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John Haughey

  1. Current Age?
    34

  2. Nationality
    Ireland

  3. Where do you live now?
    Belfast, Ireland

  4. Occupation
    Journalist

  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?
    Sometimes a hostel, sometimes a hotel or B&B, etc

  6. Where have you hosteled?
    Europe

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

  8. Why or why not?
    I like to stay in hostels because quite often you meet interesting people. Also the quality of accommodation in hostels has improved hugely in recent years and they often represent exceptional value for money.

  9. Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
    • Best Moment
       Festos Hostel in Athens in 1990. My first trip abroad, so it was quite an experience for me.

    • Worst Moment
       Can't think of any huge problems.

    • Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
       Sometimes having booked by internet, hostels records are not the best and they cast doubts on your booking.

    • Biggest surprise?
       Cheap beer in Athens

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

  11. Why or why not?
    You can usually get plenty of info about hostels so you can get a fair idea of what the place is going to be like.

  12. Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
    A Dutch girl called Wendela. I don't need to give all the details, do I? And besides, I'm now married to someone else.

  13. Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
    I think I've outlined those reasons already.

  14. Is there a hostel you'd recommend to other travelers? If so, what is it and where?
    Festos Hostel, off Syntagma Square Athens, Greece - not sure whether it's still going.

  15. What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
    That only crusties and cheapskates stay in hostels.

  16. Why do you like to travel?
    A horrible cliche, but you do learn a lot about life and yourself by travelling.

  17. What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
    Go ahead and do it. I wish I had stayed in more.

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