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• Hotels/Hostels

For me, a big part of traveling and the whole experience it encompasses has to do with hostels. Especially for a 20-something traveler, hostels are a great chance to meet new, like-minded people, plus hostel employees are in "the know" when it comes to things around town or discounts. I have seen the good, bad and awful of hostel living and I pretty much love all of it. Example, my friend and I were in Hungry and we were sharing a room with 3 very stinky Scotsmen who enjoyed drinking, smoking and swearing, and also coming back at 3 in the morning drunk and trying to climb in bed with me. Not funny at the time but entirely laughable now. However, more times than not I have an amazing hostel room with complete strangers that I ended up seeing that city with, or getting a better room for the price of a cheaper one. I have also had hostel managers call museums and get me reservations or discounts on restaurants and tours. Hostels are the greatest invention. However, there are hundreds, and sometimes all in one city, so researching can get frustrating. I enjoy it but my friends all think I have the magic touch too. All I can say is read the reviews and find a hostel that fits for you and your purpose in the city. If you are in Barcelona and not of the younger crowd, find somewhere away from Las Rambles. However, if you are of the younger crowd and want a place that is within stumbling distance of the bars, that is all readily available. I love hostels and highly recommend them.

Hotels on the other hand are also great. I didn't see much of hotels because of my budget and the style of my travels, but if you like your privacy and enjoy a nap or two, hotels might be right up your alley. But keep in mind, hostels do have single/private rooms. Anyways, if you do decide on hotels, try to stay away from the center of towns or streets with touristy action, as that can bump the price way up. In most European cities it is so simple to get around, so finding a hotel a block or two away from all the action might be a good idea. When in Eastern Europe, hotels are cheap, cheap, cheap so don't be afraid to book that 5-star hotel. It isn't a ploy or trick.

Whatever you choose, follow two simple rules: mingle and always ask questions.

Here are two websites that I religiously spent time on: www.hostel.com and www.hostelworld.com

• Home

So before I was going to be gone for a year, I wondered about homesickness. I had never been homesick and would actually drool at the fact of being far away, on my own. For college, I picked the farthest one from home but that still resides in my state. Don't get me wrong, I love my home, my house, my family and my hometown. But I need to see the world and experience things for myself. I guess I am what you would call a free-spirit.

To me, one could never get homesick if they knew they could go back home. My home would always be there, if I needed to ever get back, I could. Don't let the thought of being homesick frighten you into not traveling. If you don't go now, will you ever? Before I left I remember everyone mentioning just how long a year was, remarking on how I was going to make it and how it was just a long time to be gone. But honestly, those months went by so fast. Maybe it is just my personality or my aspirations, but I would give anything to do it again. Sorry. Now I am just rambling. Back to the point. Carry a little piece of home when you travel, that way it is always with you. Or jump on Skype and make a quick call home. Whatever it takes to leave behind all familiarity and jump into the unknown, do it. I promise you it is worth it.