5 preparatory hostel techniques

When I studied abroad, hostels were a way of life.  Now, it's only after I exhaust all me my hotel/apartment/bed&breakfast options that I use hostels.  Consequently, as a result of an increase in pay since I studied abroad (anything is better than nothing) and a change in the order of my traveling priorities (used to be seeing the sights, partying, meeting new people, eating out, etc., has now become seeing the sights, eating out, meeting new people, etc., partying).  However, if you're young, on a tight budget, and looking for lots of memories (good or bad), a hostel might be a perfect fit for what your looking for.  If it is your fit for one of multiple reasons, here are a few tips that might make your journey a bit better.

1.  Invest in a noise machine.  

I have a simple application on my Ipod that provides my with noise options including white noise, fan, waves.

A single room in Paris.

2.  Bring your own sheet sleeping bag and pillow case.  

If you get the image of stained sheets or bed bugs every time you hear the word hostel, bring your own.  Take a double sheet, fold it in half, and sew up the edges to make your own sleeping bag sheet.  Also, as always, look for bed bugs before you jump into bed, but this is a recommendation for every hotel, even the fanciest of them.

3.  Bring a lock.  

Trust everyone and no one.  Instead of worrying all day about whether your roommate (if you decide on the cheapest method of travel) in your 8 person mixed dorm is going to steal your valuables, just bring a lock and use the lockers that most hotels have in every dorm room.  Lockers are usually a one size fits all type of deal so just get anything padlock size or smaller.

Four bed mixed dorm in Salamanca
 (but I don't know who the guy in black is).

4.  Bring something that illuminates.  

Whether you use your Ipod, a small key chain flash light, or a small hand held flashlight, bring something to avoid turning on every light on your way to the bathroom and waking your roommates.  

5.  Bring a sleeping mask.

In preparation for all of those people that will forget to bring a a flashlight, it would be wise to bring something to keep your sleeping world dark and effective through the night.  In addition to the inconsiderate people, the rooms tend to receive glows from various outside sources, thus impairing your sleep.

6 bed mixed dorm in Dublin, good thing everyone knew everyone else.

All of these techniques come after the fact, if you don't choose wisely to begin with, these techniques will be the least of your worries.  When your searching for a hostel, make sure you compare and research  them carefully.  Look at the photos.  Look for bunk beds made of wood rather than metal.  Is the bathroom inside or outside the room?  Does the room come with lockers? Is your room connected to the common area?  Does the hostel come with a kitchen?  Can your entire party take up the whole room or at least most of the room?  All of these will help you in deciding on the best possible hostel before you even go.  Be prepared.  Stay tuned.

6 bed mixed dorm in Rome, very spacious compared to Dublin.

Basic Spanish

cama (Like karma without the r) - bed

Advanced Spanish

manporro - a smack

Basque

geldi (gel-dee) - verb - be still (stay or stop possibly)

British English

take away - take out 

I'm back

It's been over a month sense my last blog and up until late I had zero desire to write anything, but now I'm back.  I have had a rejuvenated desire to see Europe, however, with time slowly draining from my extended stay European clock, I feel the pressure mounting to see everything I want to see.  My mentality has switched back to my study abroad, go-go every-weekend, rain or shine mentality.   Let's go!

Study abroad me.

One thing that is adding to this pressure is the necessary recovery time to make me "travel ready".  I am half-way through my boot recovery (which coincidently ends in the middle of my 10-day vacation) and then who knows.  Maybe I'll be able to walk like nothing ever happened.  Doubtful, but we'll see.  Stay tuned.

Basic Spanish
ganar (ga-nar) - to win

Advanced Spanish
Te voy a capar - I'm going to castrate you / chop of your balls / make it so you can't reproduce

Basque
Doministiku (dah-me-ne-stee-coup) - the act of sneezing

Budget Bound France

On the fine financial line between surviving and broke, us "auxiliars" were in need of a fun, frugal vacation.  Now due to the fact that I'm a travel freak, I'd been especially vigilant of discount hotel and flight options via e-mail from booking.com and vueling.es.  Signing up to receive deal opportunities from these companies is free and easy, not to mention a good reminder that traveling is one of my biggest goals while I'm here in Europe.  As it was, I stumbled upon a wonderful little 8 person apartment for 135 euros for 4 nights with kitchenette in Pays Basque (French Basque country), just north of Biarritz.

Beach at Ondres

Next step was finding formidable transportation.  As of recently, I've also discovered the flexibility and affordability that renting a car through amigoautos.es or sixt.es offers to large groups of people, the only catch being that having a manual capable driver 25 years of age or older can save you nearly 30 euros a day on your rental.  As is was, our group of nine managed to rent two cars for 115 euros per car for four days.  A mere 25 odd euros per person!

Location was the key to this vacation.  We were stationed in Ondres, a small town near Bayonne, which allowed us for cheap accommodation, while allowing for visits to Biarritz (30 minutes south), Bordeaux (2 hours north) and various other quaint beach towns along the way.  Other notable towns in the Pays Basque include the quaint St. Jean de Luz and an adventurers paradise, Hendaye (information courtesy of (lizenespana's posts).

After all was said and done, the four day trip costs each of us a miniscule 54 euros a person for transportation, accommodation, and gas for four days.  Most of us keeping under 100 euros for the long, beautiful weekend.

Church in Biarritz

Chateaux in Biarritz

A nice lunch by the beach

Pure bliss

Kir - Basque Cider and Cherry Liqueur "mmm"

Creature hunting in Biarritz

The view from the ferris wheel of Bordeaux, France.

Our throng strolling along the river in Bordeaux.

Basic Spanish
Soy (nationality) (pronounced like soy in soy sauce) - I am (Nationality)

Advanced Spanish
Estás ganando la ostía - you're pissing me off

Basic Basque
Ekiatz (A-kites) - Storm - A typical basque name.

British English
I can't be bothered - I don't want to do it, I don't feel like it