Youth Hostel
Have you ever stayed in a youth hostel? In a castle, an old school house, an old pub or a purpose built hostel?
I have been staying in quite a few youth hostels over the years. And as a matter of fact, if it wasn't for Mr Schirmann and Mr Münker, two Germans who founded the very first youth hostel, I think I would be right in saying I wouldn't be here today, since my parents met in a youth hostel! And when I grew up, especially from the age of 14 onwards my parents took me and my brother and sister to many youth hostels.
I stayed in a dilapidated old castle in Germany, the former Athletes accommodation for the Olympic Games in Innsbrück, an school child overrun purpose built one in Germany, several funny named ones in England and Wales (Boggle Hole, Woody's Top to name but a few) and many many more.
And the fun thing about youth hostels is that you get to meet so many different people from so many different countries. I spent a day with a Japanese girl, a South African bloke. I had to sweep in Winchester, pick flowers in Wales and do the dishes in Germany.
I prefer to stay in nice hotels nowadays, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for youth hostels.
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I've never stayed in a youth hostel, but always thought it would be fun! Great post for the day!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week!
Sylvia
No, and forgetting the name, I think you'd have to have a young body and mind to do it.
ReplyDeleteI`ve never stayed in a youth hostel, but in a hostel and it`s nice;-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great evening!
I've never stayed in a youth hostel as I didn't get to do any "real" traveling until I was in my 40s. But I did stay in a YWCA in San Francisco once. I bet it's exciting to stay in old castles! :D
ReplyDeleteYes, yesterday when I was young, I stayed a lot in youth hostels in: the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Denmark, Norway, Germany...Lateron we went camping. All very interesting and very pleasant.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit! have a great year! Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar.
No I never have stayed in one. Sounds interesting. I imagine it might be like a YMCA her in the US.
ReplyDeleteIs hostel same as motel here in US? Nice informative entry you've got here thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYOU
I did, I did. Stayed in a youth hostel in Heidelberg (about a hundred years ago!) What an experience it was.
ReplyDeleteI have never stayed in a Youth hostel but it certainly would be an inexpensive way to see the world.
ReplyDeleteAlways thought I should have traveled more, and a youth hostel would have been a way to help do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a most informative post!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that your parents met in a youth hostel. I've never stayed in one, but my son stayed in lots of them when he traveled in Europe, and he enjoyed the experience of meeting so many other young people.
ReplyDeletemy husband toldme about them and they seem really neat, I think I would like to try one someday and meet many different kinds of people
ReplyDeleteI stayed one night in one in Paris with my son (then 15). He claimed it was like Harlem. The next day we moved...
ReplyDeletePS The yards are horizontal :-)
I too have fond memories of youth hostels and had some great times, they each had their own character and characters. I have now become decadanat and grown used to the fluffy towels and the heated rooms of hotels.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! I stayed in Youth Hostels when I was a teenager and couldn't afford to holiday any other way! I cycled around with my friend - but we cheated and kept putting our bikes on the train! LOL!
ReplyDeleteA castle? Cool! I've never stayed in a hostel but think it might be fun!
ReplyDeleteNo. I have never stayed in a youth hostel but I have camped many times in tents, mountain cabins and in a tiny trailer. Tons of fun. You're right that you meet many different kinds of people.
ReplyDeleteYouth Hostels can be fun. My eldest daughter worked in one for a while.
ReplyDeleteI've stayed in a couple of youth hostels on school trips. Terschelling, Naarden (or somewhere near), Ootmarsum and Germany. Gosh, this post brought back some memories, hehe.
ReplyDeleteYes, I tried a youth hostel as a very mature adult, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I wish that our country made use of them as do Europeans. Makes lots of sense to me!!
ReplyDeleteI never stayed in a youth hostel, though they were very popular with some of my traveling friends back in the 60's. Those were the days when college kids backpacked through Europe carrying books like "Europe on $5 a Day." I don't think I could do that now:)
ReplyDeleteI don't know why they call it "youth hostel" because even "old" people can spend the night in there, lol ! There are so many now and really very nice !
ReplyDeleteYou have such a fun life reading your blog..wish I had stayed in one when I was still a youth!
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