It's been a little more than a week. And so far, this has been the second best living decision I have made in the last 4 years, and you all know I've made quite a few. First? Definitely deciding to move to Seattle instead of Denver. Denizens of Denver can hate all you like, but until you've lived both places, you just don't know how awesome it is in Seattle.
But you're not here because of Seattle, you're here because of Buenos Aires. And this little blurb is about how I feel that the only way to travel and to live in a foreign country is by staying in hostels. Hotels are nice, comfortable places to sleep that remind you a little bit of the comforts of home. They have all the amenities and services you need as someone who is away from home. And I don't know about you, but if I wanted to stay in a place that offered a reminder of home while I was away from home, I'd go ... home.
You're in a foreign country for pete's sake, be in the foreign country. If, while you travel, you long to be home; you're just not cut out for international travel. But that's ok, to each their own. The easiest way to avoid that longing is to take up residence, long or short-term, in a hostel. Believe me, if you find the right one (and it's not hard to do), you'll walk into a warm and inviting group of travelers eager to share stories, meals and beers and get to know you. Hostels aren't just for 19-year-old gap-year backpackers. As an American, you just haven't been exposed to hosteling culture. A hostel is easily the most quickly formed and thoroughly bonded group of people, apart from disaster survivors. And everyone is immediately welcoming and open-armed.
Why? Because they're all in the same situation as you. Every single person there is away from home, away from their friends and family, away from their usual hangouts, and by extension, away from all of the existing prejudices and preconceived notions that would define their interactions at home. As soon as you let all of those things fall away and find yourself falling into a new place with new people, you will begin to absorb wherever it is you are and truly experience being in a foreign place.
It is incredibly easy to make friends in a hostel. All you have to do is say hello. Maybe in a second language, but all it takes is hello. Did I mention that everyone except Americans speaks at least two languages? And fluently. You're behind, get on that one. But even if you aren't fluent in anything other than English, communicating is easy. The language barrier is understandable and simple enough to get around; so humble yourself, learn to use expressive gestures and big facial expressions, and smile a lot.
The second step is to go out of your way to include yourself. Ask people if you can join them for dinner (I've never been refused) and offer to help cook or buy a round of drinks for everyone. The recipe for instant friends? Just add conversation. I went out to dinner tonight with 8 other people and I was the only native english speaker. There was a Paraguayan (who's brother is running for president of Paraguay), 3 Brazilian girls, a Colombian doctor/hockey player, 2 Argentines and a girl from France. And I've known all of them for less than 2 full days. But it was an immensely fun meal and we managed to stay engaged and entertained in English, Spanish, Portuguese (which I still can't understand) and French. All it takes is a few people who have a basic understanding of more than one language and not a single person will be lost in the conversation.
Besides, if you were in a hotel, would you have had the chance to have dinner with 8 strangers? And then go out for drinks after? Not bloody likely. Because I am staying in this hostel, I know have a circle of friends. And it took me less than 48 hours.
I could go on and on, but I wont. I'd bore you and I'm pretty much done writing. Stay in hostels. Make friends. Enjoy the local culture with others who are there to experience it as much as you.
(Work is good. The workday here runs 9:30-7:30, so i'll definitely make my 150 hours over the summer. The stuff I'm doing is engaging and difficult but not overwhelming. And I have plenty of time to get out and about and see the city. I move into an apartment on Saturday, and any and all visitors are welcome. Not expecting anyone, but if you knock on my door, I'll let you in.)
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