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Aleida Samara Kasir
Aleida and her dad.
  1. Current Age?
    23

  2. Nationality
    USA

  3. Where do you live now?
    Boston, Massachusetts, USA

  4. Occupation
    non-profit org

  5. When it comes to travel accommodation (but leaving out crashing with friends, family or people you meet on the road), how often do you stay in hostels?
    pretty much all the time

  6. Where have you hosteled?
    Africa, Europe, USA

  7. Would you stay in a hostel again on future trips?
    Yes

  8. Why or why not?
    Hostelling is a great way to save money, meet people, and be near the center of a city. I find most hostels to be more personable than hotels. It's always an adventure and even the sketchy ones can bring interesting stories.

  9. Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
    • Best Moment
       Meeting wonderful people in Cinque Terre, Italy and traveling with them for a week later.

    • Worst Moment
       Thankfully we were out, but apparantly in our hostel in Rome some crooks came in and held everyone up and stole all their money, and cameras... passports were safe. Personally my worst experience has only been a very dirty bathroom in Barcelona.

    • Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
       Biggest hurdle: going to a well-travelled city and booking in advance. Also a big hurdle in Europe is trying to meet internationals instead of hanging out with Americans.

    • Biggest surprise?
       Hostelling is safer than most people think. Most people that hostel are in the same situation you are in: not a lot of money, outgoing, and sensible. I have been surprised by how much I've trusted people I've met at hostels – but it's always been a wonderful experience.

  10. Do you ever book any of your hostel accommodation in advance?
    Sometimes

  11. Why or why not?
    It's safe to book in advance. If I am going in the off-season, or to a small less-travelled town I don't book in advance – they usually charge a little bit of money to book and the international phone calls are really expensive.

  12. Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
    There are a lot. To pick one would be unfair. There are definitely some characters that travel in hostel style.

  13. Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
    It's a great experience. I save money.

  14. Is there a hostel you'd recommend to other travelers? If so, what is it and where?
    Kabul, Barcelona, Spain

  15. What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
    That they are all very unsafe. I realize the hostel story in Rome might sound contradictory, but I have always felt very safe.

  16. Why do you like to travel?
    Traveling gives experience to other cultures. I love how different a culture can be from my own. Traveling makes me step out of the boundaries. It awakens the soul.

  17. What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
    Do it. At least try it. Don't always be so picky. Meet others.

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