A Traveling Lesson Learned At Nomads in Byron Bay, Australia
It was early evening when I arrived in Byron Bay, Australia, and the tourism office was closed.
So I took a walk about the town to see about accommodations for the next couple of nights. It was off-season (November) so I expected to be able to find a few choices of a great room at a great price, but not a lot was available and certainly not in any budget price range.
A friend where I had just come from, Brisbane, told me about a hostel called Nomads. It’s great, she said. So, with a bit of hesitation, I headed for it.
I was hesitant because I’m not exactly in college anymore. The thought of saying in a hostel was a bit foreign to me at this point in my life. I really didn’t want to be sleeping in a bunk bed sharing a room with four loud, drunk Aussie guys.
When I walked in, the lobby was buzzing with life. There were some cute girls – really cute girls – sitting on a couch with their laptops. People were chatting and drinking beers in groups. Being a very social person, I began to warm to the idea of staying in a hostel.
I went up to the check-in desk and half expected to be told, “er dude, this place is only for people in their 20s.” Instead, he greeted me in that warm Aussie way and did not even give me a second look regarding my looks (let’s just say that while I’m mentally in my 20s most of the time, I’m about twice that age in reality).
He provided me with the room options – shared with four people, with three people or with two people. I could also have a single room. The latter was more expensive than I had expected – $100 Australian dollars – but I took it.
He then told me about the various activities the hostel had each night, including group outings. He made me feel a part of the hostel and wanted me to take full advantage of its social advantages over staying in a hotel.
It was at this time that I realized there’s no age limits for staying in a hostel. I even came up with an idea to create “adult hostels.” I know of several friends in their 30s, 40s and 50s who often travel alone for work and they stay in those faceless hotels. If they had a place to go with people closer to their own age that had a community feel and group outings, they would stay there in a heartbeat.
The room, by the way was small and kind of worn but it was fine. When I was on the laptop, updating PubClub.com and doing other website work, I did it in the social buzzing area of the lobby rather than the solitude of my room.
Next time I stay in a hostel, I may opt for a roommate situation.
Yes, next time, because I’m no longer shy about staying in a hostel and you should not be either if you are “slightly” past your 20s.
Cheers!
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