When I was setting off for Paris, this was my biggest question. After looking at countless “Budget” Hotels that were super expensive and very unimpressive, I decided to take the leap for the first time in my life and have a Hostel experience.
To Hostel or Not To Hostel
To say that this made me apprehensive is an understatement. For one, I’m 35, which compared to my long lost college days when hostel-ing was cool, I felt like I might be an old fart.
Secondly, I am a person that doesn’t particularly enjoy sharing my space. I didn’t grow up with a big family and having personal space is something that goes hand in hand with my peace.
Thirdly, I was afraid of the fact that not just the rooms were shared, but Everything was shared. Shared toilets, shared showers, co-ed dorms, and there isn’t any guarantee that you’ll get the same bed or room twice.
My last fear was that the schedule was fairly regimented. You wake up, breakfast is at 9, you get locked out of the hostel between the hours of 11 and 4. There was a bar attached to the hostel and all I could think of was all of the horrible ways that this could go wrong. But, it was the most affordable solution, and it was also close to all of the attractions that I wanted to see.
Trying Cohabitation
I took a risk and booked my first three days with 3Ducks Hostel. Upon my arrival, I met a girl I instantly liked at the front desk. Bee was a hip and trendy girl from Canada that spoke French fluently. She recited off the hostel rules like she’s said them a million times. I grabbed my rented sheets and went off to seek out my room. I was feeling a bit nervous like my first day in college checking in to a dorm.
The set up was actually nice, and really cool. The bunk beds were numbered, you get your space, and can keep any of your valuables at the front desk (laptops, etc). I met my new roomies and started to get a feel for the area. I found out from them what some of the top attractions were and what I should do. Most importantly, in what order.
I found out a lot about how to “do Paris on the cheap”. This basically consisted of buying food at the stores, going to museums at certain days. You could go at times when they are cheaper, and even buy passes you can to pay less for the attractions.
All of this stuff, while it just seems like general conversation was HUGELY Helpful. Mostly because it takes the stress off of you immediately. All of the things I’d been wondering about suddenly were resolved. My worries about being too old or set in my ways diminished as I began to trade travel stories with my new roommates. If anything, the other people I met at 3 Ducks seemed to be really interested in me. They wanted to know what I’d been doing, how I have structured my life to travel more. And, they expressed their desire to do the same with their life.
Making Travel Buddies
A great benefit Hostels is that you will get invited along to do things that you would maybe never do on your own. After my second night, I went along with a group to The Gardens of Versailles. This was something that was not even on my travel radar and ended up being one of the best parts of my trip.
Paris Nightlife
It also helps with being more active with your nightlife. I have a tendency to do things during the day and then not want to do that much in the evening past dinner. The nightlife in Paris is definitely something to be experienced. I got to tag along to places I’d never gone on my own – like Queen, the gay nightclub that had a free lady’s night that surprised us with twin male strippers.
Overall, I Can Recommend Hosteling
Hosteling is great if you want to see the sites, meet fun people that you can share new experiences with, and expand your horizons. I would definitely recommend getting out of your comfort zone and checking in to a Hostel. If you’re headed to Paris, check out 3Ducks Hostel and make sure to book in advance.
I waited too long to reserve the second half of my trip and it filled up for the rest of my time there. So I booked a place after that on my own. Which, after being around people all of the time, was actually great. But, I was thankful for the experience and the opportunity to meet such fun people to travel around with!
