries on the floor.
11. You'll have to rent towels unless you bring your own.
12. If you're generally a cold person, you'll need additional blankets.
13. Expect to make your own bed.
14. Charge your devices through the day when your roommates aren't there.
15. Talk to your roommates.
16. Don't expect all of your roommates to be around your age...
17. Because some of them will be over 40.
18. Hope that you'll still be traveling when you're 40.
19. Learn from their stories.
20. Ask them where you should go and places to see.
21. Laugh with them.
22. Compare home countries.
23. Share what you like and dislike about it.
24. Talk about how the US looks like an idiot because Trump is running for President.
25. If you're traveling alone, don't hang out in the common areas.
26. Because you'll look like a straight loner.
27. Realize you'll speak better English than the receptionist.
28. Don't get frustrated when the receptionist doesn't have a clue what you're saying.
29. Forget about what you were going to ask the receptionist in the first place.
30. Enjoy your experience - good and bad - because it may be the only time you stay in a hostel.
Hopefully these tips will help fellow travelers survive their first hostel experience while abroad. I wish I knew these before leaving...Happy traveling!
