As a backpacker you soon become accustomed to the realities of hostel life. Most travellers choose this way of life, and most thrive. Your previous notions about what a good night sleep is transforms into a new state of understanding. As long as you let go of your preconceptions and embrace that you will be a roommate to 100s and sometimes 1000s of different people by the time you return home you will have only happy memories to share.
Hostel living allows travellers to be in an environment with like-minded people. Rarely do you meet people who you can’t have a comfortable conversation with. Generally you have a new set of best friends everywhere you go as 99% you meet are there to just travel and experience the same cultures as you. When I’ve intended to have an early night I end up going to sleep hours after I had planned. Even though I will be exhausted the next day it has always been a worthwhile experience. After a while your body gets used to the reduced hours of sleep and soon you will be thriving and have the energy which you used to receive from 10 hours laying in bed.
The first occasion I lost an entire night without realising was in Buenos Aires. After returning from a traditional dinner consisting of a great Argentinian steak I had the intention of an early night. The aim of the game was to be in tip top shape to explore the Sunday Antique Markets in San Telmo. Naturally as customary to hostel life I went to offer an invitation to others to join me. It seemed almost the entire hostel had converged and settled in the basement bar area just. Sitting down to join for just one drink many others also wanted to head to San Telmo in the morning and it was the starting point of a long discussion of what people had seen already, what they wanted to see, what was worthwhile seeing, travel tips etc etc.
Once the standard travel chat was complete we began cultural comparisons between our home lands. Learning national traditions, music, events and what we should do, see and expect if we ever visited. Nation’s pride was at the highest as everyone cured their homesickness by sharing their homes with others. Youtube was enlisted for everyone to play local artists for easy listening and the relaxed atmosphere which had been formed. Almost every type of calming, chilled and relaxed music was played. All this was shared with no barriers or judgements just the curiosity of travellers.
The most interesting member of our new Buenos Aires family was an 82 year old man from Australia. He drank and out-danced the lot of us even climbing up onto the table tops at one point. His energy put us to shame and we all decided we wouldn’t let age be a barrier for us when we are his age. No-one was quite sure why or how he came to be in Buenos Aires but just accepted he was one of us; a traveller; seeking all of what the world has to offer. It is the beauty of travelling. No matter of your age, race, nationality or sex everyone is one and the same. Before we knew it the sun had risen and it was almost 7 am in the morning. Realising we had lost an entire night of sleep we couldn’t help but laugh. The owners of the hostel who had been with us the entire night joined in the laughter and began to put out breakfast. After having a quick bite to eat we headed for sleep before a few of us hit the streets to experience San Telmo antique markets. Many others opted for a sleep in. They certainly missed out, but maybe I would have then had competition purchasing my prized 1950s fold up binoculars…
When travelling don’t let the boundaries of sleep prevent you from enjoying what hostel life has to offer. These sleepless nights can offer you a bountiful playground of information and experiences. Embrace it, live it and you can always strive for an early night tomorrow.
I would love to hear your hostel life stories! Please share on comments below…
