At 69 years old, last July, I stayed in my first hostel. Last place available in Leadville, Colorado. I had had the same preconceived ideas about them as you mentioned. I found the “kids” to be very friendly and welcoming. The experience changed my mind about hostels.
It's always amazing how many single-serving friends you can make in hostels if you're open to chatting. It's always fun swapping stories, and almost always leads to some interesting conversations.
I wish more of my fellow Americans travelled internationally more to understand other cultures and histories. I believe Mark Twain’s clever quote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
What a beautiful beautiful message you share. Back home in Ukraine, I ran several "Girls travel solo" meetings to share similar tips and emotions. I also noticed when I just moved to Halifax, NS, I was much more open and met so many people, and the past two months I've been around my bubble for the most part. (or maybe it's just winter. or both)
I loved this video, this is the sort of backpacking tips I’ve always wanted to see people make videos about! Agree totally with all your tips, I feel like I’ve been telling people afraid to travel the exact same things for years (although get off your phone is a new one that’s now so needed). The one I add is just to shamelessly invite people to come with you to things/play cards/eat dinner - most people are too shy to initiate something but really want to meet people so if I can be the person that opens that door, even better! Thanks for the vid :)
great vid! Germany has been a bucket list item for me and am here now! Ive met a few people here and there in bars, but its still tough to meet new people
All of what you said makes sense. My first experience staying in hostels was really positive. I met a lot of people and talked to travellers from different backgrounds, which was amazing. But at the end they are people who cross your journey and give you a company. Don't make a bond and don't expect them to be future friends (which was my mistake)
Once again Dan you got me thinking… I am somewhat reserved and don’t like a lot of banter, but I do like connecting with new and different people. I work in a very public environment and always take great joy in getting to break through the cultural barriers I encounter. If I can get someone else to smile or laugh, then I get to smile and laugh. Such a simple thing, but hard to remember sometimes. Thanks again for another thought provoking video.
Great video as always. It's nice to have your view on this particular subject. :) Checking the autogenerated CC I noticed every time you said "hostels" it got "hostiles". Wich I founded amusing considering the subject.
That's great. Airbnb can be hit or miss for the social stuff... Sometimes the host is really friendly and outgoing... Sometimes you don't even meet them, just get instructions to unlock the door lol 😂
i ended up staying in a hostel on the outskirts of Paris and didn't have the best experience, BUT all that did was lower my probability of having another bad experience in a hostel. :) i think my issue was location. also, i may have gone at a weird time in the year (beginning of august)? i also may have done a disservice to myself staying in a private pod lol. whatever the case, i didn't really see a large group of solo travelers to engage with and everyone seemed to have their own little group. i will say, i visited my friend's hostel in vienna that he bartends at and made two friends within 30 minutes and sang karaoke with him and a drag queen HAHA! so it really is hit-or-miss! i'll be traveling europe next summer and staying in hostels again! super excited. thanks for the vid!
I did my backpacking and hostelling in the 90s before phones. It was a different world with no Google maps or translate at your fingertips. Everyone asked me if I was Canadian because supposedly Americans don't do rugged travel.
Hi Dan. First, hope you're feeling better! I saw your Covid video. And I hope it didn't cloud your view of Bogota, a city I've been to twice and love. I've been traveling on my own for a long time and I've made a few good friends along the way. (Several in Colombia as it were). And I love Free Walking Tours. Both Bogota and Medellin have excellent ones. Personally, I take a different view of hostels. They're called YOUTH Hostels for a reason. If you're over 40 I don't think it's the best option. Not for me anyway. I definitely don't like the sterility (or prices) of hotels. But I love Airbnb and use it whenever possible. Check back with us Dan in 10 years with your views on hostels.
@@TheNewTravel Great news! FYI Dan I just became a member of The New Travel. After 4 years of watching your videos I thought it was about time I started contributing. And it's a way of saying I believe in what you're doing.
At 68 years of age I have now visited almost 70 countries. I've learned a shit load of things but one item holds true. As hard as it is get out there and say hello, to anyone willing to chat. Once you say hello. 99.9% of the time their very first question is "where are you from"? That first hurdle has led me to meet both literal princes and paupers. Life's too short to miss all the free opportunities. Just say hello and smile?
Definitivamente, quisiera que seas mi amigo, pienso lo mismo que vos, aunque no tengo la dicha de ser viajera, de igual forma salgo a otros lados y me encanta conocer personas, pero no todos son así...
Go to Starbucks or coffee shop, find a woman / female that’s in your league . And just hang out with her and offer to buy her a coffee and ask her if she would like to hang out and show you around
At 69 years old, last July, I stayed in my first hostel.
Last place available in Leadville, Colorado.
I had had the same preconceived ideas about them as you mentioned.
I found the “kids” to be very friendly and welcoming.
The experience changed my mind about hostels.
Rock on, Rick 👍
*How do you make friends while travelling? Leave a comment, let me know*
I’ve made friends in AirBnBs but mostly finding working men’s pubs and toasting a few.
No one is in a hurry drinking a beer and conversation happens.
It's always amazing how many single-serving friends you can make in hostels if you're open to chatting. It's always fun swapping stories, and almost always leads to some interesting conversations.
I wish more of my fellow Americans travelled internationally more to understand other cultures and histories.
I believe Mark Twain’s clever quote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
What a beautiful beautiful message you share. Back home in Ukraine, I ran several "Girls travel solo" meetings to share similar tips and emotions. I also noticed when I just moved to Halifax, NS, I was much more open and met so many people, and the past two months I've been around my bubble for the most part. (or maybe it's just winter. or both)
great tips dan, for me i play board games with strangers in cafes or shops, it helps me overcome social anxiety
I loved this video, this is the sort of backpacking tips I’ve always wanted to see people make videos about! Agree totally with all your tips, I feel like I’ve been telling people afraid to travel the exact same things for years (although get off your phone is a new one that’s now so needed). The one I add is just to shamelessly invite people to come with you to things/play cards/eat dinner - most people are too shy to initiate something but really want to meet people so if I can be the person that opens that door, even better! Thanks for the vid :)
great vid! Germany has been a bucket list item for me and am here now! Ive met a few people here and there in bars, but its still tough to meet new people
All of what you said makes sense.
My first experience staying in hostels was really positive. I met a lot of people and talked to travellers from different backgrounds, which was amazing.
But at the end they are people who cross your journey and give you a company. Don't make a bond and don't expect them to be future friends (which was my mistake)
Totally agree with you Dan. I am feeling these exact same emotions now, on a solo trip. It's a great way to meet people just by itself
Once again Dan you got me thinking… I am somewhat reserved and don’t like a lot of banter, but I do like connecting with new and different people. I work in a very public environment and always take great joy in getting to break through the cultural barriers I encounter. If I can get someone else to smile or laugh, then I get to smile and laugh. Such a simple thing, but hard to remember sometimes. Thanks again for another thought provoking video.
Thank you for these tips! I’m sure they are super helpful for a lot of people
Thanks Ashley
great tips Dan!
Thanks :)
Great video as always. It's nice to have your view on this particular subject. :)
Checking the autogenerated CC I noticed every time you said "hostels" it got "hostiles". Wich I founded amusing considering the subject.
Thanks Odette!
Hahaha the auto-generated CC will never match your subtitle powers ;)
I met a few Airbnb hosts who became my real friends.
That's great. Airbnb can be hit or miss for the social stuff... Sometimes the host is really friendly and outgoing... Sometimes you don't even meet them, just get instructions to unlock the door lol 😂
i ended up staying in a hostel on the outskirts of Paris and didn't have the best experience, BUT all that did was lower my probability of having another bad experience in a hostel. :) i think my issue was location. also, i may have gone at a weird time in the year (beginning of august)? i also may have done a disservice to myself staying in a private pod lol. whatever the case, i didn't really see a large group of solo travelers to engage with and everyone seemed to have their own little group. i will say, i visited my friend's hostel in vienna that he bartends at and made two friends within 30 minutes and sang karaoke with him and a drag queen HAHA! so it really is hit-or-miss! i'll be traveling europe next summer and staying in hostels again! super excited. thanks for the vid!
thankyou!
I did my backpacking and hostelling in the 90s before phones. It was a different world with no Google maps or translate at your fingertips. Everyone asked me if I was Canadian because supposedly Americans don't do rugged travel.
hey,fantasticc ~=))
can you suggest an app where you can find a travel buddy?
damnnnn this type of content- its so f*ckin underrated! 😫
subd!!! :D
edit: i noticed, ya didnt say to subscribe or anything like "others" do lmao
Hi Dan. First, hope you're feeling better! I saw your Covid video. And I hope it didn't cloud your view of Bogota, a city I've been to twice and love.
I've been traveling on my own for a long time and I've made a few good friends along the way. (Several in Colombia as it were).
And I love Free Walking Tours. Both Bogota and Medellin have excellent ones.
Personally, I take a different view of hostels. They're called YOUTH Hostels for a reason. If you're over 40 I don't think it's the best option. Not for me anyway. I definitely don't like the sterility (or prices) of hotels. But I love Airbnb and use it whenever possible.
Check back with us Dan in 10 years with your views on hostels.
Feeling better thanks!
@@TheNewTravel Great news!
FYI Dan I just became a member of The New Travel. After 4 years of watching your videos I thought it was about time I started contributing. And it's a way of saying I believe in what you're doing.
Hola! Cuando vas a Venezuela?
At 68 years of age I have now visited almost 70 countries. I've learned a shit load of things but one item holds true. As hard as it is get out there and say hello, to anyone willing to chat. Once you say hello. 99.9% of the time their very first question is "where are you from"? That first hurdle has led me to meet both literal princes and paupers. Life's too short to miss all the free opportunities. Just say hello and smile?
Definitivamente, quisiera que seas mi amigo, pienso lo mismo que vos, aunque no tengo la dicha de ser viajera, de igual forma salgo a otros lados y me encanta conocer personas, pero no todos son así...
Hi yeah, there are 2 important ways you didn’t mention, couchsurfing and hangout
I don't know hangout but couch surfing is great!
Porque el título está en epañol
I'm in my sixties and I find hostels the easiest way to meet people
I usually go to the barber to meet locals. I'm bald but just get my head shaved lol
Hahaha
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌿🌿🌿
Hello Dan I am Dan I will be in Montreal this July let's make a Dan group, love Dan.
I haven’t watched this yet. But I have two words: cigar lounges.
Hahaha, that sure seems to work for you!
You back in Canada mate?
Nah, old video that I just got around to posting now lol
Do you feel that traveling solo you learn to need less validation from people?
Dan, will you be my friend?
did you break up with your Korean gf?
Hostels in this day and age? Not until covid disappears 🥲
Unfortunately covid will never disappear. It's up to us each to decide how to live our lives :)
@@TheNewTravel no you're right. My first destination this year will be to Oaxaca in May. I'm going with 10 other people. Fun times
"How to make friends while traveling "... and getting covid
Many people never leave home and catch covid too. Cheers ;)
Go to Starbucks or coffee shop, find a woman / female that’s in your league . And just hang out with her and offer to buy her a coffee and ask her if she would like to hang out and show you around