Hostels are not scary. As Americans we like our space and luxury, and hostels totally defy that reality.
What is a hostel? According to hostelmanagement.com "A hostel is a budget oriented, shared "dormitory" accommodations that accepts individual travelers (typically backpackers) or groups for short-term stays, and that provide common areas and communal facilities".
Hannah, Stephanie, and I!
Cheap lodging and built in friends are established by hostels.The prices per person range from $15-$40 a night. It’s like a summer camp set up in your twenties in an exotic city. Get excited.
The people were the best part of the hostel experience. In London we (Hannah and I) met a girl from Holland who explored and toured London’s National Gallery with us. I also translated for an Argentinian man in our hostel. In Amsterdam, we had the best time going out with three of our ten roommates, with their Australian and New Zealand accents. We did a walking tour in Paris with our sweet roommate, Andrea (he informed us that is a boy name in Italian) and witnessed love in Paris through the story of our Canadian roommate’s Parisian love affair.
Entering into each of our roommates adventures added to our own story. However, you shouldn't go blindly into a hostel.
1. Get a padlock to lock up you locker or bag
2. Stick with youth hostels because there will be more young people and the accommodations are targeted to you! Some chain hostels I used in Europe were:
St. Christopher’s Inn http://www.st-christophers.co.uk/hostels
I stayed at St.Christoper's Inn: London Bridge!
Generator Hostels http://generatorhostels.com/en/
3. Hostel World was my best friend when looking up hostels. There are prices in American dollars and ratings! http://www.hostelworld.com/
4. Book your hostel before you get there! If you book earlier then it will be cheaper. Also, it is not guaranteed that there will be open hostels or hotels when you arrive to your destination, especially during peak season. So book, and book now!