I started traveling solo in 2016. But in my entire first solo trip to Meghalaya, I didn’t explore staying at a traveler hostel — also because it wasn’t so much of a thing in the state back then.
And then, in 2017, I opted to travel to Himachal Pradesh, widely popular for its cafe and hostel culture. I was skeptical but as a freelance writer, I traveled on shoestring budgets. And if not a traveler hostel, what else could be a better budget fit, right?
During my entire first time at a hostel in Dharamkot, I was nervous and anxious. I wasn’t confident — I didn’t know if I had interesting life stories to share or had enough knowledge on any subject at all. Add to it the fact that I’m an introvert. Starting conversations isn’t my thing. And too much talking sometimes drains me out. For the most part, I navigated the stay immersing myself in books, chilling alone in the in-house cafe and saying quick hi-hellos to others. The only time I really mingled with people was when we sat around the bonfire at night. That’s something I couldn’t avoid because it was extremely cold and I needed the fire to stay warm.
From Dharamkot, I went to Manali. I think here’s where I finally opened up to staying in hostels. Thanks to C6 Manali and Sanjay. Sanjay was easy to talk to and made me feel welcome and comfortable. There was no air to him which made it easier to talk. And then I also had space and time to myself.
From there, there’s been no looking back. Whenever I’m traveling alone, hostels are my go-to. Of course, I feel more confident about both — having conversations and also spending my alone time even if I’m amidst people.
In fact, I spent two whole years in B’lore, of which the first 1.5 years were spent at traveler hostels. There is something about staying in hostels and meeting people who take unconventional routes in life. Some silently navigating successes that are very personal to them. Some consciously choosing freedom over stability. Some having seen rock bottom in life and building life back up. There is real-life beating through the vein and soul of every travelers’ hostel. For me, when I stand on the edge of diving right back into the rat race of life, traveler hostels are my wake-up call, my eye-opener, and my way of being pulled back to what I care most about in life.
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