Quote:
Originally posted by escorpio
O.K., Joe, I apologize for my presumption but I have never meet 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?
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Most Aussies only speak English. Although these days kids at primary school get more of a chance to start picking up the basics of another language than I did at primary school in the 1970's. Australia borders no other country and this is the heart of the problem. When you share no borders with people who speak other languages what's the point of learning a foreign language?
With regard to hostels, as far as I am concerned it's the ONLY way to travel. People who stay at hostels have very little money and you learn the most amazing money saving tricks from them. I rarely spend more than US$50 a day when travelling (and that includes accomodation). Some people cook their own food at hostels. People REALLY socialize at hostels. I've travelled in a group of twelve people representing nine different nationalities. Travelling on the cheap is the only way that sort of stuff happens. People at hostels are more real, more open and more friendly. I find hotels cold, impersonal and distant.
Travelling is an obsession with me. The only thing that will stop me is lack of money or death. I have been all the way around the globe twice and hope to go for a third round-the-world trip soon.