Quote:
Originally posted by Joe Sixpack
1. I have NEVER stayed at a youth hostel in the USA. It has always been with inlaws or with friends.
2. You are lecturing me on travel? Man, in the last five years I have spent a year overseas on the road. I have visited 25 countries (not including my own). Do NOT tell me how to travel unless you have done more of it than me.
3. Youth hostel travel is not especially lame. It is far superior to staying at hotels where you never meet anyone. Other travellers are your best source of information i.e. Where to go, where to avoid etc. They are also usually fun to hang out with.
4. I almost always travel by myself (unless you count other travellers I meet along the way)
5. Australia is also a huge country with major regional differences. Remember, Australia is as big as the continental USA.
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O.K., Joe, I apologize for my presumption but I have never met an Aussie on the road who wasn't accompanied by his mates from home. It's cool you enjoy solo travel also. I know a lot of people wouldn't consider it. As for hotels vs. hostels, in Mexico you just have to seek out the hotels that cater to nationals. They are very friendly and it's easy to meet locals and other travelers who hate the overpriced uptight tourist hotels. I travel by bus because I fucking HATE flying and only do it when absolutely necessary. Can't help but meet other travelers that way.Australia matches the U.S. in size, but is it really as culturally diverse? A sincere question I have wondered about - Is bilingualism encouraged in Australia the way it is in Europe? Spanish is becoming a begrudging reality here in the U.S. esp. in the S.W. Being an isolated English speaking island is language education a "why bother?" or encouraged (like travel seems to be) as a way to experience culture?