Originally, I was a little leery of staying in a hostel. I need a lot of sleep; undisturbed sleep. Sleeping in a room with many other people has the potential of somebody snoring all night, various people coming and going all night long... But, I still booked it - wanted to experience how it really is, not just let y imagination go wild.
So far, it has been a great experience!
Sleeping is quite possible, not too much noise - although, last night somebody came home at 2am and made a lot of noise trying to find their bed, and this morning somebody had their alarm set for 5am, let it ring forever, put it on snooze twice and ring again and again for a long time... Strange, how some people are so self-absorbed, that they do not realize that this is an inappropriate behavior for a 27 bed dormitory!
The great thing about the hostel, though, is that there is a constant flow of young people. Mostly very open-minded - travelling on a budget widens your horizon, opens your mind, helps you grow spiritually.
On the first full day I already had two of my "special conversations".
I am adding this idea to the list of potential undertakings I could do when coming here!
Bodhi Hostel is basically one big room with triple bunk beds. There are outlets on three levels on the wall, so each bed has an outlet. Each bed, aside of a mattress with a tight mattress-cover is equipped with a fan and a night lamp, both attached to the rail on top, which holds the curtains. When in your bed, you pull the curtains close and are in your own little room. Perfect!
There are also several lockers, which can be used by guests - although, they have to provide their own locks. I guess, the hostel might have locks to borrow, but I didn't ask.
Then, there's a large kitchen. Large enough, that three parties can prepare lunch at the same time. It has a 6 burner gas stove, two huge refrigerators, a coffee thermos, an electric water kettle, a double-sink with counter space left and right for drying and also prepping. there is no dishwashing machine! And a sign is reminding people to wash their dishes since their mother doesn't work here...
In the backyard there's a large table with benches under a roof - which is important since the rainy season is 9 months, and it can rain at any time. (Even though it rained only twice in the four days I'm here already!)
the rest of the back yard is split into a simple field. that is used as parking lot. and a garden with lots of seating space - also under roofs. Outlets are available at each of the seating ares - makes it easy to use computer, or charge your phone...
The main building also has a few private rooms - for people who want more privacy than a mixed dormitory offers.
There are a few bicycles, which can be rented. a washing machine which can be used by guest as well, and a dryer (I guess for the sheets). What I am missing is a clothes line that's also under a roof.
The furnitings are all very rustic. Much is built from palettes, some of 2x4s and regular wood boards. The roofs are galvanized - typical for the region. The rain produces a drumming concert, that is very nice to listen to...
The whole property is enclosed by a 7 foot tall wire mesh fence, topped with 3 strands of barbwire. The gates are steel rosters, also typical for the region.
The eating area's roof does not reach all the way to the main-building everywhere, but leaves a little gap - enough to let light and air in for plants to grow along the side of the building. That makes the wall look very beautiful, rather than just simple concrete (which usually turns an unsightly black relatively soon).
There are plants everywhere, in pots of all kinds of original uses - real flowerpots, pain-buckets, water bottles,... What I am missig are plants that produce edibles, like herbs, peppers, tomatoes, carrots,... I guess, vegetables and fruits are so inexpensive and readily available at the market, which is just 100 meters up the street, that the additional work necessary to maintain crops is just not warranted...
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