My first experience staying at a hostel was in 2002 when a small time country girl arrived in the big city of London. I had a job lined up as an Au Pair in rural England but didn’t have to start straight away, I had time to explore.

I was excited checking into the Generator Hostel as I had heard so much about it and the place was pretty funky but when I go to my room I was not prepared for what it would be like. I was sharing a room with about 9 other people and most of them were men! The room was messy, there were towels, peoples belongings everywhere and the room stunk. That many men in a room well it just had to smell!!!

Not sure what I was expecting, maybe I was visualising it to be more like boarding school with same sex dorms and more space. I felt like I had done my time at boarding school so the next day I checked out and headed to a B & B but soon realised my budget couldn’t sustain it so I had no choice but to go back to the Generator.

I checked into a room with only 4 people and it was much cleaner and didn’t smell like the last room. I ventured to the bar which was the best thing I could have done as I met so many people and spent my time with site seeing and exploring London with my new friends.

After my first experience I spent many years staying in backpackers/hostels and there are some really amazing ones out there and some that are not so amazing! Staying in a backpackers is great if you are on your own as it gives you the opportunity to meet like minded people and if you don’t like sharing you usually can get a room on your own if you are prepared to pay a little extra.

You have to be prepared to get a disturbed sleep if you are not a deep sleeper as there is usually someone who snores (that is me!), turns on the light, shines a torch or people coming in and out all times of the night. I got used to all these things but what I never got used to was people packing up early in the morning and scrunching their plastic bags. That sound is so annoying first thing in the morning and I am not sure what some people do but I swear they have every item wrapped in a plastic bag!!

My backpacking days are long behind me but I have fond memories. Do you enjoy staying at a backpackers/hostel?