There are many pains I could have avoided if I weren’t a first-time traveler and hostel-user. Maybe my experience can shed light to future hostel users. First, I would never have brought this laptop for all its heaviness. Second, ditch most of the school books, save one maybe. Third, some hostels, if not most, have hair dryers and what-not so that you don’t have to haul cumbersome hair dryers. Fourth, do not, under any circumstances, over-pack. For one week, I’d say two pairs of pants and maybe four shirts recycled is more than enough. Don’t get clever with accessories. One pair of good walking shoes is plenty. It’s about being a tourist, not something out of a fashion magazine. Keep it simple. On the “to bring” column, I’d say that extra rechargeable batteries, as well as the charger is necessary. Don’t forget to bring the correct wall-socket adapter; it’s different in each country so the multiple socket changers is probably the best for the brave European/”other” travelers.
For one or two Euros per use, you can get a hair dryer at the hostel. For a one-time small fee, you can store the very expensive items such as laptops and cameras if you’re planning to go out or have various room-mates and don’t want to risk leaving behind valuables. They serve breakfast as part of the fee, which, all in all is pretty filling and plentiful. The hostel I’m staying at, Ashfield Hostel has two computers and it cost 2 Euros for 45 minutes (continuous) and 1 Euro for 15 minutes. They do not, however, supply toothbrushes – the one item I forgot to pack! Small purchase. I wish I would have gotten some more Euros though, but this is an example of “live and learn…” It happens that a couple of buildings down, there is a market that has an ATM machine, and hopefully, I’ll get some money out of it…
I got in late last night and was very exhausted. I’d never been to a hostel before. I wanted a single room because of my problems with sleeping. Insomnia is an expensive disorder to have… They obliged me, but I had to sleep in a bunk bed, which wasn’t bad at all. Once I got signed in and everything, they gave me a set of sheets and a pillow case, as well as two towels. So nix bringing towels as well. At Ashfield Hostel, there is a private bathroom for each room, which includes a lovely shower – sight for sore eyes, back, and feet! But do bring shower slippers if you’re the type who worries about germs and all. After I made my bed, I fell asleep very quickly. I am glad that I brought earplugs because, as I said, I’m a very light sleeper who pays a price if I don’t get my sleep. It got a little noisy around 2:00 a.m. – probably after people came back from a night’s partying.
When I got up this morning, I went downstairs and found breakfast, and more importantly, one of two forms of caffeine, of which, the coffee was not good, but the tea was. Still, I think later, I’ll try to find a coffee shop and get some real caffeine. I got on the internet, answered a few emails, and sent a few reassurances that I got here all right. I looked over the Dublin map and calculated what I might be interested in doing. Today, I’m mostly going to walk up and down different streets and mosey about lazily. I’m still a little tired from yesterday’s long odyssey. I think I can get to some of the more ancient sites within the city itself, and then I’ll plan to visit Ireland’s “highlands” and this week, I’ll also book a couple of tours. There is a hop-on-hop-off bus that I’ll probably take when I get my bearings. It seems fairly simple and the cost is about 15 Euros. Just hang on to the bus stub. I’ve also learned that there is a nice tram in the city, but I haven’t learned where I can get it.
One week later…
Now, the down side after almost a week… I didn’t know that there was an online site to book my stay here – if I would’ve known, I could have avoided paying so much. But I didn’t; there was no website for this place on the handout I received, so I booked the old fashioned way: by telephone. Further, I had to play musical rooms because of my shortsighted and forced planning. It’s stressful having to move luggage and belongings from the room to the storage area, then leave, and then come back to do the same thing over each day. Today will be the first day that I won’t have to do that, in that I have already paid for two days for a private room. Tomorrow will be my day, which is a kind of day I feel I really need – “down time” which introverts like me occasionally have to undertake. Too much hustle and bustle without a break or a time of introspection, contemplation, and writing, and I become overwhelmed by the constant input of information.
My lack of full internet access is frustrating because I can’t get onto my sites to post things or communicate with my friends, so I feel quite isolated in all of this. I don’t have a usable phone here, and that further increases my sense of disconnect. My wi-fi isn’t really set up to receive the signals properly, and I haven’t been able to find any internet cafes when I need them. But that’s not anyone’s problem but my own.
I do think that with the haphazard planning I undertook, in hindsight, I could have booked a cheap hotel or a bed and breakfast for about the same amount of money. It’s a matter of living and learning, I suppose. I do like the sense of community that hostels have – having breakfast has a new meaning for me, and I am starting to like the idea of it, as long as it’s a shared event. I do miss the full night’s sleep that has been quite elusive during the past week as a whole though. It’s fairly noisy here because it turns out that Ashfield is located next to a nightclub and there is a lot of traffic immediately outside. That is my problem though, because I am a chronic insomniac. This is the great frustration and challenge of my life: sleeping, and once asleep, staying that way.
I’ve really enjoyed talking to the staff here – especially Connor, the person who greeted me when I arrived, the young lady I shared my Oscar Wilde book with, and the gentleman who booked my tours. I’ve had many good conversations on a level I could appreciate, and learned a lot about the attitudes and ideas that people have here. This would not have been achieved at a tourist-attraction restaurant or pub that is too forced. That, however, is for another entry. People don’t need to aim to please – just being real is all that I ever ask for.
I would not take any of this back for this one element: the people at Ashfield. Everyone has been more than kind, and I have asked for a lot with my “private room” requests. They’ve worked to get me places, and explained time and again how to get somewhere. They are the concierges, receptionists, tourist bureau, keepers, and cashiers – all wrapped into two people “manning” the desk. I wish we had such a system in the United States! If we could come up with one, we could offer people various ways to get around at low prices, while keeping it clean and open. I’m not sure the U.S. is ready to share their space though… Prove me wrong, people!
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