The ribbon-cutting for the New Boston Hostel with the Mayor!
Perhaps you read in the Boston Globe that Boston just opened the New Boston Hostel: a gorgeous, affordable 480-bed hostel in the heart of downtown…
…and that I gave a rousing speech to the packed crowd at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting, alongside the Mayor of Boston!
Here is the text of my speech.
Hello, my name is Lillie Marshall, and I am a 30-year old Boston Public Schools teacher. Any guesses how many nights of my life I have stayed in a hostel?
(Dramatic pause for guesses.)
I have stayed more than 100 nights of my life in hostels around the world, spanning 5 different continents.
Making the speech you are now reading, after the Mayor.
Here’s why: After five years of teaching in Boston, I took a leave of absence to travel around the world from 2009 to 2010.
It was amazing! During this time I launched my two travel websites, Teaching Traveling and Around The World “L”, to show the world that it’s far easier and cheaper to see the world than people know.
And a major secret to affordable travel is… hostels.
Now, raise your hand if you’re ever heard these misconceptions about hostels:
“Hostels are just for young people.”
“They’re unsafe.”
“They’re nasty!”
Well, I am here to tell you that these are NOT TRUE. Let me tell you a story to illustrate that hostelling is the key to safe, inexpensive, wonderful travel.
Who here has ever traveled to China? What about China in the summertime?
One of the many lovely common areas in the New Boston Hostel.
(A few audience members raise their hands, laughing and shaking their heads in remembrance of the heat.)
It was August of 2011. I’d been traveling through central China for a week in the sticky, 95-degree heat, staying not in hostels, but with local friends… and I was sick as a dog.
As I staggered off the bus into Shanghai, I was jostled by the thousands of people in the street. Cars and mopeds honked and nearly ran me over, my fever was swirling, and the neon lights and thick smells assaulted my face. My money was running low, and I couldn’t read signs to get to a bank.
Such sleek design in the dining room of the New Boston Hostel.
Thankfully, before leaving the U.S. I had used Hostelling International’s website to pre-book a room in Shanghai’s Blue Mountain Hostel. I pulled the directions that the site had graciously provided out of my pocket, and praised the hazy gray sky that it was only a block from where I was.
When I walked into the Hostelling International Blue Mountain Hostel, I literally started to cry.
“Hello!” said the staff with a smile, as the air conditioning soothed my sweat-streaked face. “Welcome!” Calming music played and the halls were immaculately clean and decorated with useful tourist information.
Happy travelers relaxing in the Boston hostel lobby.
My comfortable, clean bed was $10 a night.
I was only supposed to stay for a night, but I extended my booking for a whole week.
A hostel is an international world– a haven– unlike anywhere else, and I challenge you not to smile, sitting in the cheery communal cafe with people of all ages from around the world, swapping stories, reading, eating, and planning which parts of the city to visit.
Hostels are the key to seeing the world affordably, safely, and beautifully.
Now let’s talk about this New Boston Hostel.
When I left America in 2009 to travel around the world for a year, my purpose was to find a better city than Boston to live. I traveled through Asia, Africa, and Europe, and guess where I concluded is the best place on earth?
(Audience cheers: “BOSTON!”)
That’s right: Boston. I LOVE Boston, and it makes me go “Woo hoo!” whenever I see tourists walking through our amazing city.
But for decades, there’s been a problem: It’s nearly impossible to stay in Boston for less than $200 a night. In my world travels, I’ve heard numerous folks say, “I’d love to see Boston, but are there affordable places to stay?”
The ribbon is cut and the New Boston Hostel is officially open!
And thus, I say THANK YOU to this new Boston Hostel: the third largest hostel in America. This hostel is a GIFT to the travelers of the world, because they can finally tour one of the best cities on earth, affordably.
In 2011, I cried with happiness, walking into the welcoming arms of the Shanghai Hostelling International Hostel. Oh new Boston Hostel, whose life will YOU change?
Thank you.
What is the difference between a hotel and a hostel, Ms. Marshall?
What is the hostel in Boston called?
A hostel is usually less expensive, and has shared dorm rooms. The hostel in Boston is called… The New Boston Hostel!
Before reading this article I did not know what a hostel was. I thought Ms. Marshall made a spelling error. “IMPOSSIBLE” thought I. Boston is just a little fancier now.
Wonderful writing! I’m an English teacher, and my first experience with a hostel was during travel-study in Ireland. I had such a great time that I’ve almost exclusively stayed in hostels when traveling with my own kids. What better way to connect with a city and with the world than by opening yourself to new experiences and meeting different people? Enjoy your travels!
I loved your speech Lillie, it brought back all my amazing hostel memories from my travels in Europe and South America. My favorite memory was when my group of friends were picked up by the grandpa of the hostel manager on an island in Greece in his blue mini moke, as it was one of my first trips I had a ton of luggage, the grandpa had to make multiple trips just to fit all of our bags, once the transfer was finally complete we celebrated with ouzo and a dance party!
That’s hilarious!!!
Great speech… looks like a great place to stay. I always enjoy hearing about endeavours like these because it helps improve the perception people have of hostels as more than just dives for poor students.
What a great speech! I love hostels and will continue to use them. I’ve never been to Boston, and this post makes me want to visit. Happy to hear that there’s a huge and affordable hostel in the city. How fun that you were a part of the opening, too!
Thanks! Boston is a GREAT place to visit. Hope you do! When they asked me to speak at the ribbon cutting, they said, “We have all sorts of important politicians and businesspeople speaking, but suddenly we realized… we need the voice of someone who’s actually stayed in lots of hostels in the mix!”
Haha, funny story! I love it.
Although I’d rather couchsurf (it’s much easier on my wallet), it’s always great when new hostels open. I’ve had memorable nights at hostels.
Great news! I’d love to stay in a place like this next time I swing through Boston.
Woo hoo!
Nice job, Lillie! Movin’ on up
The pictures of Hostel are fantastic! I kind of want to stay there, but that’d be silly, since I live here.
Thanks! Well, for $29 it might be nice to have a change of scene one evening and see what it’s like to be a tourist in our fine city. You could even adopt an alternate personality, like “Doris from Finland” or “Juliana from Argentina!”
Oooh, role-playing with travel! Sounds like fun!
That RTW trip truly has changed your life, hasn’t it! The pictures & hostel look great! I’ll have to come back out at some point. Great speech!
Drew, you are so right. (Readers who don’t know, Drew was the brilliant travel agent who helped book the flights for my nine month travels. Story here: http://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2009/07/26/how-the-rtw-ticket-was-born-or-how-you-too-can-finagle-an-sta-deal/ )
I have another article coming out soon on http://MeetPlanGo.com about why it’s actually BETTER for your career to leave the job and the country than to stay. Please do share my story with people who call STA asking you whether or not they should travel long-term!
Awesome job Lillie !! You are admirable !! Keep up the great work !
Thanks, Rich! Travelers of the world and hostels of the world are admirable, too!