Writers’ Paradise

We returned wednesday from our four day Paris trip. We stayed there at Friend’s hostel, which is a budget hotel in the center of Paris. I read a few review about the this cheap hostel only after we had already booked our reservation. The reviews were not very encouraging and only a few of them had anything positive to say about the hostel. I was worried, because it is one thing to go on a carefree trip alone. But when you have kids traveling with you then you have to do things in a certain way, so as the trip is comfortable for your children. My husband asked his friend who is doing P.hd in Paris. The friend assured that these hostels are only for tourists and there is nothing to worry.
Friends Hostel Review:

Staff: We met three people who were on the reception during different shifts. The lady didn’t speak English, but tried to help. One of the two guys was really arrogant and unfriendly. He was very rude. The other guy was cordial. When our friend came to meet , he told us that visitors are not allowed, but offered to unlock the Porch area for them so that we can sit there and talk.
Room : The room was a match box. There was a bunk bed and two other beds. The room smelled like hell when we first opened it. There was a large window which opened in the street, but nobody had cared to open it to let the fresh air in.The bedding was clean though.
Shower and Toilet: The shower had hot water and the toilet was clean, but there was only one bathroom and one toilet on the 1st floor where we stayed. So we had to be up early to avoid long wait.
Kitchen: There was a common kitchen where you could cook your meals, but I don’t know much about it. We didn’t have time to cook anything. They used to come late from outing.
The neighborhood: I had read in the reviews that the area is infested with drug dealers and gangsters. That was really true. There were many shady looking people selling drug in open and secretively. Three times we saw cops near friends hostel, doing searches on these drug dealers. One thing I must say that we encountered no problems whatsoever, while returning or going out from their hotel. Nobody bothered us in any way.

If you want a cheap and affordable accommodation in Paris then Friends hostel is ideal for you. It is very near to the metro station too. Backpackers will find the location most suitable, because you can buy a three day pass and board the train easily.

France is a very large and lively country, with many a regions that are each remarkably different in their own way. In some parts of France there are huge mountains, while in others there are forests, wide rivers, ancient castles, or medieval towns overlooking amazing coasts with beaches. But what the French have in common throughout the country is a love of cuisine alongside a liking for long leisurely meals, with many courses, and a good discussion. The French love to talk! Here is a list of some interesting facts about France:

• The Eiffel Tower has been sold twice for scrap. A con man named Victor Lustig made a lot of money by selling the Tower to gullible people. He did this twice.

• Letter boxes and postal vans are yellow.

• Post offices have a blue bird logo against a yellow background. They are never found in a newsagents or a grocer’s.

• You will find sometimes see elegant ladies with fancy poodle dogs.

• Café is part of the French way of life. They often have a bar. Children can go into any part of the café including the bar. The French like children. So expect a little bit of patting on your kid’s head.

• The French drive on the right side of the road, so to avoid being squashed, you must first look left, not right!

• French restaurants serve cheese before, not after pudding, so that a sweet taste is left in your mouth at the end of the meal.

• Marche aux Puces de la Porte St Ouen, or the flea market, in Paris is the biggest market of this type in the world.

• You can read more interesting facts about France at Citizen of the World.