Hostels » Profile » Taylor Jane Rand - A Traveler on Hosteling - BootsnAll's One-stop Hostels Travel Guide

Hostel Interviews

Languages
France Italy Germany Spain

Taylor Jane Rand

  1. Current Age?
    24

  2. Nationality
    USA

  3. Where do you live now?
    Eugene, OR, USA

  4. Occupation
    Herbalist/Wage Slave

  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, USA

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

  8. Why or why not?
    Because I like meeting other travellers in hostels and getting all the info on the different places we have been and/or are from. Great conversation is usually the result of a crowded hostel - along with drinking and much merriment and connections that sometimes last across continents.

  9. Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
    • Best Moment
       Going out to a bar in Barcelona with a native English speaker from every "English" continent. The accents were fierce!

    • Worst Moment
       Walking a mile uphill with my pack on my back in 80-degree weather, after my 12-hour international flight and 3-hour train ride. They should have had a shuttle!

    • Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
       Language barriers

    • Biggest surprise?
       How easy it is to overcome language barriers!

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

  11. Why or why not?
    Sometimes I know where I will end up that evening, and sometimes I don't.

  12. Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
    There were so many... so many. The most memorable people I didn't meet in hostels – maybe the group of boys I met in Rome: we got drunk off wine and Limoncello (Lemon liqour) on the spanish steps. Oh, wait, I got it. My first hostel, up the hill, in Nimes FR. I met a chap (John? Peter?) who had hitch-hiked from southern England to the South of France on £7. Very impressive.

  13. Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
    They are cheap and I am more likely to meet other folks my age.

  14. What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
    That they are dirty and/or dangerous. Sometimes yes, but most of the time NO!

  15. Why do you like to travel?
    Ummmm... I could go on for days here. Culture, change, scenery, people, dreams, stories, visions, comfortable walking boots, education, vacation, excape, reality checks...

  16. What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
    Open your mind. Lock your bag. Be willing to make a fool of yourself to make yourself understood. Be willing to be patient while someone else tries to make their point understood. Don't forget your towel and sleeping bag!

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 insurance

FAQ Hostels

The skinny on hostels and booking your bed online.
Group Bookings - Traveling in a group?