An ode to Youth Hostelling

Youth hostelling what a fabulous concept. Who invented the youth hostel?



Well once again I have consulted the trusty Wikipedia. And according to Wikipedia the first youth hostel (or Jugendherberger) was created by Richard Schirrmann. Part of the idea of this was to allow financially poor German youngsters from inner city areas to experience the countryside and breath the clean air.



This idea spread rapidly overseas (Perhaps many good ideas do.). And Youth Hostel is now a trademark of the Youth Hostelling Association (Hostelling International).



The International Youth Hostelling movement now spreads throughout the world. Furthermore there are many and varied independent hostels (Check out http://www.hostelworld.com/ , if you're interested). And I think it is a mistake - lovely people - to regard hostels as simply a less expensive alternative to a hotel. While hostels are generally less expensive than hotels. They are a very different alternative Granted, they may not have some of creature comforts that a hotel affords. But they often have other things that are in my opinion more important. Many hostels have things in place, such that if you are travelling on your own and want some company......if you want to make some new friends, you can do that. In North America, hostels often have organised trips throughout the week. My general experience of Youth Hostels is that they are friendly places. Staffed by kind friendly and helpful people who enjoy working there.

But I'm not saying that these places are perfect. I sometimes hesitate to stay in Hostels if I have some urgent work which I need to do (It's sometimes hard to get any peace). And, if - as often happens - you're sharing a room with other people that you do not know, sometimes it's hard to get a good nights sleep. There are things that go bump in the night.

The worst experience I have so far is a young french lad - I think he was sufficiently young, that he knew everything - actually trying to throw me out of my bed in a communal dorm in a hostel in Santa Monica, California.

But it's important to put what I have said into context. These are one or two negative experiences that I've had; but I have also had countless wonderful experiences that have been inextricably linked to the fact that I've been staying in Hostels. And overwhelmingly, the people that I meet on my travels (often splendid people) are people that I have met in Youth Hostels.

I am totally not in the business of promoting or advertising products or organisations in this blog. So this is just my opinion - take no notice of it. But for my part, my favourite Youth Hostels (of those that I have been to so far) in North America, are:

1. The International Hostel in Boston, MA. It's just a little bit tatty. But it has a great and friendly vibe.
2. The independant "Apple Hostel" in Philadelphia. Beautifully decorated, fabulous staff and a "quirky" feel.
3. The International Hostel on Mason St., San Francisco. Great place. Lovely living room, good kitchen. Friendly, helpful and witty staff. Lots of friendly people.

I went to my first Hostel in 1993, when I was 15 and biking with some friends in the Scottish Borders. Since then, Youth Hostels have made my life better, more varied and more interesting. I have more friends than I would otherwise have due to Youth Hostels.

Hostelling International has the following mission statement: "To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and it's people through hostelling."

Here's to that....