The hostel life

Ah, the hostel life.

I've been living the dream for over a month now, and have come to some conclusions about this semi-nomadic, semi-permanent kind of life. The backpackers/hostel where I live is relatively small: 12ish rooms which accommodate 65-75 people maximum. Our hostel, Tiki Lodge, is family-run, which is nice. It's not a huge 400-bed dormitory like a Base or Nomads (been there, done that, no thanks). No large tour groups come through our place, though we do get groups of friends traveling together, families, and a few small independent adventure tours.

Even though it's definitely not home, it has become my temporary home, and has provided me with a pseudo-family here in Taupo.

My Taupo "family" from the hostel

A few thoughts on hostel life:

Pros

• Making new friends. There's always someone new to get to know.
• Party time. If you're feeling social, any night (or day...) can be a party.
• Travelers' network. Meeting other travelers means lots of advice, tips, and stories about traveling. Much better than reading another chapter from Lonely Planet.
• Sharing. People share food, books, supplies, toiletries, clothes, and other stuff... it means you spend less money and create less rubbish.
• The cost. It's still relatively cheap to stay in a hostel (as compared to a hotel), and if you find a good one, it can be a really pleasant experience. 
• Activities. Most hostels will book local activities for travelers: sightseeing, adventure tours, day trips, etc. The resources are right at your fingertips, and the people who work at hostels know the area well.
• Location. Most hostels are conveniently located near town centers. Tiki Lodge is close to town, shops, supermarkets, bars, etc. My walk to work at the cafe takes five minutes.

Cons

• You are never alone. Literally. Bathroom. Bedroom. Kitchen. TV area. If you are a person who values privacy or alone time, this is a struggle. However, there are those rare moments where you may find yourself alone, and, if even for two minutes, it is a gift from above. I try to make alone time each day, if possible, with varying success. If the weather is nasty, it can be almost impossible.
• The crowds. Along the same lines, if the hostel is crowded (as it tends to be in high season), you may need to fight your way into the kitchen to secure a space in the oven for your dinner. Or you may need to wait a bit to get the good shower in the bathroom. Or there could be a queue for the washing machine and dryer. Luckily, driving in Boston and New York prepared me for these strategic battles of community living.
• The noise. If a big group of Canadians (or Aussies, or Germans, or whomever!) arrive and decide to have a loud party on a weeknight, and maybe your room happens to be near the common area, you're basically out of luck. Same story if someone turns the TV up, or if someone snores, or if someone decides to make a phone call at 2am in the hallway outside your door, etc. We also host families (though I don't really understand bringing a toddler to a backpackers'), and the children could be up early running around in the hallways.
• Cleanliness. We keep our hostel as clean and tidy as possible, but in the end you have to deal with other people's versions of cleanliness and hygiene which may be very different than your own.
• Storage. Since hostels by nature are temporary holding tanks for travelers, they aren't built for long-term living. Finding a place other than a locker or backpack to conveniently store clothes can be quite a task. Right now I keep my things in my backpack, in plastic bins, cardboard boxes, and under my bed.

Overall, hostel life has been a positive experience, and I've met lots of wonderful people. It's just not something I think I could do super long-term. Once I leave Taupo, I may treat myself to one night in my own room somewhere. That would really be divine. :-)

Coming soon: updates on a lovely boat excursion on Lake Taupo and a sky dive from 15,000 feet!