Olivier Leutke
 |
| Olivier enjoys a cold one in Randolphs Bar, back in late 2002. |
- Current Age?
35 - Nationality
Switzerland - Where do you live now?
Geneva, Switzerland - Occupation
Insurance - 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 - Where have you hosteled?
Asia, Australia, Canada - Would you stay in a hostel again on future trips?
Yes - Why or why not?
Experience, meet people (when travelling alone), price is also a factor but not really essential. - Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
- Best Moment
- Worst Moment
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
- Biggest surprise?
- Best Moment
- Do you ever book any of your hostel accommodation in advance?
Sometimes - Why or why not?
It's good to book the first hostel of a trip in advance, the one you go to when you've just spent 10 hours in a plane. You don't want to look around for ages and you don't want to have bad surprises (bad place, dirty, occupied, etc.). Research (Internet, Lonely Planet, Guide du Routard, etc.) helps a lot. Once you're in the country you want to visit and chill out, and depending on the time you have, you usually find cool places by asking others; plus you want a bit of adventure and not be tied to a schedule. Holidays and travelling should always be easygoing and relaxing! - Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
Guess it was the guy who quit his job to go on a world surfing tour with his girlfriend. He had a lot of interesting stories to tell. But then again, it might have been that very attractive Dutch girl... but I met her on a tour, not in a hostel... :-) - Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
See answer above. But I do stay also in hotels (once in a while, a lttle bit of either luxury or total privacy is very appreciated). On business trips hotels are also more convenient. - Is there a hostel you'd recommend to other travelers? If so, what is it and where?
Ocean Beach Backpackers, Cottesloe, Perth, Australia - What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
Negative: chaos, filth, lack of privacy, common dirty showers, lack of security.
Positive: to meet interesting people, to share stories and experiences, to be free, to forget everyday work/life. - Why do you like to travel?
See the positives above. I think we have only a very limited time on this planet and we all need to work for our living (most do anyway). But this blue planet of ours, despite of a lot of shit going on all the time, has a lot to offer and there is a lot to see! So we have to get out there to experience it all, to live it. I really think that if everybody could/would travel and meet different cultures and people, to understand them, we would live in a more peaceful place! - What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
Get information on the web, but mostly ask other travellers you meet (word of mouth is probably the best advice), but just go, be open-minded, open eyes and ears, and have fun. It is an experience.
- Destinations by Region
- Hostel Resources
-
Travelers on Hosteling
Why hostel? Hear it from fellow travelers.Hostels by Region
See what hostels there are where you want to go.What are Hostels?
A way to have a better trip and stretch your budget.Why Hostel?
Here's just a few reasons.Group Hostel Bookings
Going with all your friends? Book all at the same hostel at once.Why Not Hostel?
It's not for everybody, so read up first.Debunking the Myths of Hostels
Here's the scoop: They're a great way to stay.Submit a Hostel
Would you like your hostel to be part of our online reservation system? Read about the benefits and sign up here.Travel Insurance
Protect yourself and your trip with some travel insuranceFAQ Hostels
The skinny on hostels and booking your bed online.
