Comments on The History and Evolution of The International Youth Hostel – 100 Years and Counting

By: Jason

2011-06-03T04:14:00Z

Hey Steve, I had a great old laugh when I saw the comment come to me via email, with ‘Richard Schirrman’s’ name at the top. I appreciate your input and glad you liked the post.

The Youth Hosteling movement as I explained in my post has been a massive influence in independent travel the world over, and I don’t believe people knew just how important and how large Hosteling International has become.

Your time at Bath would no doubt be like so many others the world over. In my view, the community and social atmosphere of Hostels is their 2nd biggest draw card after the cost. Although, as I have explained to others via comments. I don’t use Hostels as I have gotten older and have a little more disposable income, but certainly haven’t forgotten my roots and the many years of using during my early travel years. Once again thanks for stopping by.

By: International Youth Hostelling

2011-06-03T02:59:30Z

[...] The History and Evolution of The International Youth Hostel The history of International Youth Hostel movement began in Germany back in 1909, and has continued to evolve and gain in popularity. [...]

By: Richard Schirrman

2011-06-02T10:04:00Z

Hi Jason,

I would like to add this is not a post by Richard who has come back from the grave, but is in fact from Steve who works for Hostelling International using our Facebook page login :)

I think this is a great post you have written Jason for people to learn how HI and Youth Hostelling has evolved over 100 years. I agree people would just think you were mad if you asked them to do chores in a hostel now and yet it was so normal not that long ago. I worked in Bath YHA more than 20 years ago and my duties included cooking, cleaning, reception, gardening, painting, washing and everything else, all for a room and a wage that barely paid for a few beers. I have never had so much fun though and I think the fun and community spirit you can have in a hostel is the one thing that hasn’t changed over time.

By: Jason

2011-06-02T09:15:00Z

Hey Steve, I’m also a person who used to stay in hostels quite often when I was single and younger. The atmosphere made allot of sense back then, but nothing stays the same for ever and as I’ve grown older I do enjoy a little more peace an quiet of a guest house or hotel. Thanks for stopping by mate.

By: Steve

2011-05-31T17:45:00Z

That’s really interesting. I had no idea that you had to do chores as part of the condition for staying there. I enjoy staying at hostels as much as most other travelers, but I have to admit that I don’t use them as much as I used to. Now that I have a little bit more money, I throw in a nicer place here and there instead of doing nothing but hostels like when I was younger. In fact, when I was in Costa Rica, I had to stay at a budget hotel one night because a hostel I stayed at the previous two nights was full of mold. I didn’t know I was allergic to mold until that point.

By: Jason

2011-05-31T10:14:00Z

Hey Leigh, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head and that Hostels are a great social interactions and certainly lend them selves to the younger traveler. I for one had no issue with the chores, but it was a bit of a shock when they requested I do it. I hadn’t spoken to anyone about the chore system, so I had no idea. I could live on the beans and eggs, but you can keep the fried bread and bacon. Thanks for stopping by, appreciated as always.

By: Anonymous

2011-05-30T14:48:00Z

I spent a month in youth hostels in England & Wales when I was 15. I was biking with a group of about 25 youth – aged 15-21. It was a very social time & I remember loving the atmosphere; I didn’t actually mind the chores because they rarely took more than 15 minutes but hated the food. Beans, fried egg, fried bread and gross bacon every morning got old in a hurry.

By: Jason

2011-05-30T09:19:00Z

Hey Earl, So I wasn’t the only one to get loaded up with some tough work before breakfast. From my research into this post, it seems that the American hostels are the ones that kept there roots in the more traditional form, and the European and Australasian variations are the ones that drifted away from the more regimented daily running.

I completely agree with having your own space. The hostels definitely have a place in the world and although some do come with the possibility of private rooms, the budget hotel or guest house is a more sensible option for those wanting some peace and quiet.

By: Jason

2011-05-30T09:13:00Z

Hey Ciki, Yes the bell for wake-up call was quite extreme, and wasn’t the norm for other hostels that’s for sure. I think the person running the hostel must have been an ex prison warden or something.

By: Jason

2011-05-30T09:10:00Z

Hey Dave, I’m hearing you in relation to the party hostels, and as you rightly point out it all depends on the reason why one is there. I’m well aware of the goings on in these places, as I did do a short stint working at the independent Banana Bungalow in west Hollywood back in 1992. A far cry from many of the traditional ‘Hosteling International’ abodes, that’s for sure.