Naturally, people are quick to call things weird or dumb when they don’t understand or try to understand how it works. But I believe in always being open-minded – that’s the best way to see the world. Living here in San Jose, Ca I don’t actually have any friends within my circle or area that travel the way I do. I definitely do not travel luxuriously. I stay away from tourist areas, never stay at hotels, and I don’t go shopping or bring home much. I’m a 22-year-old girl funding and budgeting my own travels so it boils down to I just don’t have the privilege to travel like “normal” people would but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’ve gotten to meet some of the craziest, nicest, strangest people via hitchhiking, soon to be couchsurfing and staying at hostels.
Hostels
1. If you’re going somewhere short-term, try to have an idea of what kind of things you’d like to accomplish (hiking, museums, nightlife, etc.) and for me, close by to public transportation. Especially as a solo traveler with no car, location is key. But the price also factors in a lot and I do gravitate to always picking the cheapest one I can find.
Hostels are definitely fit more for low maintenance travelers. I never mind where I stay as long as I have a place to rest my head. So if you don’t mind sharing space and living communally then hostels are perfect.
2. If you have time or decided to plan ahead, read reviews. Hostels have different kinds of environments and you’ll be able to get a sense of the place based on those who have stayed there before. For example, there were many hostels in San Diego. Mine was more laid back since it consists of students but another that was located on Pacific Beach was a party hostel. So read reviews and pick whichever feels best suits you.
3. It is encouraged you book directly on the hostel’s site so that you are fully supporting them but I admit to not doing this every time. I do use third party sites because it is easier to navigate and to compare with other hostels. Do check the main website anyway to see if they have any upcoming events or if you’re last minute booking, it might be easier to just call the place to check.
My first time I stayed at a hostel traveling alone was at the Yosemite Bug on my 18th birthday and it was just a solid experience that really opened my eyes to self-realizing I didn’t need much. My first time fostered my love for traveling low maintenance and helped me focus more on enjoying my time rather than depend on superficiality. Hostels have allowed me to hear stories from so many different parts of the world, learning of our cultural differences and meeting like-minded others who are so accepting and kind.
Hitchhiking
I have yet to accomplish a long hitchhiking trip but it is a dream of mine to do someday. Being an introvert, I was tentative to start hitchhiking. My thoughts would go to what if I don’t get along with the driver? I’ll be stuck in an awkward situation. I came to conclusion that it would be okay as well when that happens but from my experience so far, that isn’t the case.
Most people who do decide to stop for you generally have gone through it before or is very open-minded to helping out strangers on the side of the road. With the handful of drivers that have helped me out are those that see the best in people. Hawaii especially was an easy place for me to hitchhike because the culture there is all about community and helping each other out.
1. It’s safe to say as a hitchhiker, be decent and appreciative.
2. Do follow your instincts. Upon meeting the driver, you can refuse if it doesn’t feel safe. There was a time where I felt uneasy and so I declined and said where I wanted to be wasn’t in the same direction.
3. They’re not Uber drivers. Be mindful that they’re doing a favor out of goodness and if it is in the general way of where you want to go, great!
4. Drivers have told me they love doing what they do because it’s just a great way of connecting to someone. If you could help out with gas during a long drive, that would be nice. But if you don’t have the means to, sharing stories and being a friend goes a long way.
Doing this have been really eye-opening to me and I would say have made me a braver and more trusting being. Don’t judge until you’ve tried it. The array of people I’ve met ranged from business men to farmers to free spirit grandmas and it’s been a great learning experience for me altogether.
Couchsurfing
I’m excited to start couchsurfing. Couchsurfing is exactly what you think it is – sleeping in whatever space (couch, backyard, floor, extra room, etc.) someone agrees to let you stay at. It’s a great help to me being a low budget traveler that loves meeting people. I’ve recently joined the community and my first trip will be next week actually! I will be driving up the coast to explore Oregon. I have no definite plans on how long I’ll stay but it’ll be my longest road trip alone so that’s very exciting.
1. Build a good profile so that hosts can have an idea on who will be staying with them. Spend time on it and show off your amazing personality and what you have to offer.
2. Being new, I don’t have references but references are good to have. They are reviews on you and that will help hosts and surfers understand better if you’ll be a good fit. You can meet up with other surfers in the area who can write you a reference or also be a host yourself.
3. When messaging hosts on their place, definitely read their full profile. Don’t copy/paste an introduction and spam a mass of hosts. They will be able to tell. A lot of them will even have secret messages within their profile that you’ll have to mention in the message or they won’t reply.
4. If you are not a “verified” member on the couchsurfing app, there is a limited amount of hosts you can message. Being a verified member costs $50 and gives you unlimited messaging. Unfortunately, I do not want to sign up for it and the majority of regular surfers don’t. You’ll have 10 chances to reach out to hosts per week.
5. Take advantage of your messages. Find hosts that are more active recently, have a higher reply rate, and references.
I can’t wait to have my first surfing experience next week and will definitely report back on it. It was a struggle actually finding a host to accept me in Portland. I was declined quite a few times but was lucky enough to be accepted during such high traffic time in Oregon. There will be a definitive mass immigration of people coming up to Oregon to see the total solar eclipse next week.
As a solo female traveler, I am so grateful to have these communities that take me in so kindly and are quick to make me feel welcomed. I highly encourage traveling in a way that lets you connect to locals and depend on the simplicity of the nature of traveling. All I need is my two feet because the world is so giving once you open yourself up. Let me sum it up with a great quote from Harry Potter.
Help will always be given to those who ask for it.
