Another Yo for Hostelling...

Am still new to hostelling. Have read about it for years but am experiencing it only now. A little late. But it is never too late. Had a little exposure at Geneva a week back ( see earlier post). The one at Edinburgh has only converted me fully. And I change my rationale for staying at hostels: earlier, I had emphasised the lower cost as the chief reason.

I think it is now a lot more. It is comraderie, home like feel, meeting a whole host of interesting people and exchanging a lot of news – both of the local travel, as well as of the wider world. With a few exceptions ( such as those found within our group...issues on "personal status" and the like....), people at hostels are the happy go lucky variety, and not particularly given to cribbing. Quite a happy lot I would say.

So, what was so good about Brodies- our Edinburgh haunt? First, it was bang in the middle of the Royal Mile – the heart of the old town, and the foremost tourist district. A good location is always a lovely place to start off f

rom. But there was more. The loos for example – a single WC fir about 25 people ( and another for approx the same number of women). But efficiently managed and spotlessly maintained, it was not in the least a worry. The showers were common for both genders, but excellent set of four cubicles , each with a tiny shower area, forceful hot showers, a tiny private dressing area too. Optimal utilisation of space.

The kitchen was the other wonder – and just an example of what can be achieved if everyone co-operates. Fully equipped: electric kettle, microwave, oven and electric burners, pots and pans, , jars full of tea bags & instant coffee with sugar and milk – you name it. The only caveat: use the equipment, but wash, dry and replace each thing to it’s original place. And the Lord be praised: all hostellers actually follow the rules! And the arrangement runs like clockwork. No dumping stuff at the sink – just wash ( liquid & other cleansing aids there), a cloth to dry handing on a towel rail- just do it. So much better to make your own cup of tea when you want instead of nipping down to a café every time. And a big, big cost cutter: consider this, a sandwich costs between 2-3 quid at and café. For 30p, we had a jar of cheese spead, for 45p a whole pack of ham, 30p for mustard and another quid for buns and bread. And this was enough to feed 5 of us a breakfast ( plus the free tea & coffee, remember), and get more than enough lunch packed for the train as well. Just use the implements, and then clean and leave them for the others.

But where do you store your food? ( You aren’t – and very sensibly so, allowed food or drink in your rooms). There are places in the kitchen to put it away, including a fridge and a freezer. With a marker pen, tied with a string, you are required to label each food pack with your name ( or berth number), and the day that you are leaving the hostel. And no one else touches your food. But what happens if you have food that you do not want to consume, or you have surplus food when you are leaving? Nothing much – just put it on the shelf labelled free food – and it is then open to all the other hostellers to access it. No hassles at all – and no wastage!! Was totally bowled over at the simplicity of thought and the seamless implementation of the whole thing!! No Hitlerian authority – a laidback, relaxed way of living yet disciplined in the places where it mattered.

Now, where does the interaction happen? At little cozy places within. Lounge like things. A few pack of cards and some board games around. We joined into some card games, learning as we went. People from all countries – Brazillians, Italians and all kinds of the rest. General, convivial interaction- and yet another example of globalization in all it’s pristine glory!

Other sidelights: access to the hostel is 24 hours with key card ( a five pound refundable deposit in one building, a daily password in the other), so come and go as you please – and in Edinburgh ( with it’s famous night life) the two ladies who were my room mates crawled back after three am each morning! The dorms were mixed, and everyone comfortable with it. For each room ( anything between 6 – 12 berths) there is a separate room key ( not quite sure if they work or the doors at open). Lockers on hire here ( 50 p a day) – they were part of the deal at Geneva – for your valuables. Liquid soap, toilet paper etc all in place. A little stall to buy stuff. Towels on hire for a quid if you so need. Laundry on a load basis. You get a duvet, clean ( well, hopefully!) linen – and maybe a little drawer. Internet is efficient – available 24 hours, just drop some coins into a slot, and you are online in a jiffy. Cool!

Yes – hostelling the way to go…travel well, travel cheap, travel comfortably and travel interestingly…a big thumbs for it!!