While in over 40 years, this was the first time either of us had ever even seen a hostel, we couldn’t have picked a better spot for people contact. Dublin International was staffed by a friendly, vibrant group of people who couldn’t have been more fun.

As our first evening begins, a small group starts to gather in the “Chapel” room with us. The first energetic guy we meet is named Garrett. He is from Texas and unfortunately will be leaving Dublin within the next few days. He offers to take up a money collection and go buy a few bottles of whiskey and rum so we can all continue our fun evening.

Tanya, Garrett, Paco, Luis , Jose, DeDac, Sergio, Aude Marie, and Cassidy – almost every person is from a different country and there are very few shared languages except for a few common words. Somehow we start to have a very enjoyable evening of card playing and songs with this eclectic bunch of people.

It starts when Garrett asks Cheryl if she knows how to play Texas Hold ‘em. She says “Yes, of course” and now he wants the two of them to teach the rest of this group how to play. Now, Cheryl speaking no language other than English, and Garrett speaking a smattering of Spanish and most of the others in the group knowing just a little bit of some other language in addition to their own—teaching a group like this the rules and strategies of Texas Hold ‘em was going to be interesting at best. Well, we had a few bottles of liquor, a deck of cards, and a large number of beer bottle caps found somewhere to use as our chips. Within an hour we were all somehow engaged in a nice, yet internationally competitive game of poker.

After the game settled down (I think Sergio from Spain finally won), someone brought out a guitar. A few of the group seem to have experience playing and the guitar is passed around while they tune it and practice some songs. Eventually we are all singing along. Now, what would you expect a group like this to sing? The most popular music came from the Beatles. We sang “Twist and Shout”, “Yesterday”, “Yellow Submarine”, and “La Bamba”. The instruments that we played, along with the guitar, included 2 spoons, several bottles, and a chair. Needless to say it was a fun night. We could not believe this was what hostel life could or would be! Dublin was indeed a special place.

Next…A Haunted Hostel!

From Cheryl: We had room 305, beds 3 and 4. I took bed 3, the bottom bunk , and Lisa took bed 4 – the top bunk. Looking back no one is sure why we would EVER let Lisa have the top bunk. She is quite a bit smaller than I am, and let’s just say she is not the world’s most graceful person! I was always a bit fearful that she might stumble as she got in or out of bed. As the trip progressed, she took many a top bunk and did a fabulous job of NOT getting hurt.

Okay, it was time to rest – our bodies think it is 4:25 am EST after an all night flight with no sleep. We ended up sleeping – quite nicely I might add – for about four hours. The room was pretty clean, but well worn.

The hostel looks like it might have been converted from an old church. The phone booths are old confessionals, and the dining area/restaurant appears to be the main area where sermons were once performed. There is a kind of musty or old smell about the place but the staff is great and I slept wonderfully! After about twenty minutes we were able to locate laundry facilities, the communal kitchen, library/sitting area, and the desk for help with tours. We were settled in!

By 6:30 pm I made my way into the restaurant area which is only open for breakfast. The restaurant is a nice place to read, relax and observe the few folks that are in here. Many are doing the same as I am, just meditating and chilling out in the beautiful room. This room might very well have been a place where sermons took place, or even perhaps where prayers were taken. It has beautiful stained glass images you would see in a church.

One of the girls is giving haircuts to all the other travelers. I saw a sign up that she charges €10 per cut and she wasn’t hurting for business! I saw her take on a new customer, a nice looking young man from Spain. I later learned his name was Luis. The concern I saw was that she did not speak Spanish and he did not speak English! So, here he is trying to explain how he wants his hair cut. He is getting opinions from all the others around him, including us, on how he should get it cut. My guess is he was also hoping for a bilingual translator!

What an interesting way to live for a period of time. Backpack, live in hostels, haircuts in a dining area by the traveling staff where you are unsure of the outcome. I really enjoy watching them all. Right now, I am new to this lifestyle, but if it all goes well, these will be my people soon enough.