Popular Hostels for Backpackers

The International Traveler’s House in Lisbon, Portugal.  This place was simply amazing.  It was so modern looking, had a great dining area, a lady who cooked us an abundant and free breakfast every day, cool bathroom and shower area, free computers and internet, a comfy movie-watching area, fun local activities to do, and I met a lot of people from all over that I still keep in contact with.

Hotel Lucy in Montezuma, Costa Rica.  There wasn’t much to this place but I shared a two-bed private room with a friend that I met for super cheap.  It was ocean-side located so we fell asleep and awoke to the beautiful sounds of the ocean.  It was in the perfect location to walk to a huge gorgeous waterfall and the little town.  It’s often cheaper to share a room with a person because the establishment usually charges you per bed in the room anyways.

Jace Apartments in Lake Orhid, Macedonia.  This family-owned-and-run apartment complex was just awesome.  I didn’t want to leave.  I rented my own little studio with a small kitchen and everything you’d want like cable t.v, private bathroom, big bed, and more, for $20 a day.   The family was so welcoming, kind, generous, and warm.  They invited me to have coffee and food with them every day, they showed me around the town, they borrowed me their map to use, they made sure I got on the correct bus the day that I left, they let me use and print from their computer for free, and much more.  

Brussels- 2 Go 4 Hostel.  There are 2 locations whereas mine was located in the Grand Plaza which was really convenient for sight seeing.  There was a private bathroom, free internet, towels, linens, shampoo and conditioner, a bathtub and a tv. Reception desk closes at 11pm.  i paid 24 euros.

Berlin- the Circus Hostel.  The metro drops you off right in front of the hostel.  It is very modern and has a great atmosphere.  The staff is super nice and helpful.  Reception desk is open 24 hours.  They have everything you need to rent there.  Theres a bar downstairs that had a live band.  Its a very popular hostel. The bathrooms are shared amongst the whole floor though.  Linens are included.  There is cheap internet usage and it does offer a free walking tour of Berlin.  I paid 19 euros.

Prague- Miss Sophies Hostel.  Its walking distance from the train station.  It has been my favorite so far because the staff is so nice and helpful.  Reception is 24 hours. The rooms are small and have private bathrooms and even a fully stocked kitchen.   There is free internet, linens included, a nice lounge downstairs and all you can eat breakfast and dinners for cheap.  The chef is a vietnamese guy who is really nice and may even offer you free food if you just have a conversation with him.  There are lockers under the beds to lock up your stuff if you want.  Theres a laundry matt nearby that also offers free internet.  This place also let me take a shower and nap for free when i wasnt even staying there a different time.  i paid 17 euros.

Munich- 4 You Munchen Hostel.  It is just a few blocks from the train station.  Its cheap but not the best hostel.  It does have a nice lounge area, a pool table and a restaurant dining area downstairs but the bathrooms are shared and not very private.  Linens were included. The rooms are very bland and have many beds.  The internet is not cheap but there is an internet place nearby to go to.  The one thing that i did really like about this hostel is that it had a free breakfast from 7am to 10am.  It was so good.  There was so much food.  It definitely served the best free breakfast so far. i paid only 13 euros.

Milan- the Zebra Hostel.  You have to take the metro to get to the hostel so it isnt very close to the train station.   It is quite pricey but does has free internet and a free breakfast that wasnt the best.  There wasnt much to choose from. The bathrooms werent the greatest.  Most of the showers didnt work and you have keep pushing a button to turn the water back on. The room that i stayed in didnt have a door, just a big curtain.  The room was long and narrow and cold.  Linens were included. Its an okay place for just a night.

i paid 26 euros.

Venice- the Venice Museum Hostel, i think thats what it was called because i was searching for that hostel when i asked someone in a store if they knew where it was they pointed to a bland door down the street.  I went inside, it was a hostel but not sure if it was the hostel that i was looking for haha.  Anyways, it was very nice. the office was separate from the rooms so after check in, you walk along the river then over a wooden bridge to a courtyard.  it is close to the train station.  there are various floors of room and each room has a name.  you are given a set of 6 keys for your place. my room had only four beds in it, linens included, towels, a private bathroom, a tv, a balcony and it was clean and warm.  i liked it but it was a bit pricey.  i paid 28 euros.

Rome- Yellow Hostel.  its walking distance straight from the train station.  Its a popular hostel.  You get 30 free minutes of internet a day, linens included, towel rental, you get a 1 free drink ticket for the bar lounge that is attached, you get a discount ticket for the italian restaurant across the street, provides a good Rome tourist map, has a small collection of guidebooks to look at, good atmosphere, shared bathroom that is coed.  i paid 14 euros one night and 15 euros another.

Florence-  Academy Hostel.  Its easy to find because its next to the Duomo cathedral.  It is very pricey but it is very nice.  You get free internet usage, a kitchen to use, free breakfast, private bathrooms, smaller rooms that have lockers, its clean, warm, modern, good staff, free happy hour wine and food around 6pm.  I paid 32 euros.

Nice- Meyerbeer Beach Hotel (called Hotel but really is a hostel too).  I loved this place.  It is close to the train station and only two blocks from the beach.  It is small though but cozy.  Its going through  renovations so it has been cheaper.  There is free internet.  The first night i had a room for four all to myself.  There is a private bathroom in each room.  Since its off season, the guy gave me the room for only 15.50 euros which is great for its location and the type of hostel that it is.  It has a small stove and kitchenette in the room as well so you can cook food.  The staff is really nice.  Linens and towels are included along with shampoo and conditioner too.  No free breakfast though.  Reception opens at 8am and closes at 8pm so be aware of this so that you make it to check in on time, otherwise you can call them and they will give you the code to the door.  i think the code to the door was 01945.

Barcelona- Urbany Hostel.  Its not too far from Franco train station but you may want to take the bus for 1.40 euro if its dark out like i did but otherwise, during the day, its not too far to walk to.  Its a really big hostel, looks like a hotel.  Its modern.  The staff is super chill, they're pretty much stoners but are really nice.  The rooms are quite compact but its clean and has private bathrooms to each room.  There is a floor with free internet/computers and a cafeteria area.  There is a bar that serves alcoholic beverages as well for a fee.  You can use a sauna, pool and gym there too which is cool.  Towels are not included but linens are.  You have to give a deposit for the linens but you will get it back when you turn in your key and linens.  Breakfast is free and from 8-10.30am i believe.  There isnt a huge selection but i loved that they had a hot chocolate/cafe latte/coffee/cappuccino machine to use for free during those hours.  They had corn flakes and coco crispies, oatmal, yogurt, oranges, jam packets, rolls and butter, orange and fruit juice, milk, tea, coffee. There is also a laundry area for a fee. I paid 20 euros if i remember correctly.

Barcelona- Graffiti Hostel.  Close to Urbany hostel, on Arago street.  Its a much cheaper and not AS nice hostel as others but i liked it.  The staff was really cool.  Reception was 24 hours, internet/computers were free, there was a kitchen to use, linens included, movies to watch.  The bathrooms were single but shared.  On Fridays, its 5 euros for all you can eat pasta and sangria and on Saturdays its 5 euros for all you can eat barbaque which is burgers and hot dogs and sangria, sometimes other stuff too.  I didnt pay 5 euros because i bought my own food to make but the owner is really really nice and they made a lot of food so he wanted to make sure that everyone ate dinner so we had the barbaque for free.  Its a very welcoming hostel so people tend to stay there, some people for months!! for a small fee, there is also a bar/club crawl offered too.  I paid 10 euros for the night here!  Is quite a bit aways from the Sants train station though but i did walk it in less than an hour!  Hostel is nearby La Segrada Familia though and other sites! there is a really huge and cheap grocery store about 15 minutes from both Graffiti and Urbany hostels called Carafour? at the Glories centre comercial near the big blue and red lit oval building.

Madrid- International Youth Hostel Posada de Las Huertas.  Located in the center of most things.  Its close to the Opera or Sol metro stops but you can also walk there from the Atoche train station.  Its a really nice hostel.  It has free internet/computers, a kitchen to cook in, linens included with a deposit or give an ID to hold like i did.  Its very clean and modern and has a very helpful and friendly staff.  They give really good maps for free of Madrid.  Its walking distance from a lot of attractions, i walked it all from there.  There is free breakfast from 8-10.30 i think.  There isnt much of an option but they offer cornflakes cereal, toast and butter or jam, lots of apples, hot chocolate mix to make, milk, orange juice, coffee and i think that was it.  Try to go to breakfast early because people tend to sleep in late and get to breakfast later and then the food goes quickly and the kitchen gets packed so you may have to stand.  I went around 9am-ish and it was fine. i paid 20 euros for the night.

Lisbon- Travelers House Hostel- Really close to train station. Very warm, welcoming environment.  Had a Christmas tree, bean bag chairs, tv lounging area, nice area to sit and eat, a kitchen to use, helpful and really really nice staff, linens included, towels included, can have free coffee, tea and hot chocolate all day, free breakfast which is scrambled eggs, toast and butter and jam, honey, cornflakes and i think thats it. place is really clean and really a great hostel.  i paid 16 euros for the night. loved this place.

Dublin- Paddy's Palace- FREE shuttle to and from the Dublin airport! (very useful).  Kitchen to use.  If you stay a least two nights, you can go on a free tour.  Free breakfast and internet.  Must get out of the kitchen and common area at 11pm.  Rooms are pretty bare and bathrooms are shared and not the best.  Staff isn't the nicest.

Backpacking The Philippines

After Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in 2013 and I went to the island of Palawan since it’s cheaper than Boracay or Palau.  I flew into Puerto Princesa.  It’s a pretty small town with not much to do except to go on a few island hopping excursions which are always fun such as the Honda Bay islands (which include Starfish island) or to go into the “underwater rivers” which are dark bat caves that you boat through and take a tour.  It’s cool and the location is really pretty.  Most everyone visiting Puerto Princesa goes to El Nido (cost roughly 600 pesos and is anywhere between 4-6 hours of a drive. Mine took only 5 hours because they all drive like maniacs). I wasn’t going to go initially because I didn’t feel like sitting in a 7 hour crazy-winding-road car ride but I caved in and went.  I’m glad that I did.  It’s a super cool small beach town.  Despite being popular with tourists, there’s a lot to do like take different island hopping tours (there are 3 to choose from and cost 1200-1400 pesos but are really nice), go to Cabanas (will cost 150 pesos each way) or Napkan beach which are both a short tuk tuk ride away, and to walk the town. It’s a fun place at night because there are tons of cool restaurants that get set up along the beach for dinner and clubs where everyone hangs out all night at.  There are people from all over that go to El Nido so I met so many fun people.  I recommend staying in town if you go to El Nido versus closer to the beach, there are more things to do.  El Nido commonly loses power often for unknown lengths of time but no worries, the clubs have backup generators which, is why most people just hang out at the beach all night long.  If you decide to go to El Nido, be sure to withdraw some money before you get there because there aren’t many ATMs at all, if any.  Also, don’t bring any mangoes from Puerto Princesa to El Nido because there is a stop about a fourth of the way to El Nido where they stop vehicles and ask if you are bringing any mangoes. Strange, I know.

If you do decide to fly into Puerto Princesa, keep in mind that there is a terminal fee when leaving the island.  If you fly from Palawan to Manila or Cebu, the fee is 200 pesos, if you fly somewhere else internationally, the fee is 700 pesos.  Just a tip so that you can make sure you have enough because the ATM isn’t always working at the airport.  There is free WiFi in the airport though.

Many people that I met in El Nido told me that they first went to Coron which is a popular place to visit if going to the island of Palawan.

I haven’t spent nearly as much time in Manila as I have Cebu. I like Cebu. It’s a huge city, as is Manila, but there’s more to do and not AS notoriously dangerous as Manila is.  If you go to Cebu, be sure to get the regular taxis at the taxi stand (go to the right when exiting the airport), not the ones that you first see when you walk out of arrivals.  Those will rip you off.  Always be sure to have them run the meter or negotiate a rate beforehand.  This is the same with tuk tuks too.  You’ll easily get ripped off.  A taxi ride from the Cebu airport into town will cost anywhere between 200 and 400 pesos. 

I always went to Cebu because I had to travel down the coast to a ferry port to go to the island of Bantayan.  I went there a few years ago when the super typhoon Yolanda hit.  I was in SE Asia at the time so I decided to go live in a tent on somebody’s property and help debris clean, rebuild, play with the kids, and much more for a month.  I revisited Bantayan last March/April to see the remarkable changes and improvements.  Bantayan is a beautiful lively island but there isn’t much to do there.  I know a bunch of cool people who live there so if you decide to visit Bantayan, I can reach out to them and see if they have a bungalow on a beach available for you.  My friends own a nonprofit on the island and also own a new pizza shop.  I know someone who own a skydiving company there too if you’re interested in those kind of things!  If you decide to go to a bus station anywhere in Cebu or Manila, have 10 pesos ready if you take a taxi there because they charge a 10 pesos fee.  If you take a ferry from Cebu or Manila, be sure to have 15 pesos for terminal and ferry fees. 

When leaving Cebu or Manila and flying internationally, there is a 550 pesos exit fee. There is no fee when arriving at any airports, just departing in the Philippines.  Have this money before you get to the airport because there is no ATM there or it may not work.

If you like diving, many people go to Bohol, Malapascua Island, and Subic Bay.

Other popular places are: Borocay, Panay, and Palau.

Tips and Advice for Backpacking Europe

Even though i am extremely thrilled to be home, i am so glad that i had the experience that i did in Europe.  I think that i was a bit too ambitious and 13 countries in 35 days was too much.  Therefore, i wouldn't recommend doing exactly what i did in the same time frame.  It was very hard and i got really homesick many times but it's all a test of strength and character.  I definitely recommend getting a Eurail pass.  There are various types, prices and lengths of time.  I got the one month continuous pass for 544 euros.  As for the train stations, be prepared to deal with rude, mean and unhelpful people.  Someone told me before i left, not to stay in hostels near train stations because they were unsafe but that is where i mainly stayed and they were fine.  I stayed in hostels that were walking distance from the train stations except for in Milan and Berlin where i had to take the metro.  To save money with food: pack food from home to start out with like granola bars and fruit and then in Europe, go to local cheap grocery stores and buy food to cook in hostel kitchens and to carry along in your backpack.  You will be doing a lot of traveling, sitting and waiting so you will want those snacks.  Food in airports, train stations and restaurants are fairly expensive.  Take a reusable water bottle with you.  Of course empty it through security but then keep refilling it whenever and where ever you can in Europe.  Bottled water is expensive.  Don't pay for city maps, most hostels or train stations have them for free.  Although many locals will tell you that you have to take the metro, a bus or a taxi somewhere but usually it is within walking distance, so walk to save some money.  Most hostels have free internet or you can meet people and they may let you use their computer which saves you money from paying to use internet at cafes.  Carry tea packets or instant coffee or hot chocolate with you and just ask for hot water at places which is usually at no cost.  Most hostels have hot water kettles for you to use too.  For train reservations, i only had to pay in Portugal, Spain, south of France and Spain.  Sometimes when they tell you that you have to pay for a reservation, you can just tell them that you will stand and wait until the train moves and then sit in an empty seat.  This usually will work for short distances but you may want a reservation for longer distances so you dont have to worry about changes seats the whole ride.  For RyanAir, be sure to book in advance to get a cheap price, print out your boarding pass online for free, get a stamp on your boarding pass at baggage claim, wear most of your clothes and make your bag under 10 kilos so that you don't have to pay to check a bag in and get to the airport early!  Pack good walking shoes, a pair of boots, sweaters, winter jacket, gloves, warm socks, changes of clothes to stay warm.  Search for hostels with free amenities and even free shuttle service.  Don't get currency at train stations or airports, its a rip off, get money at time machines.  But, be careful, watch your back and be smart (i met someone who got robbed in brussels at a time machine).  Get an adapter for your electronics (you can get one for cheap at Radio Shack or even online).  Look into CouchSurfing for free accommodation.  Look into ferry rides which are fun experiences.  You don't have to book a hostel ahead of time.  I just wrote down 2 to 3 different hostels and their walking directions from the train station and when i got to the city i just got a map and followed my directions.  If booked, they will often help you find another hostel nearby that has availability.  Try to get to your next destination when it's still light out (be careful because in winter it gets dark around 4 or 430pm).  Dont be afraid to ask locals for help or others with backpacks who may also be backpacking.

Backpacking London

The RyanAir flight touched down around 4.30pm in London and it was already dark out.  I walked outside to the bus area to meet with a friend of a friend who i was staying with.  It was the brother of the lady that i stayed with in Ireland.  His name is Declan and he had a really nice family.  I told him about my boarding pass situation coming to London so he let me stop at his business to print off my boarding pass for my flight in two days to Dublin, Ireland.  Then, we went to his home.  I met his wife who was absolutely lovely and his younger son.  Later on i met their oldest son too.  They also had a black german shepard dog that was really nice.  It was so nice to be in an actual home instead of a hostel or on a train or a plane.  We sat around a watched the "X Factor" which is similar to American Idol.  It is hugely popular in England and Ireland.  Later on I took a bath which was so nice.  The younger son gave up his bedroom for me while i was there.  It felt so nice to have a good nights sleep in a comfortable bed. There was a t.v in the room so i watched "Toy Story" as i fell asleep.  It made me feel more at home. The only down part was that i was still feeling ill.

The next morning i got up super early.  I didn't have a clock so i thought that it was much later.  I didn't hear anyone awake so i thought that they left for work already.  I got up and went downstairs.  Everyone was still sleeping, it was actually only like 8am.  I made some tea and watched t.v and hung out with the dog until the others woke up.  After a while i got dressed and the others woke up.  I had to think of what i wanted to do that day.  The younger son wrote down for me how to take the metro tube to the London Bridge and how to get back.  The tube is the main means of transportation in London, it goes everywhere.  Declan and his son took me to the nearest metro station.  The son walked me inside and showed me how to pay for a day pass and showed me where to go.  I went to the London Bridge area and walked around.  It was freezing cold outside.  In England, they also drive on the opposite side of the car and the opposite side of the street.  I walked around for a few hours.  After a while i got too cold and took the metro back to the metro station that i came from.  I waited at a Starbucks across the street for Declan and his wife to pick me up later on.  That night we watched the finale to the "X Factor".    I tried to get to bed pretty early because i had to wake up at 4 in the morning to get to the airport for my 7am flight back to Ireland. Declan was to wake me up at 4am but somehow i woke up at 3.45am and started to get ready.  Throughout my entire trip, i would wake up a bit before the actual time that i had to get up, probably out of fear of over sleeping.  He drove me to the airport, it was still dark out and extremely foggy out.

I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare.  I wanted to get there early to give myself enough time to do everything and make sure everything goes smoothly.  I had my boarding pass already and i didnt have to check a bag so i went to the baggage check line and asked some people where i should go if i didnt have to check a bag.  They suggested that i just go to the gate.  So i went upstairs and went through security.  I exchanged the remaining pounds and pence that i had to euros.  I bought a hot chocolate and made my way to the gate.  It takes a while to walk there because you had to go upstairs and downstairs and down many hallways.  Finally when i got to the gate, i stood in line.  A worker came to check my boarding pass and she told me that i had to get a stamp on it from BAGGAGE CHECK! i told her that i wasn't going to have enough time to get alllllllllll the way back downstairs to baggage check and that i had a hurt foot that wasn't feeling good.  I went to the front of the line to the people at the desk and told me my situation and they said that i had 20 minutes and it was all up to me.  There wasn't anything that they were doing to do for me.  I right away threw away my full hot chocolate and ran as fast i could with my backpack with my sore foot to security.  They had a lady walk me passed security and downstairs to get a stamp.  Then she walked me back passed security where i still had to go through it but did not have to wait in line.  Then i had to run as fast as i could back to the gate and hope that i would make it in time.  I did.  Luckily the line was long enough and they were still boarding.  But, my foot was in SOO much pain.    I boarded the plane, limping, and flew back to Dublin, Ireland.

Backpacking Portugal

Well, the train ride from Madrid to Lisbon, Portugal was quite uncomfortable.  I didn't get much sleep.  I only booked a seat instead of a bed because they are cheaper.  On some trains, like the overnight train that I took to Switzerland, have reclining seats and are really nice.  But, this train to Lisbon, was like a time machine going back into the 70s.  The seats were completely upright, they did not recline at all.  It was also cold in the cart that i was in but, luckily it wasn't full so i was able to attempt to stretch my legs out.  It's strange taking overnight trains sometimes because they stop at the borders either really late at night or super early in the morning and sit there in the middle of nowhere for an hour or so.  When you peek out of the windows, it's quite eerie.  After a 10 hour train ride, i finally get to Lisbon at 7.30 am.  I only intend to be there for the entire day and then catch an overnight train at 10.30pm to San Sebastian in the north of Spain.  So, the first thing that i do when i get off of the train is go to the ticket booth to get my seat reservation for the night for that day.  But, the rude man tells me that the train is already completely full, except for first class which is like 60 euros extra.  Umm, no thank you.  So i ask about the next day's night train.  Again, he tells me that it's completely booked.  He was very rude and very short with me.  It seemed as if he didn't even take a look in the computer system to even check for seat availability.  I started to get a bit worried because my whole plan from that day on was to catch a night train to San Sebastian where i would stay for a night or two and then take another night train to Beziers in the south of France where i had to catch a flight to London at 3.45pm on December 11th.  So my whole goal was to get from Lisbon to Beziers, France in around 4 days.  I didn't know what to do.  The next train to San Sebastian wasn't until 2 more days which i didn't have the time for.  So i had to rethink my entire plan!

     I knew that i then had to find a place to stay in Lisbon for at least one night but, the problem was that i didn't look up any hostels beforehand because i wasn't planning on staying in Lisbon for the night.  Thankfully it was really early in the morning and i had plenty of time to figure things out.  Luckily, this train station had a tourist information desk, and it was open! what!?! crazy! ANNNDD the lady at the desk was very nice and very helpful! insane, i know.  She gave me a map of Lisbon and a booklet that had all of the local hostels listed in it with their locations.  She pointed out on the map of where the hostels were which was really nice of her.  I left the station and walked to find a hostel.  The tourist guide lady could have found a hostel for me and booked a room for me but it costs more.  So i decided to do it on my own.  I used my map to walk to the main tourist area of the area.  It wasn't far at all.  It was gorgeous outside.  It was fairly warm out and the train station is located beside the ocean and the sun was hitting the water in such a beautiful way.  On my way to find a hostel, i was admiring all of the buildings that i pass.  The buildings in Lisbon are spectacular.  They are very old, dirty and falling apart but in a way that is very artistic.  As i was walking and looking at my map and hostel booklet, a lady came to me and asked me if i needed some help.  I told her that i was looking for a hostel to stay at and she told me that she worked at a hostel herself.  She told me that the one that she worked at was further away so she took a look at my map and walked me to a closer hostel just around the corner.  I  thanked her and went into the hostel.  It was called "Traveler's House".  It was very warm, welcoming and well-decorated.  I was welcomed by a younger girl who came down to open the door for me because i wasn't pushing on it hard enough but i thought it was still locked, it was just stuck.  She led me up the stairway to the hostel area.  I asked her if there was room for just one person for one night.  She said yes and i was relieved.  She told me to take my backpack off and take a seat and get more comfortable.  After paying and checking in, she gave me a little tour of the hostel and explained everything that i needed to know about it.  The only thing was that i couldn't check into my room for another 2-3 hours because check out wasn't until 11am and then the rooms had to get cleaned and re-set and they didn't want new people going in and waking anyone who was sleeping.  So the girl told me that i could put my belongings in the storage closet that was free (some hostels have storage closets but there is a small fee to use it).  There was free internet and a t.v room with big comfy couches and a wide variety of movies to watch.  So i used the internet to look up train times and try to reconfigure my route plan to Beziers.  After a while, when i thought that i had a new plan, i walked back to the train station.  I stopped by the water and took some photos because it was just so pretty.  Once i got to the train station, the same guy was at the booth which i was kind of bummed about.  He wasn't the nicest or most helpful person.  I asked him what about the night train to Madrid the next night.  He said that there were a few seats left.  I booked my ticket back to Madrid, Spain so that i could right away go back to Barcelona for 2 more nights and then early December 11th take a morning train into Beziers, France and then get to the airport that same day.  I just had to really hope that those other trains were not going to be booked! But, i didn't want to worry too much about that. I wanted to enjoy Lisbon.

    I went back to the hostel and hung out in the lounge area and on the computers for a while until i was able to check into my room.  Most people were out and about so it was quiet and the computers were available.  There were big bean bag chairs, a christmas tree, a big red shaggy rug, hardwood floors and soft music playing.  I loved the atmosphere and feel of the hostel.  I felt very comfortable and at ease which i was really glad about.  While on the computer, i met a boy from Seattle who was studying in London.  We hung out for a while.  Eventually, it was time to take my stuff to my room.  One of the other hostel workers walked me upstairs to my room.  It was very clean, big and comforting.  There were six sets of bunk beds, three on each side of the room but, there were only three of us staying in that room for that night.  We got a towel to use for free as well and a safe box under the bed to use if we wanted.  That was nice but i didn't need it.  I went back downstairs and hung out and talked to people.  I didn't want to do very much that day because i was really tired from the lack of sleep on the overnight train the night before and from running around trying to figure out a new route back to Beziers.  I was exhausted.  Plus, i had the entire next day, until 10.30pm, to explore Lisbon, so i didn't feel that guilty about doing nothing my first day in Portugal.

            The staff at the hostel was really nice.  There were three workers, one girl and two guys.  The guys sat around and talked with us.  There were people from all over staying there.  The place must have had a lot of beds that i hadn't all seen because every time i saw someone come through the doors, it was a new face.  It was weird.  There were people sitting in the dining area so i went in there and chatted.  The hostel had free hot chocolate, coffee and tea so i helped myself to come hot chocolate, often.  I met a few people studying in Spain and just traveling for the weekend, some people from the states, some Austrailians and many others.  This hostel, unlike most, did not have an age limit so there were people of all ages staying there.  That was nice to meet older people and learn why they were traveling.  Later on, one of the hostel workers walked me to a grocery store to show me where it was.  I bought some food to make for dinner in the kitchen of the hostel.  There was a keg with all the beer that you can drink for 6 euros and then a bar crawl for a small fee but i wasn't into that.  But i did hang out with everyone and talked while people drank, played card games and just mingled.

     The next morning, i woke up with a cold.  I was not feeling well at all.  I went down for breakfast which was free.  There was a cook at made eggs and toast if you wanted and then there was a help-yourself table with cereals, oatmeal, jam and juice.  I ate breakfast but then just rested in the t.v lounge room.  It wasn't until the afternoon that i went out to see as much of Lisbon as i could.  One of the hostel workers drew a route on my map of how to get to all of the good stuff to see in the area and where to go.  It was really helpful.  I set off first to go see a castle.  On my way, i ran into a girl that i met when i was at the Madrid train station at night waiting to catch the night train to Lisbon.  We stopped and talked for a bit and exchanged contact info and then continued on our ways.  Most of the roads in Lisbon are extremely steep so you're walking straight up and down roads the entire time.  I stopped at a few flat areas to take pictures of the ocean which was gorgeous.  The clouds were hovering over and it was soon going to rain so i tried to hurry a bit.  I went to a castle at the top of the hills then i went back downhill to the shopping area which wasn't far from where my hostel was.  The streets were very slippery from the dampness of the rain so you have to be very careful walking downhill on the roads so it's best to have good walking shoes with good traction on the bottom.
I wanted to buy my mom and her friend a gift so i went into a bunch of souvenir shops to compare items and prices.  There were a couple shops on the way up and down the hill to the castle as well as in the main tourist area which was where my hostel was located.  Most of the shops are alike, carrying the same items.  I wanted to buy a couple of Portuguese scarves so i tried to find the ones that i like best and for the best prices.  Everything there was pretty cheap because the there are so many shops and they all are competing for your business.  The only thing that i didn't like about shopping there was that each store that you go into, the store worker stands close to you and everything that you touch, s/he says "that's the one that you want?".  I tell him that i'm not sure and that i am just looking and trying to decided.  They try to hurry your purchase.  I got really annoyed. 
Later that night, four of us got ready and headed to the train station for our night train to Madrid.  The train this time was completely full so there was little to no room to stretch out or move around.  We met new people on the train and we went to the bar on the train to sit and chat for a while until we got tired.  I wasn't feeling too well since i was sick so i had a hard time falling asleep on the train.We got to Madrid early in the morning.

I really liked Lisbon a lot.  I'm glad that i had to stay the night there.  I loved the hostel that i stayed at.  The people were amazingly friendly and it was such a nice hostel.  I met really cool people and had a great time with all of them.  Lisbon was just beautiful.  I would love to go back again some day and see more of Portugal.

Backpacking Spain

  We had to change trains i think two or three times and weren´t going to get to Barcelona until 8pm.  At the border of France and Spain, we had to go through border control who asked us for our passports about three different times.  We had to wait quite a bit for the train to begin going again.  Finally we got to Barcelona around 8pm.  We waited at the Franco train station for one of the girls´friends but she didnt come meet us so we jumped on a bus to go to the hostel.  We found the hostel, it was called Urbany Hostel.  It was really nice.  It was like a little hotel.  It had a dining floor with free internet and a bar, a laundry area (of course you had to pay though) and a really nice staff.  The rooms were pretty cramped but it was clean and modern.  Since we got there so late, i just went to get some food and then went to bed.  The hostel didn´t have room for me the next night since i didnt make a reservation and it was busy so i had to find a different hostel, or catch a train somewhere else.  I didnt get to see any of Barcelona yet so i didnt really want to leave yet.  The hostel had a free breakfast until 10am so i went to get something to eat.  I ate so much because i knew that i would be walking a lot around Barcelona that day, and it´s free food! i had five bowls of oatmeal and yogurt and six cups of hot chocolate! :)  Since i had to find a new hostel, checked out and asked the front desk where nearby would have space for me.  They told me about a place about five blocks away called Graffitti Hostel.  I got a little lost trying to find it because the streets change names so quickly and there are so many diagonal streets but then, an older spanish lady came to help me.  I told her where i was trying to go and she took me all the way there.  She took me to the front desk upstairs and waited for them to say that they had room for me.  I was so gracious for her help, she was really sweet.  Im glad that im finally in a country where i can communicate, besides for the U.S of course.  This hostel was even cheaper than the other hostel which was nice, and the staff was really nice too.  After checking in, i put my things in my room and asked the front desk for a map and what to go see.  I walked around Barcelona for about 5 hours.  I walked to the top of Parc Guell which was sooo high up and took forever and was on such a steep hill that most people take a bus to get up there.  Then i walked to see La Familia Segrada by Gaudi, then to the Barcelona Harbor, then to Las Ramblas which is where the little shops are and then all the way back to the hostel.  I liked Barcelona a lot because the buildings by Gaudi were really cool, the hostels were nice and there was a lot to see, and it was pretty cheap but, i didn´t like Las Ramblas because there were too many people.  I was exhausted after all the walking so i went to get food to make at the hostel and relaxed.  The owners of the hostel were having a little barbeque so if you paid five euros, it was all you can eat.  I wanted to make my own food but later on, there was enough food left over that the owners wanted everyone to eat, so i had some free food too.  Usually everyone goes out really really late in Spain but i wasn´t going out.  Most people in the hostel were too tired so we all just hung out.  Later on, the owner put on a movie for everyone to watch.  Me and the girls in my room just hung out and talked.  The next morning i checked out and headed for the train station.  It was quite a ways away so i left early.  After walking for about an hour, i got to the train station.  I was planning on going to Valencia for the next day and night but then i figured i should just go to Madrid because i was going to have to pay for a reservation for both then, and i really wanted to go to Madrid.  So, i got my reservation and waited two hours for the train.

My train left at around 3pm and i wasnt going to get to Madrid until 6pm.  The train ride was okay.  The train was really nice and it had a movie for us to watch so they gave us headphones to have.  The train stations in Spain are a bit more strict than some others, you have to put your stuff through security scanners and you cant get to the platforms until 20 minutes before departure and until you show your tickets.  Most train stations, you can just go to the platforms whenever you want.  Once in Madrid, it was getting dark so i wanted to find a hostel quickly.  I took the metro to the center of the city where there were hostels.  I went to a few of them and they were all full but, finally i found a International Youth Hostel called Posadas de Huertas.  It was pouring rain outside and the streets were completely crowded with people.  I was glad to be at the hostel.  It only costed 20 euros and it had free internet and a free breakfast, which is always good.  After checking in, i put my things in my room and then came to the kitchen area to eat and to use the internet.  I wanted to get to bed fairly early because i was so tired, and wet.  I didnt get to sleep very well because there were some foreign girls in my room who kept coming and going and turning the lights on and being offly loud, and then they left really early so they had the lights on again.  I was on the top bunk so the light was right above me.  The next morning, i took a shower and got ready to go eat breakfast.  I wanted to get to the kitchen earlier because usually people come later so the earlier you get to breakfast, the better.  They didnt have much of a variety to eat though.  After eating as much as i could, i went to got all of my stuff and checked out.  The front desk gave me a map of Madrid and i was on my way to sight-see.  I walked all over, for a really long time.  The streets of Madrid are so packed with people, i didnt like that.  Also, it kept raining heavily off and on, so that got annoying.  After a while, i realized that i had way too much time until my overnight train leaves to Portugal so i went back to the hostel.  Here, i ate and am using the internet until i think i should head to the train station, which is quite a bit away.  There are three train stations in Madrid and the one that i have to go to is the furthest away.  I have to catch an overnight train to Lisbon, Portugal at 10:25pm tonight.

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When i arrived back in Madrid from Lisbon, Portugal, me and the American girl that i met in Lisbon exchanged contact information and parted ways.  I had to find the ticket windows to get a reservation right away to Barcelona.  When i was at the window, it was the same lady who helped me when i was going to Lisbon from Madrid.  She was a nice lady.  She recognized me and asked how my time in Portugal was.  I asked for a reservation to Barcelona.  She got me my ticket but she failed to tell me that i had to catch the metro train to the other Madrid station, so i missed the train that i was suppose to catch.  I went back to the window of the lady and asked her why she didn't tell me, she said that she thought i already knew that i had to change stations.  At first she said that i was going to have to pay for another reservation which i told her that i was not going to do because it was not my fault.  But, then, she found a way to cancel my other reservation and book me a new one.  I right away jumped on the metro train and got to the other train station.  I then found my where my train to Barcelona was at.  The train ride into Barcelona was good. It was the train that played a movie.  Once i got to Barcelona, i had to to find the window where i could book my reservation to Beziers, France on December 11th for my flight.  It took me a long time to finally get my reservation because they sent me back and forth between different windows and no one seemed to know what they were doing.  I was worried that the train was going to be booked.  Luckily, it wasn't and i got my reservation.  Then, i had to jump on the metro train to get to my hostel that i stayed in before.  I took the metro to Gaudi's La Segrada Familia because i knew how to get to my hostel from there.  I got to my hostel around 4pm.  They had plenty of space for me.  I just rested up for the next two days before the 11th. 

On December 11th, i woke up around 5am and got ready to walk to the train station.  I left really early in the morning, it was still dark out.  My train was leaving at 8am but i wanted to give myself enough time to walk to the train station.  I thought that i knew exactly how to get there but i got a bit lost.  I asked a few people along the way where i was and i got there with enough time to spare.  I waited for a while and then walked across the street and bought a really small coffee to go.  It was gross and not cheap, kinda wish i didn't buy it.  Oh well.  Then i got onto the train and headed to the south of France.  Goodbye Spain.

Backpacking Italy

On my way to Milan, not only was i feeling nautious from the swerving of the train through the Swiss mountains and my ears popping but also, i was taken back by the border control that got onto the train.  They check random luggage and choose a couple peopel at random and ask for documents.  They even had a dog to smell the luggage and search for drugs.  I didnt know what was going on until a boy that i was talking with across from me explained it to me and said that it was normal.  Thats the only time that ive seen that on all of the trains that i have taken so far.  Since i got to Milan much later than i wanted to because my train broke down AGAIN, so i had to change trains again, i decided to stay at a hostel.  I was kind of worried that the hostels would be really expensive since it is Milan but i found one that was reasonably priced.  It was called the Zebra Hostel.  After walking around Milan for a bit and taking photos, i met a group of younger people who were really nice and helped me find the tram stop that took me to my hostel. It was a bit away from the train station so i had to take the metro train.  Luckily, the hostel had free internet and free breakfast in the morning.  I didn't do much in Milan because it was already dark out when i got there and i had to catch a train to Venice around noon.  I definitely did notice that everyone in Milan dresses really well.  They will give you a strange look if you are wearing jeans and tennis-shoes.  I felt like an outsider walking aroudn with my big backpack on.  It was also freezing in Milan so i had on so many layers of clothes too.  The train ride from Milan to Venice was only around three and a half hours. 

The train ride coming into Venice was awesome because you are surrounded by water on both sides of the train.  At the Venice train station, the river is right in front.  Venice was exactly what i pictured it to be like.  The river, gondolas, old buildings with colorful shutters, cobble stone roads, lots of bridges and shops.  My hostel was just across the river near the train station.  It was a little villa with only four beds, a balcony, a tv and a private bathroom.  I liked it a lot.  I walked around Venice for so long, mainly because i got lost a lot.  Out of all the cities that i have been in so far, Venice is so easy to get lost in because the roads are small, narrow and plentiful and the names change every few steps.  Also, the buildings are towering over you so you can't use a landmark as a point to help you know where you are. Walking in Italy is so annoying because everyone just stops in front of you, bumps you, steps on your heals and is completely oblivious to everything and since the roads are narrow, they're always in your way! Venice was beautiful though.  The next morning i walked over to the train station and caught a train to Rome.

  I got to Rome around 2:30pm but it was raining and not a very nice day out and i was absolutely exhausted.  I followed the directions to my hostel that i had written down.  I found it alright, the streets in Rome are much easier to navigate unlike in Venice.  My hostel was called Yellow.  It had a vibrant atmosphere and seemed to be a good place to stay.  I checked in, it only costed 15 euros for my first night.  They gave me a one-free-drink card for the bar lounge that was connected as well as 30 free minutes of internet use on their touchpads a day.  I took my belongings to my room and chose my bed.  I have been on the top bunk in every hostel so far, except in Venice and Prague because the rooms only had four beds in them.  Its not because i have chosen the top bunk either but rather because i have always been one of the last people to check into a room.  But thats okay, i like the top bunk, sometimes.  I was just way too tired to walk around Rome in the rain and my foot was killing me so i took a nap.  Later on i learned that that was not the best idea because i could not fall asleep at night.  After my nap, i went down to the bar lounge area to use the internet and to look at a Europe guidebook that they had.  I hung out there for while and as it got later, more and more people started to come to the lounge to hang out.  I had a cafe latte for free.  The coffee drinks in Europe are good, of course, but they are so small.  At times all that i want is a big cup of hot chocolate or flavored coffee drink but everything is so small.  So, i had to go to Dunkin Donuts, which i never do, to get a large chai tea latte in  Munich.  Starbucks also is where i can get an american sized drink and theres no lack of Starbucks in Europe.  After a while, i met a girl from Brazil who is studying in Paris. We sat and talked for a long time.  The lounge filled up with younger people, mostly everyone staying in the hostel.  Then i went to bed to try to get some sleep.  The next morning i decided to stay another night at the hostel because i wanted to walk around Rome and i wasnt sure how long that would take me.  My second night only costed me 14 euros.  I began my sight-seeing adventure at 10am.  The hostel gave me a map that had all of the tourist sites on it so i knew where to go.  I walked for four and a half hours around Rome.  I literally covered every corner of the tourist map.  I saw everything from the Collesseum, the Pantheon, the Isla something and much more.  I went to the Vatican as well but there are long lines to wait in to get into it and i didnt want to wait.  The same is with the Collesseum which you also have to pay for to go in it.  I didnt go in, i just saw it from the outside which was still cool.  I found a grocery store to buy some food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I try not to spend much money in restaurants because it can be very costly.  I stopped to rest on the stairs of some tourist site, i forgot the names of everything.  Some tourists, a mother and older son, wanted to take a picture with me, why, i have no idea, im not sure if they thought that i was a local italian girl or what. it was funny.  After i saw the Collesseum, i started to head back towards my hostel.  I finally got back around 2:30pm-ish and i was beat.  I rested in my room for a bit before i went down to the lounge to hang out.  Later on, i ran into my Brazilian friend and we ate our grocery-store dinners in the lounge area.  They had on a Chicago bears football game on which was weird to see.  Then they put on a soccer game and everyone was so into it, of course.  After a while i went back to my room for bed.  There was a boy from South Korea who was staying in my room.  We talked about different things for a long time. He was funny.  I got up early the next morning and checked out.  Check out at hostels are usually between 10 and 12, each hostel has a specific check out time.  I went to the train station to jump on a train to Florence.  I didnt bother waiting in line to ask if i needed a seat reservation or not.  Turns out that i didnt and that my Eurail pass was just fine but in Italy and Spain, usually the trains are pretty full that you need to book a seat, even though i have a eurail pass.  Its annoying and pointless.  It usually costs around ten euros but a few times, there were enough seats open to just sit down so now i only book a reservation for longer distances, over night trains and if the ticket person is completely adament about it.  The people in Europe are not the friendliest people. In Paris, of course, they are known to not like Americans, which they dont and in Italy, they also tend to have huge attitudes.  Of course, there are exceptions.  Usually younger people and a few old people are really helpful.  I have met quite a few really nice locals who want to help me.  In Rome, a cute old lady saw me standing there looking at my map and came across the street to ask if i needed help finding something.  She spoke english perfectly because she was from Denmark but has lived in Rome for many many years.  She was so nice.  Rome was a cool city with a lot to see but after a while everything just seems to look alike.  Very old buildings, churches, stairways, fountains, crucifixes, stores, bakeries, cobble stone roads, etc.

In Florence, i went to a hostel that a someone in Rome recommeded to me.  It was easy to find because it is nearby the Duomo cathedral.  I checked in but this hostel is the most expensive that i have stayed in so far.  It costed 32 euros a night but it is a really nice hostel.  It is very clean, really cool rooms with just 4 beds, a private single bathroom with a clean shower, towels, a kitchen to use whatever we want, free breakfast, tvs with dvds to watch, playstation to use and free internet.  So i guess its worth the cost.  Its nice to stay in a better hostel than just always staying in cheaper ones which are safe but arent the most comfortable and you have to share bathrooms and rooms with up to 12 other people.  I went to the store to get some food to cook in the kitchen.  At 6pm at the hostel, they offer free pasta salad, bruscetta and wine and people sit around and talk which is different and cool.  I like this hostel a lot, i just wish it was a bit cheaper so then i would stay another night.  Im not on a top bunk this time but in our room there are 4 beds, 2 down and 2 up a little stairway on a balcony and i am upstairs.  Its a very contempory hostel.  Tomorrow, im going to go to walk around Florence for a bit and then catch a train to either Nice or Monaco in France.

Backpacking Germany

The overnight train to Berlin from Amsterdam took around nine hours.  I just booked a reserved seat instead of a sleeping cabin to save money.  The seats are fine because they are like small cabins and if theres no one next to you, then you can lay down.  I could barely sleep because people kept coming and going at the stops and being loud.  I met an Austrailian backpacker on the train who had been to Berlin before.  We arrived in Berlin really early in the morning.  I found that trying to get around Berlin is quite hard because of the difficult names of things.  Luckily, the Austrailian knew how to get to a hostel.  The hostel that I stayed at was called The Circus.  It was super nice and only cost 19 euros a night.  It was really colorful, hence the circus theme, and the staff was really friendly and helpful.  There was a cafe connected to it, a bar with a live band downstairs, free walking tours and tons of things there to do.  I went on a free walking tour of Berlin the next morning after trying to get some sleep after the overnight train ride.  The tour was 4 and a half hours long and it was rainy and cold.  But, i did get to see a lot of Berlin and learned a lot about its history.  I got to see things like where Hitler lived, where he was cremated, whats left of the Berlin wall, where Michael Jackson dangled his child blanket over the railing, and much more.  I had a good time but i was ready to go back to the hostel and get dry and warm.  I roomed with 9 other people, all Austrailians, strange, the first night.  There were a lot of Austrailians traveling, and most of them were on thier own or in pairs.  The next night i had to change rooms because i wasnt sure if i was going to stay another night or not so that room got booked.  But, that was okay because i got to meet new people in my new room.  And, of course, there were two more Austrailians haha. Everywhere that i go, i find that everyone thinks eachothers accents are funny.  Everyone likes my, so called, American accent.  By, the way, if youre wondering why theres a lack of puncuation marks or errors in typing, its because everywhere i go, the keyboards are different.  Weird.  After spending two nights in Berlin, i was ready to head to Prague.  I had a great time in Berlin and met a lot of really cool people.  I like to hear what everyone is doing, where they have gone, where they are going and how long they have been traveling for.  One Austrailian has been traveling for  nine months so far and started in Asia.  He then went to places like Dubai, Yemen, the middle east, eastern Europe and now Western Europe.  He is heading towards Africa and plans to be traveling for about a year and a half.  Insane. But, he had the craziest and funniest stories to tell.  I plan to go to come back to Germany in a few days.

After my first visit to Prague, I came to Munich, Germany.  I stayed in a hostel called 4 You Munchen.  It was cheap and had a free breakfast which was nice.  I got into Munich at night so i didnt do much that day.  Using the internet at the hostel was a bit costly so i found a nearby internet cafe. The next day, i had a few hours before i had to catch a train to Salzburg, Austria so i walked around the city center in Munich.  There was a big ice skating rink set up with lots of Christmas decorations everywhere.  Of all the places i have been so far, Germany definitely has the most Christmas decorations up.  There were lots of cute clothing stores, churches and the mayors building which was an awesome building.  It is one of my favorite buildings that i have seen so far because it is very old, rustic and detailed.  I also walked past a window display of little mechanical stuffed animals all doing things like jobs, living in a house, cooking, etc. I thought that it was absolutely adorable. i loved it.  I made my way back to the train station then.

Backpacking France and Belgium

I took a 3 hour train ride down the east coast of Ireland from Dublin to the very south to a town called Rosslare.  Once in Rosslare, I boarded a huge ferry that was going to take me to Cherbourgh, a city in France that is on the very west coast near the top.  I had never been on a ferry before so i didn't know what to expect.  I waited at the ferry station in Rosslare for a small van to come pick me and two other backpackers up to take us to the ferry.  Once we got near the ferry, we drove right onto it, along with semi trucks and cars.  We walked to an elevator that took us to the the 10th floor of the ferry.  The place was huge.  I didn't book at sleeping cabin on the ferry because it is pretty expensive, so i just booked a reserved seat.  I was kind of worried what the "reserved seat" for such a long ride was going to be.  But, it wasn't too bad.  On the 10th floor are the rooms for just the reserved seats and we were allowed to go to whichever room we wanted and sit/lay wherever.  I chose to plant my things and sleep on the floor along a wall in a room with one of the other backpackers that i met on the way to the ferry as well as other people.  The ferry ride took about 18 hours, i wasn't expecting that. I was afraid that i was going to get sea sick, but i didn't.  Our floor had a movie theatre. On the floors below, we could go to restaurants, big lounge areas, a bar, an arcade, a kids play area, shops, a salon and more. You could even take a shower on the ferry too. We could also go onto the roof of the ferry which was outside.  It was very beautiful to see the sunset and rise and the horizon there but, it got offly cold.  As we approached France, i gathered my things and the three of us backpackers went to the 5th floor to exit.  We walked outside to a bus that took us to the customs building of France where we had to show our passport and get a stamp.  Then we walked to the train station which was about 20 minutes away.  Lucky, one of the backpackers named Lauarent spoke french so he helped a lot at the train stations.  We all took the same train going east but Sonja, the other backpackers from Finland, got off in So Li.  Laurent and i took the train to Paris which took about 3 hours.  I was a bit taken back when i got to the Paris train station because the military walks around with their guns out.  Once in Paris, we split ways and i walked around Paris at night to see the lights and buildings.  Paris is filled with lots of very expensive stores, wealthy people at art shows and fancy events, very much what i pictured Paris to be like. People in France are not too fond of Americans, especially if you do not speak any French.  They can be extremely rude and arrogent.  I ended up staying with a friend in Paris.  I would definitely recommend that anyone who wants to stay in Paris should do a lot of research on where they are going to stay because it is very expensive.  Many french people speak enough English to answer your questions.  The next morning, i walked to the nearest train station and got a ticket to Brussels.  I had to transfer trains 3 times until i finally got to Brussels.  In Brussels i walked around a bit and saw the Grand Plaza.  I found a hostel to stay in. Brussels is farely large and there are many areas of it.  The part that i am in is very pretty.  There is a very diverse amount of restaurants here.  The candy, chocolate and waffles in the windows are very inticing.  The architecture is great and the whole area had a very old rustic feel to it. Tomorrow, i am going early to the train station to catch a train to Amsterdam.


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The train ride back to the South of France was absolutely gorgeous.  We passed several bodies of water which had beautiful scenery.  After about 4 hours, i got to Beziers, France.  At the station, i wasn't sure how to get to the airport.  I went outside to the buses and asked the bus driver how to get to the airport.  He wasn't sure.  I asked a few patrons outside but they didn't really know either.  The bus driver said that if i just jump on the bus and take it to the bus station, there would be a bus that goes to airport.  When i got to the bus station, a lady on the bus tried to help me find the bus to the airport.  She asked around for me but no one knew.  I looked at the bus scheduling board and it said that the next bus to the airport wasn't leaving until 5pm, which was after my fight was leaving.  I started to get really scared.  I then knew that i had to take a taxi but i wasn't sure how i was going to get a taxi.  There are taxi signs around where taxis are suppose to be at but there weren't any taxis in sight, anywhere.  I walked to the busy street down the block in hopes to see a taxi, i didn't see one anywhere, not even taken ones.  I asked a few people how to get a taxi and they told me to go to the taxi signs.  After freaking out for a while, i stopped an older lady and asked her how i could get to the airport.  She saw that i was upset and she offered to drive me to the airport.  I was SOOOOO grateful and happy! She just wanted to stop for a small coffee first.  That was the only time that i was glad that the coffee sizes in Europe were so small.  The lady spoke very little English was we were able to communicate.  We drove for about 40 minutes to the airport.  It was in the middle of nowhere and it was extremely small.  It was one of the airports where you walk out to the planes.  The lady parked and walked me inside the airport to make sure that i was okay and everything was set for me because she was able to communicate in French.  I didn't want to keep her any longer because i was so appreciative for what she had already done for me so i told her that i was okay.  Little did i know that i had to print out my boarding pass for RyanAir.  Since i didn't print it out beforehand, i had to pay another 40 euros!!! that's about 55 dollars.  I was so pissed.  I tried to explain that i didn't have a printer because i staying in hostels and they didn't have printers.  The lady who worked for RyanAir didn't care at all.  I had to go to a desk to pay the 40 euros for my boarding pass.  I tried to pay with my debit card but the lady said that it was declined.  That made me worry that something may have happened with my bank account since i had been using my debit card at different cash machines throughout Europe.  That stressed me out even more.  I then was going to pay with cash but she said "we don't take cash". So luckily i had a backup emergency credit card, so i paid with that.


Then i went through security.  They are so impatient with you.  They checked my passport just about every 5 feet that i went.  I sat and waited to board.  With RyanAir, there aren't assigned seats so you sit wherever you'd like.  You have to walk outside to the plane.  It's an really small, packed plane.  As soon as you take off, they try to sell just about anything and everything to you such as cigarettes and coupons.  They don't pressurize the plane so your ears continue to pop.  The plane ride wasn't too long and before i knew it i was in London, England.

Backpacking Ireland

Cities and Things to Do There

I flew into San Jose, the Capital city. Well, actually the airport is located in the city of Alajuela, but it’s considered San Jose.  They are connected and huge cities.  There isn’t much to do in San Jose. The Capital cities in Central America are massive, very crowded, and not the safest.  There is a popular bus station called La Coca Cola where you can buy cheap bus tickets to a lot of cities.  It’s a great place to venture off to other cities to.  Always be careful and aware of your belongings while at this bus station.

Manuel Antonio was my favorite place in Costa Rica.  It is what you picture Costa Rica to be like; full of green plants and jungles, gorgeous beaches, wildlife. There is a national park located down the hill near the beach that costs $10 and you can walk through it and see lots of animals like monkeys, birds, sloths, strange animals, etc. It leads to the most stunning beaches. When at the main beach in the park, as a local beach worker where the pathway to climb to view over the beaches is at. It leads to a cool view up high overlooking the beaches.  Manuel Antonio is a city with one main road that leads up and down to the beach so it’s really easy to get around there. The daily bus that leads up and down the main road costs only like 10 cents.  There is also a private beach that you can walk to that’s in the opposite direction of the main beach below.  It’s cool because all that is there are some wild cows chilling on this beautiful empty beach.

South of Manuel Antonio is a city called Dominical.  I hadn’t visited there but I heard that it’s amazing and has great beaches too. I’d recommend going there.

From Manuel Antonio or Dominical, you have to get a bus to Quepos then took a short/cheap taxi to Puntarenas to buy a cheap ferry ticket (the ticket office is in a small bakery, ask people where it is) across the Nicoya Peninsula to Paquera.  From Paquera, you can catch a bus to different places. That ferry costs like $2 and take like 1-3 hours. It’s a huge ferry and it’s a nice time.

I went from Paquera to Cobano (a short change of bus) to Santa Teresa, a surf town.  You can rent surf boards or take surf lessons here.

I went from Santa Teresa to Mal Pais to Barranca (change of bus) to Montezuma.  The beach is nice here. It’s a cute little town. I walked to a huge waterfall where you can cliff jump or swim.  You have to ask around to where to find the way to the waterfall.  I paid $40 (be sure to shop around and bargain and try to pair up with others in a group) for a boat ride to an island called La Isla Tortuga from here.  The tour included a speed boat ride, sightseeing of the “Rainbow Rock” in the ocean, snorkeling, hanging out on the island, lunch and water.  There are lots of types of tours to choose from.

I then crossed the Nicoya Peninsula to the mainland and went back to San Jose for the night. I then caught a bus to Monteverde. This is a city up in the mountains known for it’s “Cloud Forest Reserve”.  It’s high up above clouds.  It’s a small town with lots of tours for nature and activities.  I walked across hanging bridges above the forests.  It was super cool but scary lol. You can also zipline and other stuff here.

I went from Monteverde to Liberia (another big main city with a popular bus station). I caught a bus northwest to a beach surf town called Tamarindo.  This was my second favorite place.  The beach is awesome.  You can take surf lessons and walk around the town. There are lots of tourists here and lots of people to meet and hang out with.  There are lots of beach cites just north and south of Tamarindo such as Playa Flamingo, Playa del Coco, and Playa Conchal.  All of those I heard were nice.

I did not get over to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica but I heard that Tortuguero is extremely nice.

La Fortuna is another place that I didn’t get to but is popular for it’s volcano which you can climb and hike. The same for Arenal, another popular volcano area.

The Hostels that I Stay At

San Jose: Molino Rojo. Located on Paseo Colon, a busy main road.  This hostel is nice for a short overnight stay.  They have a kitchen to use to cook food, just like most hostels do in central America, which is nice. There are computers to use for free and free wifi. Grocery stores and places to buy food are walking distance.  La Coca Cola bus station is a short taxi ride away or a good walk down the main road. 

Manuel Antonio: Backpackers Manuel Antonio.  Cool hostel, lots of people. Cool location. Outdoor kitchen. Free wifi. Free use of their phone for one international call a day. Bus stops right in front of it. Located on the main road. Beach is a short ride down the hill.

Santa Teresa: Tranquilo Backpackers. Cool outdoorsy hostel with hammock hanging everywhere. Big outdoor kitchen to use. Surfboards to rent. Located off of the main dirt road. Free wifi. Free computers to use. Walking distance to the beach.

Montezuma: Hotel Lucy. I loved this place. I shared a room with a friend. It was cute, had mosquito nets, located right on the beach, Oceanside patio. Kitchen to use to cook.  Free wifi. Free towels to use.

Monteverde: First I stayed at Las Cabinas el Pueblo.  Common room with cable tv to watch, kitchen to use, free breakfast, free wifi, free computers to use, cute little place.

Then in Monteverde I stayed at Montelena Hostel Backpackers. Nice, free wifi, kitchen to use, cheaper.

Tamarindo: First I stayed at Pura Vida.  It’s located further up the road, away from the beach. Kind of hard to find. Nice little place.

Then in Tamarindo I stayed at Coral Reef.  I liked this place a lot. It was cabin-like, located in the main area, close to the beach. It’s cheaper than most places. Lots of tourists there. Fun place.

ADVENTURE and ACTIVITIES

Hanging bridges

Zip lining

Outdoor markets

Volcano hiking/climbing

Snorkeling

Beaches

National Parks

Whitewater rafting

Coffee plantations

Visit islands

Kayaking

Surf lessons

Horseback riding on beaches

Lots more...

TRANSPORTATION

You can book your bus ride the day of (or the day before if you are anxious).

But, I just got to a bus station and booked on the spot for the next place.

Buses are the main means of transport for travelers there. Buses are very cheap

and cost anywhere between 50 cents to $5, depending on how far and what kind of

big it is.

The TICA bus company is popular and good to use.

Night buses are a nice way to save on a nights accommodation pay and to get to a

new city by early morning. They're safe as long as you're smart about your

belongings. Put a small lock on your bag of suitcase when putting your bag

beneath the buses, especially at night. Keep your important stuff on and with

you at all times while on the buses. Don't let anyone see anything of value of

yours.

You can take taxis for super cheap (always bargain with the prices. Start very

low) to and from the bus terminals.

The bus terminals in general are common areas for theft. Always keep your stuff

close by.

Chicken buses are a great cultural experience to try at least once. They aren't

always the safest but you should be ok. They are chaotic, crazy, crowded, and

very colorful lol. But they are extremely cheap, like 20 cents, and are a fun

and adventurous experience.

BOOKING ACCOMMODATIONS

You can book ahead using websites like hostelworld.com, hostelbookers.com,

hostels.com, booking.com. Hostelworld and booking.com are my favorites.

I recommend looking up some places in a travel guide or online, writing their

name and address down, then getting to the city and walking around to compare

prices bad fund a place you like. You'll always find a place so never worry

about that.

I only recommend booking a place to stay ahead of time if you are arriving

somewhere at night.

Always write down the address (and my directions if provided) of where you're

trying to go because it's possible that the taxi will night know what place

you're talking about or where it is.

In Central America I mainly stayed in private rooms at guesthouses, hostels, and

budget hotels.

SAFETY

It's very important to always be aware of your surroundings, people getting too

close, people behind you, just to make sure in one is thinking of stealing

anything somehow from you.

Always keep your stuff locked if and when possible

Keep a smaller backpack or bag with you to carry on your front side that holds

all values  (passport, money, credit cards, jewelry, exiting flight itinerary,

phone, electronics,camera, etc). Carry thing with you always, when you leave

your hotel, go hiking, on buses, walking around, everywhere. If someone wants to

steal anything somehow, it's fine, as long as it's not something of value like

your passport.

When using ATMs, always be aware of your surroundings, watch behind you, cover

your PIN number when entering it, pull your card out as soon as you can because

the machines are known to eat them if left in too long.

It's not the best idea to walk around at night or late at night. Anything can

happen.

Be careful when/if you go out to party and/or drink. Always keep an eye on your

stuff and on your drinks,naps well as when you walk back to your hotel.

When going on hikes of any sort, try to go with a tour or group so that there

are more of you.

Always drink bottle water and yes it yo brush your teeth, wash cuts or blisters

with, and wash your face with.

As much as you love dogs, do not touch, pet, or get too close to any animals

there. I know a few people who have gotten bit by dogs, monkeys and bats and

ended yo go get a rabies vaccine exile traveling.

Keep your souvenirs locked up or with you when you travel. Airports go through

your belongings. I recommend waiting to buy gifts and stuff until the end of

your trip. Then carry them on board for  your flight.

Write on a post it "in case of emergency contact"... Put all your info and

parents info on it. I keep mine in my money pouch.

If you want (I should but never do but a man told me about this), you can go on

the u.s embassy website to register for free with your info letting the u.s know

what country you’re in. This is in case anything were to happen or even if

your passport is lost or stolen.

LANGUAGE

everyone speaks English, some can understand some English.

If you are afraid of having a hard time communicating something you can bring a

small dictionary.

Also, write the names of where you're trying to go, cities, hostels, any

attractions, streets names, etc on a piece of paper to show to someone to read

instead of them not knowing what you're saying.

CURRENCY

They take U.S dollars everywhere in Central America but, they'll give you the

change after a purchase in local currency.

I recommend taking around $200 U.S in cash with you before you leave.

You don't have to exchange currency anywhere.

But when you pay with U.S dollars, say at a store for instance, you will get your change in local currency, Colones.

Always count your change!

I recommend bringing just one debit card (and one credit card if you want one).

Don't bring more than you need.

SHOULD INCLUDE IN PACKING

A sweater or light jacket. The cities more inland can get cooler at night, as

well as on hikes in higher elevations.

A small flashlight. Power outages may happen at night in some cities for a short

time.

A small scissors

Sunscreen

Hand sanitizer

Small hand soap for places that don't provide it and for bathroom stops while on

buses.

A roll of toilet paper or tissue because sometimes it's not provided, especially

while on buses.

Good walking shoes

I have a money pouch that I got from walmarts travel section. I've had it ever

since my first backpacking trip to Europe. I use it as my wallet. I keep my

passport, passport photocopies, money, credit/debit cards, ATM receipts, any

payment receipts, boarding passes, itinerary, etc. in it.

A small, light towel. When you get there, I highly recommend buying a sarong for

cheap. They're amazing to have because not only are there lots of cute ones to

choose from but they are great to use as a towel, for beaches, and as blankets.

They dry super quick so you can hand wash it often and hang it to dry. Then give

your towel away because it takes up too much space in your luggage, it takes

long to dry, it can get heavy when wet, and it's hard to get sand and salt from

the water off of. I have 2 sarongs and I use them for everything.

Small bottle of Imodium in case you get an upset stomach from any food bacteria.

Echinacea  tablets or cold meds in case you get sick. (I tend to get colds often

when I travel)

Bring a small notepad and extra pens. Use this to write everything in and keep

it with you always. Write details on your accommodations, flights info, bus

info, etc. include opine numbers when provided so that someone can call a hostel

or bus off you if need be. This happens to me all the time. I write everything

in my notepad.

Don't worry about an electric currency converter, they yes american outlets.

It's helpful to have a cordless battery pack charger for your electronics in

case your battery dies while on long buses or hikes (mostly for emergency

purposes)

Mosquito repellent spray. You don't really need to take any malaria pills, they

aren't good for you, just always have on bug spray.

Get a spray or oil that is eucalyptus to out on yourself or to spray on your

beds and in your luggage. Most bugs, especially Mosquitoes and bed bugs hate the

smell of eucalyptus. 

Bring a pad lock because some hostels provide lockers but usually don't have a

lock.

An efficient small first aid kit with band aids and antiseptic gel.

Pack less. Once you test pack, then edit what you have. You'll regret bringing

too much. You'll also want room for stuff that you buy.  You'll realize how

little you actually use and wear.

Pack stuff that you don't mind getting dirty, lost, stolen, forgotten, ruined,

etc. bring stuff that you ding mind getting rid of along the way or at the end

of your trip. You'll appreciate the lightness of your luggage and the space to

by stuff. I constantly give things away.

Bring a book or two to read but not too many. Most hostels have book exchange

shelves to put yours bad take a new one for free.

I recommend bringing a printed map of just the cities in those countries from online.

Just a simple one, nothing too detailed or big. When I'm ready to go somewhere

next, I look at the map and choose a place.

Make sure you have luggage tags with contact info on your baggage.

OTHER TIPS

Go to a travel physician at your usual clinic and ask to get updates and info on

what vaccines you have and need.  They will be prepared with

and provide you with info and papers on what vaccines are recommended and

required to go there. The basics are: hep A and B, measles, all those we needed

for school so you should be fine. I highly recommend getting updated on your

rabies shot if you're not already. (Strays dogs, other animals, any dirty rusty

nails and stuff can be a problem there)

The doctor will ask if you want malara pills but it's your choice. If you do

want them, malarone is the safest.

The doctor will offer you cipro (shortened name) to bring incase you get sick

from the water or any food. I always have it but never needed it. Yet.

Make a few photocopies of your passport to have with you. You may need one for

some reason. Also, keep them separate from your actual passport so that if

anything happens to it, you'll have a copy to take to the u.s embassy.

Email (or print) a scanned copied of your passport to yourself and to your mom.

Make sure your mom has a copy of your itinerary, passport, credit card photocopy

of both sides, and debit card photocopy. Just incase.

Always check your bed for bed bugs as soon as you arrive in a hotel/hostel. To

check for them, lift each end of the bed and look underneath, look around the

frame and headboard. They're the size of a small roach.

Keep your luggage locked, stored away, and especially closed whenever you leave

your room and at night. This prevents bugs from crawling in and any theft. Never

leave valuables in your room when you're away. I know lots of people who have

gotten things stolen and there's no way for you to prove that you ever had that

item.

Always ask for and keep a receipt for your accommodation payment.

Always keep your bus ticket until you arrive.

Be very stern with taxi drivers when you ask them to take you to a specific

place. They get commission from certain places so they'll lie and say your place

is booked if closed.

Try not to book accommodations or buses far ahead because plans change

sometimes. You may really like a place if want to do more somewhere and change

your mind last minute to stay longer. It happens to me a lot.

Always bargain when shopping.

As you travel, meet and talk with others about their favorite places to stay,

things that they did, where to eat, etc. most people will be on a similar route

as you or came from that direction. Other travelers are my main source of travel

recommendations. I rarely do any research on anything or anywhere.

Always buy snacks and food for long bus rides, especially night buses. You'll

stop places but sometimes the places have crap food or are pretty run down and

dirty.

When traveling on long bus rides, try to use the bathroom before you go and

drink less fluids because the toilets when you make stops are pretty gross.

Never pull all of your cash out at once where others can see it.

Most hostels and guesthouses have kitchens for you to use. You can go yo the

supermarket to buy food for cheap to cook. Remember to wash your fruits and veg

in boiling or lurked water.

*There is no entrance airport fee in Costa Rica

*You may have to pay an departure exit fee at the airport of $28 (what it use to be) in Costa Rica.

*There may be exit fees at the airport from Panama as well. Entrance fee should be included in your plane ticket.

HOW TO TRAVEL ON A BUDGET

Local buses

Hostels

Night buses

Local food

Try walking to places as much as possible instead of paying for transport for

short distance. You'll see much more that way as well.

Bargain always, for everything. Unless it's a fixed price in a store. You can

even bargain on tours and sometimes accommodation prices.

Book bus tickets at the bus stations, not from travel companies, they'll

overcharge.

Since you'll be traveling with someone, you'll save money on accommodations

already because most places charge per room, therefore you two can split it.

Sometimes I'd have to pay double (it's still cheap though).