hostels Keyword
Vancouver
I hit Vancouver a little over a week ago. To be honest my time there was pretty much a blur. While I had only one very important thing to do in Vancouver I had no real plans of what to see or do in the City.
My first night there saw me join a club crawl which took in only two clubs, far from our hostel but proved to be fun none the less. It did give me a chance to meet some cool people, most of whom were Australian, much to my disappointment, but that’s Vancouver for you. It is Aussie central.
Vancouver is a pretty large city, with around 3 million people living in it and its surrounds. It is quite a nicely laid out city, with a modern feel. At the moment though the city is heaving under the weight of the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. It seems that every inch of the city is undergoing some form of renovation. New train lines have opened expanding the city and linking suburbs. Roads are torn up, footpaths littered with traffic cones and building supplies. All the work made it hard to enjoy the city on its merits.
Most of my days were spent wandering the city centre, meaning I unfortunately didn’t get to see some of the famous parks that surround the city. I did manage to guide a pub crawl though on my last night in town when the hostels usual guide called in late. I had a great time leading the group, as I had been in Montreal and was soon relieved of the duty anyways when the guide finally showed her face.
Vancouver didn’t really grab me all that much, but I must admit I was in a very weird mood coming off the great experience of Montreal. I am not one to write it off so early, and I think I will have to visit again, maybe after the Olympics.
Montreal Centrale
I’ve mentioned my favourite hostel Montreal Centrale in my post about Montreal itself, but I have decided it deserved a special mention. Montreal Centrale was, by far and away, the best hostel I have stayed in in the Northern Hemisphere. During my time there (around 2 weeks in total) I met fantastic people, formed strong friendships, and had a great time. I helped in the Bar, organised pub crawls, cooked, moved furniture, lounged on couches and relaxed in the back courtyard.
Their setup is fantastic. The place used to be a hotel catering for “dubious business types” and has recently changed tack to catering for travellers and backpackers and the budget conscious. This is great because the hostel still has great hotel throwbacks, like clean rooms with TV’s and DVD players and ensuites in each, clean fresh linen, a pile of towels (hand, face, body) waiting for you on your bed at check in, great service and a pleasant atmosphere. The staff are very friendly always willing to come for a drink and entertain the clients.
I can’t thank Francisco, Joshue, Anna, Ben and the rest of the crew enough. If it weren’t for their welcoming smiles and open arms this hostel would have faded into my memories like so many others before it. They have created an environment that is extremely difficult NOT to make friends and meet people in and that is perhaps the most important part of any hostel experience. I met some people I wont ever forget here, and I owe a lot to the staff for enabling me to do so. Should I ever return to Montreal, which I definitely hope I do, Montreal Centrale will be my residence of choice.
If you’re wondering the significance of the image above, this awesome piece of art is what I marvelled at each morning across the road from the entrance of the hostel. Montreal is full of awesome graffiti.
Belushi’s
I’ve arrived in Scotland. Nine hours on a bus sure builds a thirst. I quenched said thirst pretty hard at the bar below my backpackers. Belushi’s. For the first night in a new city it proved pretty fun, however the loud Americans in the common room this morning are a bit tiresome. Their voices are piercing. Obnoxious. I want to tear out their tracheas.
Bit harsh? You wouldn’t think so if you were here, nursing a killer hangover.
Anne Hostel
Tiny is one way to describe Anne Hostel, home for my week in Japan. Wonderful is just as appropriate. Situated off the beaten track, close to Asakusabashi station the Anne Hostel appears, from the outside, to be just a small door in a typical Japanese suburban building. At the top of it’s four floors, slipping off your shoes you enter a neat little reception. Welcoming smiles beam at you from behind the counter. A Flat screen hangs godlike from the wall of the Japanese style common room. Travelers are plonked on tatami mats covering the floor. I felt at home as soon as I walked in the door.
When I say tiny though, I mean tiny. Tiny Rooms. Tiny Reception. Tiny common room. Tiny showers. Tiny toilets. No so tiny that you’re uncomfortable though, just tiny. Exactly what you’d imagine Japan to be like.
The word tiny can’t describe the enthusiasm of the staff. Quite the opposite. I have never felt such warmth from hosts. They obviously take pride in their Hostel, and love every minute of being around their guests. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the week turns up.