I`m not sure whether it`s the shared bathrooms, cold showers, general lack of toilet paper, living and eating in the workplace or what, but I`ve finally come to the conclusion that living in a hostel is not much fun. It`s ok for a few days… a few months is a different story. It wasn`t too bad when I had my own private room, however, that lasted for only about 1 week until the tourist season picked up. Now it`s the norm to have 5 other people (who in a few select cases have all been snoring at once) in my room each night.
Originally I was able to have two beds, one for my stuff (which was spread out all over the bed in a semi “organized” way) and one for myself. I knew things were going downhill when I came home one night at 2:30am from work only to find a sleeping body in place of all of my belongings. All of my things had been moved to the bed where I was sleeping. Too tired to care, I basically pushed everything to one side and jumped into bed. This is the state it`s remained in for about a week and a half. I am now profoundly unorganized and pretty much ready to not live in a hostel.
The clincher came about 2 days ago when I was looking for my flipflops. I use them in the shower (because millions of other people use it each day). I was quickly able to find one and easily found another slightly similar one that somebody had left behind. I continued to look for my other flipflop while knowing deep down what had really happened… needless to say, I`m now going punky brooster style and wearing two different flipflops now.
This has lead me with no other decision but to move into an apartment. I can`t really beat free room and board, but my psychological well-being has recently become a priority.
Fortunately, I didn`t even have to look around for a place. My friend Melissa told me about a house which is generally reserved for volunteers and has an opening in mid August. The rent is cheap and even includes internet and computers to use for free (this is a huge plus). I`ve already gone through the process of signing up to live in this place and will be moving in Aug 13th. Being completely unable to wait until then to move, I`ve decided to sublet my other friend`s apartment while she is away. I`ll be moving in there Aug 1st…
Here’s hoping that the not-so-horrific hostel living story you’ve just told isn’t trumped by a more ridiculous violation of your privacy and or sanity before August 1st…which not even a week away now!
Buena suerte with this move…. BTW, I recently heard about a couple who just moved to San Pedro Panorama, 1.5 miles south of el parque central: 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, $360 a month including electric. Outrageous.
BTW again: have you heard anything about private mailing of stuff from the states, i.e., not el correo?
yes, there is private mailing of stuff if you are interested i can get you info, last one i used was Tikal Express… works both ways… once i was so inclined as to order Pollo Campero fresh from Guatemala to my door in 6 hours. AMAZINGLY worth it, but also cost more than my months rent.
punky brewster is one of my all time heroes.
yeah for privacy.
in the words of punky…….. ” i have two different feet why shouldn’t i have two different shoes?”
yes youtube has cured my sudden nostalgia.