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Hostels

Hostels

Date: Nov 14 2008

Themes: Friend, Travel

Grammar: Adverbs

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

So many great traveling stories begin with phrases like, “There was this friendly British girl staying at our hostel and she told us to check out this amazing attraction that tourists don’t normally see…” or, “These Chilean guys from our hostel offered to have a couple of beers with us and next thing you know, we were on a boat in the middle of the Black Sea!”

A big part of adventure of traveling is the other travelers you meet. And when you’re young and don’t have a lot of money to spend, staying in a hostel can be a great way to save and meet exciting people.

Hostels rent travelers beds in big rooms full of other travelers. Some hostels also have single rooms to rent out, but all the guests eat together. Of course, since there are so many people around, not all hostel stories are good and people can be annoying or things can get stolen. Listen to Marni and Mason talk about what they like and don’t like about hostels.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  So I just got back from a trip to New York and did a little bit of couch surfing when I was there, stayed with friends.

Mason:  Really? Well, I mean, I guess that’s cool when that’s an option, but, uh…

Marni:  But…So my other option, I lucked out at the last minute, my friends were there, but I was thinking about staying in a hostel because there’s actually a few in New York.

Mason:  A New York hostel might kind of sketch me out. But, you know, I’ve done it a lot and it’s pretty awesome. When you’ve got to mind your budget, it’s a good way to go.

Marni:  It’s definitely got this sort of backpacker thing going on.

Mason:  It takes you back to your youth with the bunk beds.

Marni:  Well, the bunk beds and just. But I try to…I’m kind of big into personal space, so I always try to get my own room.

Mason:  Actually, that’s my favorite time to do it. You get two or three friends and if you can book ahead and get a private room it costs you each like 20 bucks a night, maybe.

Marni:  Yeah.

Mason:  It’s awesome. And you meet cool people there, right?

Marni:  It’s true. And it’s good for that whole communal aspect of traveling, wanting to get information and just swapping stories. And there is something to that, but I don’t know, I like my privacy and I’m not really into the whole communal sleeping arrangement.

Mason:  I’d totally do it. I probably going for New Year’s up to BC, gonna hook up the hostel.

Marni:  Well, it definitely is the…If you’re frugal, it’s the economical way to travel.

 

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Discussion

On a recent trip to New York, Marni arranged last-minute to stay with some friends. But she almost stayed at a hostel.

Mason isn’t sure if he’d be comfortable in a hostel in New York, although he does like hostels in general because he likes meeting people there. He also says the bunk beds remind him of being a kid.

Marni always tries to get her own room at hostels because she doesn’t like sleeping with strangers in the room. Mason and his friends will sometimes occupy a three- or four-person room together. He plans to stay in a hostel on an upcoming trip to British Columbia, Canada.

Have you ever stayed in a hostel? Did you meet interesting people there?

 

Comments

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CyrilCui

CyrilCui

China

I have stayed in hostels before.


Last June I went to Beijing for travelling with my roommate.In that hot night we were in the Gulou street and wanted to find a hostel which is cheap for us students.1 hour ago we found one and booked a room.There are 3 bunk beds and 2 big tables.Although this room was very crowded,air conditioning and bathroom were very good.2 people had stayed there and they were students too.We talked a lot about travelling in Beijing.They were very kind guys and we didn’t feel unsafe.


I think it is a cool experence for me to sleep with strangers in hostel.

06:08 PM Apr 19 2013 |

ioannaba

Greece

i like travelling very much but i have never stayed at hostel.


i dont like it!!i like to have my own room with ensuite bath in a hotel!!i am not so young to sleep with others.i feel uncomfortable and unsafe!!

04:03 PM Apr 19 2013 |

rhainekim

rhainekim

Philippines

I really love traveling and this whole hostel thing is really the best thing to do it. You’ll be able to meet a lot of new friends and make a lot of fine experiences and memories with them, then you’ll be starting a good foundation of friendship. Then you can go together in the next trip that you’re going to have.


02:49 PM Feb 28 2013 |

fabsir

fabsir

Brazil

I´m having my first hostel experience this year. Before I decided what hostel I´d like to stay at I did a lot of researching on the internet. I went to websites with plenty of travellers´reviews, I checked photographs, locations and amenities. There are always trade-offs you have to make but most reviews and hostels have mentioned meeting lots of other interesting people is a sure thing. I hope I´ll enjoy it.

01:00 PM Feb 20 2012 |

m63_jalali

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i wish that i can expriace it . i realy like this place

05:31 AM May 22 2010 |

Stunner

Bahrain

I haven't did it before,but it sounds good cuz I like to meet new people and it's a good way

deposite that, I think hotels are more safe than hostels cuz you dunno what kind of people you'll stay with

08:35 AM May 15 2010 |

ajiyar

Morocco

thank you so much for the lesson,it's so interesting. 

04:10 PM Apr 02 2010 |

Lindaguo

Lindaguo

China

By the way , I worked in a four-star hotel and i always think hotel is more safe and comfortable for travellers.

02:48 PM Nov 08 2009 |

Lindaguo

Lindaguo

China

I have never live in a hostel,although there are a few hostels in China.

02:47 PM Nov 08 2009 |

free.soul

Morocco

I spent two weeks in a wonderful hostel in Errachidia suburbs..and i tried some traditional food and enjoyed listening to Baldi saharian music. It’s a worth seeing place especially in Xmas.

10:34 PM Nov 20 2008 |

UOT

Canada

Traveling is good things. However, wasting pocket  in traveling is not good for me.  Although I worried about pocket, I like the privacy space in traveling. As you know making friends who can providing anything in their place for you.Laughing

05:16 AM Nov 20 2008 |

basantarya

basantarya

India

I have not stay in hostels till now in my life n after reading this lesson i will try to go in the hostels.

11:16 AM Nov 19 2008 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

I think hostel that be cool,to know different people and interacting…but If I have money avaliable for,I prefer to stay in a hotel or in a guest house :D

11:11 AM Nov 19 2008 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

I have not traveled for staying in a hostel,but I have curiously…I always traveled and I stayed in guesthouses or hotels…One day I will try ;)

11:06 AM Nov 19 2008 |

Clauss

Clauss

Ukraine

Hostels're not bad in high developed countries such as the USA and Canada, but if you're going to stay at hostel in the third world's country you must think twice.

06:43 PM Nov 17 2008 |

kadhim

Iraq

travel is intersting…

12:55 PM Nov 17 2008 |

users121

Ukraine

Hostel it's a good idea when you didn't have a lot of many, but if you have money and you need more comfortable conditions only hotels

10:37 AM Nov 17 2008 |

zekezhou

China

when I go to travel,I like to live hotels.it’s cleanlily.

12:43 AM Nov 17 2008 |

abdeeq

abdeeq

Somalia

wonderful lesson

03:45 PM Nov 16 2008 |

lksharma2

India

i like to stay with friends not alone.

02:31 PM Nov 16 2008 |

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