I've written a post about how to behave when you're staying in bostels before, but given that I've spent the vast majority of my time recently sleeping in bunk beds with a room full of strangers, I thought I'd give you an update
Free food
Last night I dined finely on butter noodles, or the version of them I was able to make with the macaroni, margarine and salt available in the free section of the hostel kitchen. Every hostel with a kitchen will have a free food section. It won't always be stocked, but when people leav,e they tend to leave their leftover food behind with them. Some planes don't allow you to take food from one country to another, Australia included, and food can take up a lot of space and weight in your luggage.
While this free food is always a bonus, it's important to only take what you need. The macaroni I found yesterday will feed me again tonight and the leftover jam added some sweetness to my porridge. I've left the bag of oats I bought in the kitchen for other people to use and anything else I buy will be left too. Share the love with leftover food, but don't take any more than required. That bag of pasta isn't just yours, it's for everyone, So don't be greedy!
UPDATE
Someone took all of my porridge. Dick move, Goldilocks. Dick move.
Hygiene
I did my best to keep my hostel room door open when I got in last ngiht because the smell was less than pleasent. With multiple people sleeping in one room smells can marinate and you don't want to be the person everyone avoids. I'm not saying that you need a fuill everything shower each morning, but at the very least jump in the shower. Shower gel can usually be found in the bathrooms or purchased in local stores and the people around you witll thank you for not stinking up the room.
Keep a clear head
When I was in Vegas I knew that I wouldn't be safe staying in a hostel there on my own, and one single night proved it. I have no memory of that night, but I know I was nearly kicked out of my room. I made a mistake and I can't take it back, but I can use this experience to teach myself how to behave in the future. It's no secret that I have an issue with alcohol and addictions, but this trip has made me realise that drinking too much while I'm away can affect the comfort of people around me. I enjoyed a couple of beers last night but then went straight to bed. Not only did I wake up without a hangover, but I also knew where I was and how I'd made it to bed. I didn't have to apologise to anyone around me and I didn't feel guilty. It was a wonderfully refreshing part of my trip.
Make friends if you can
I'm dedicating this part of my trip to being alone. I've been around people constantly for the past month and it's been amazing but draining. This isn't always the case though. I've met some amazing friends in hostels that I've stayed in around the world and it's great to team up with people when you go sight seeing. Different people from different cultures enjoy travelling in different ways, and you might end up doing things you wouldn't normally do on your own.
Share
Sharing on your travels isn't just about food, it;s not just pasta and porridge oats that can be shared. Got a book you've finished that you won't read again? Leave it in the communal space for someone else to enjoy or give it to someone in your room. Bought a sweater with you but realised once you left home that it doesn't fit? As at reception if they have a space for leftover clothes. It also works both ways and you can find some great books or clothing that might come in handy for the rest of your trip. Don't waste space by carrying things that you don't need, there's a good chance someone else will enjoy them more.
Stay safe on the road
J
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