Hostels

Today I decided to take indirect advice and I read my book today. A Year In Provence by Peter Mayle. I have to say that this is the second travel book that I have read about Provence and I adore them. I read about 50 pages and then decided to get moving on my day.

I researched Craig's List for a kitchen table and bookshelf and started to think about renting a place in France vis Craig's List. With nothing better to do, I began to search. Paris and Toulouse were the two that I focused on and I found some nice places for good prices, they would be great if I had a person to split it with.

Keeping all of my Craig's List ads up I reviewed my links to hostels in Paris and Toulouse. It is a shame I am not traveling with someone, because the places I could stay would be so much better than some of the hostels...Let's talk about hostels.

My understanding is that it is like a hotel, you pay money, stay in a room, the more people the less the cost. I do not mind dorm style living and I do not mind having to walk down the hall to shower or being in by a certain time, it sounded pretty good...until I saw one that said All Female Room. Oh yea, I guess it would be co-ed. I feel like guys are dirty and snore so I am not sure that my ear plugs could handle that. Girls like to talk and I think I could handle that but I only saw one place that had a girls only room (then again, I wasn't really looking). Playing devil's advocate, meeting some guys would be a really good idea. Having them to possibly meet up with later or walk around with could be a great relief if in an area that I am not too comfortable in.

I just don't know about the sleeping the in the same quarters as the guys. Oh yes, I forgot the most important thing that got me thinking about this!! One of the rooms was for four and said two or more beds...I am not an old timer or anything but having to sleep in a bed with a total stranger of a girl is a bit much for me...but a guy? I don't know that I could do this. I asked my trusty traveler friend for some advice on the situation and although he tried, nothing really triggered an "ah ha" moment (as we call it in eduction).

Investigations will perhaps help and just going there and seeing where I wind up would be great, but not in August...that is busy season and I feel finding a free hostel would be difficult and I cannot see walking from hostel to hostel dragging my luggage down the dirt road working (at least not yet).