Hostel Living

I've just rented out a bunk bed in a 6 bed hostel dorm room in the city of Dalian, where I anticipate staying for the next month.

No, I have not gone broke betting on football. It's actually a part of my latest effort to learn Chinese.

After three weeks studying Chinese characters in Tianjin, I've moved on to the city of Dalian, a coastal city in northern China. The people of northeastern China are known for having the most standard Chinese accents and, in my short time here, I've found it much easier to practice my speaking here than in other parts of China.

As far as the dorm room is concerned... Although I have frequently been staying in hostels throughout my trip, I have until now always rented my own room or stayed with friends. I am normally a very private person and not the type to strike up conversations with strangers. But by thrusting myself into the same living quarters as a bunch of random Chinese travelers, I will pretty much be forced to speak the language.

A few months ago, I would have recoiled at the thought of sharing the same bedroom and bathroom as a bunch of strangers. I grew up an only child and have an OCD like phobia of public bathrooms. I don't share well with others.

But I guess a month in western Sichuan sleeping in barns and villages has hardened me to a certain degree. Besides, I figure that sometimes the most worthwhile experiences in life occur when you push yourself outside your comfort zone.