It’s time to meet the roommates.
UNSPLASH @wildlittlethingsphotoHostels are a beacon of backpacker knowledge and a social hub for every traveler. As you walk through their physical doors, and more importantly their metaphorical ones, you have entered your home for the next couple of nights or the next couple of weeks. While some people choose to never move out, you might not even unpack. Once you’ve made sure you’ve asked for the Wi-Fi password, and clarified that yes, the bathroom is in fact co-ed (guess you’ll be finding a public toilet to do your business in) it’s time to settle down. And that means it’s time to meet the roommates.
1. The Snorer
The snorer is hard to initially detect; tell tale signs include a croaky voice and suspicious sniffle. They will undoubtedly pick the bed next to you and will fall asleep surprisingly quickly. Then all hell breaks loose. Be wary of the brief moments of silence that will occur, as they are just a tease. As soon as your muscles relax and you can finally fall asleep, the room will be set to vibrate once again. Hint: Restrain from physical abuse when they make their morning comment, “I barely slept last night,” whilst your red, glaring eyes are proof they did. Invest in earplugs; they are your only salvation.
2. The Party Animal
Most often come in the form of British or Australian. They know all the drinking games you play and will teach you a couple more (beware of the fictional games.) It is against their partying ways turn down a dare even if it requires streaking past the Coliseum. To the Party Animal, it is deemed blasphemy to say no to one more drink. They will teach you the true meaning of the word hungover and just when you feel like its time to head back to the hostel, drinks are on them! Good luck keeping up, you’ll need it.
3. The Messy
You didn’t realize a backpack could physically fit this many clothes. Nor did you realize that natural disasters such as tornados could make their way through tiny hostel dorms. You wonder when the last time they did their washing was or if the stains on their clothing are intentional. Warning: don’t get too close, if you fall into their pile of clothes you just may never get back out.
4. The Experienced
Whilst their forte might not be knowledge of the city you are staying in, it certainly involves the locals. And a couple of fellow travelers. And a few more locals. Avoid sleeping in the bunk bed below unless you enjoy being rocked to sleep. A face to face conversation may never be had with this elusive individual, but after a couple of nights in the same dorm and a string of visitors, you will certainly know their name.
5. The Best Friend
In a 16-person dorm, it is not hard to find a similar soul who you gravitate towards. You may exchange travel stories and add each other on Facebook, start joining each other on excursions and share shampoo. It’s when this comradeship extends beyond the hostel, beyond the clash of the accents and makes its way to your separate hometowns that you realize you’ve gained more from traveling than just stories. It is this sort of friendship that overcomes obstacles of time and space, and all you can think about, is the next time your travels will cross paths.
When traveling, you can always opt to stay in a private dorm. Sometimes the luxury of having a shower without someone knocking on the door every 3 minutes is worth the few extra $$$. But then, I would never have met the Scandinavian man that snored all night and left my friend and I in stitches. The British boy that taught me that every time I pointed at someone, I needed to take a drink. The experienced individuals that I hoped used protection. The best friend that I still speak with to this day.
And the messy girl? Well, that’s me.
Article written by Carly Brand.
