Adventure On...Hostelling International
--by Julie Beck
As I travel around the world, I stay at hostels, dormitory accommodations for the budget-minded. I love the reasonable price for lodging but more so, I love the interaction with travelers from around the world. To stay at a hostel, one needs a Hostelling International membership card ($28.00/year). I have been a hostelling member for 25+ years.
Three years ago, I received a telephone call from the president of the North Carolina Hostelling International Council. She wanted to know if I would be willing to get training and facilitate educational travel seminars. I was extremely interested but the workshop took place while I was scheduled to be in Australia so I declined. A year later, I was contacted again.
This time, I was scheduled to be in Montana. I did my best to convince the president that I was not available but she was confident that I was the person for the job. Reluctantly, I agreed flew from Montana to Boston for the training. Like most things in my life, little did I know what window of opportunity had been opened up for me.
Since that phone call, I have traveled to Boston, Chicago and Cape Cod for trainings. In the future, I will travel to Austin and Miami.
As soon as I went to my first meeting, I felt an instant connection with the facilitators and workshop participants. These are all people like me...people who love to travel the world, meet new people, travel on a shoestring budget and have new experiences. I was hooked on this organization immediately.
The two seminars that I facilitate for Hostelling International are ”World Travel 101” and “Women Traveling Solo.” In fact, I will conduct these workshops soon. WT101 will be held on Monday, October 11 and WT Solo will be held on Monday, November 11. Both will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Mount Olive College. Anyone can attend these free workshops and learn how to travel on a shoestring budget.
Recently, I was elected as the vice president on the board of directors for the N.C. Hostelling Council. The N.C. Council is one of 28 chapters of HI-USA, which is headquartered in Silver Springs, MD.
Through my council affiliation, I am meeting lots of people. In fact, I’m now beginning to cross paths with folks who I met at a previous workshop or conference. Recently, I ran into one of my former university professors (from Ohio) and a guy who is originally from Goldsboro. He told me that his mother reads my travel column on Sundays in the Goldsboro News Argus. Now, what are the chances of that? It is definitely a small world.
Some friends and I are headed to New York City soon and I have convinced them to stay at the New York Hostel with me. It is located 2 blocks from Central Park and costs $35.00/person/night. Where else can you stay in NYC in a good location for such a cheap price? Plus, the NY Hostel offers programs and advice about things to see and do while in the city. I am confident that my friends will love it...despite sleeping in bunk beds and using the bathroom and shower that are located down the hallway.
I have encouraged my friends to interact with the international visitors who will be staying in this 678-bed hostel. How many times can you sit in your “living room” (also known as the common area) and talk with people from around the world? It’s a great opportunity to meet others.
Years ago, I was staying in the Philadelphia Hostel when a young girl from Australia was checking in as I was checking out. She asked the hostel manager if he knew anything about North Carolina. The manager said, “Talk to this lady...she’s from N.C.” I had a 15 minute conversation with Sarah and gave her my business card. I told her if she got to Raleigh and needed help, give me a call.
Three weeks later, my telephone rang. “Hi, this is Sarah. I’m in Raleigh at the bus station. Can you pick me up?” I asked, “Who?” Then she reminded me that we had met in Philly. I knew exactly who she was. I told her to sit tight and I would be there in an hour or so. I picked her up and she stayed with me for a week. Sure, I didn’t know her, but I knew she was a backpacker and a world traveler. So many people have gone out of their way, especially overseas, to assist me and this was my time to pay it forward.
I always tell my parents, if someone calls and says that they know me and need a place to stay, tell them yes. They just want free housing, some home cooked meals and clean laundry. Over the years, my parents have accommodated several of my international friends.
So, as I continue my involvement with Hostelling International, I will share their mission, “to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling,” to people around the world.
If you would like more information about Hostelling International or the upcoming free travel educational seminars, contact me at julierbeck@gmail.com or at 919.738.0211.