Andrea and Carlos | Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel
What do you do here in this hostel bed?
We’re traveling around a lot, go surfing and have fun. At the moment we’re in San Diego for one month. Right now we’re staying at the ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel.
How is it to stay in the hostel dormitory as a couple?
Andrea: It’s cheaper and fun. We also love to get to know many people from different backgrounds. When nobody’s in the dormitory we cuddle. Also mostly, before going to bed and after waking up, but then we get back in our separate beds.
Carlos: Yesterday Andrea wanted to brush her teeth and came back totally drunk two hours later. That’s what a hostel is like. You just wanna brush your teeth and suddenly you’re joining a party and getting to know cool people. However, I wasn’t in a party mood yesterday – and that’s fine too.
Where have you met?
Andrea: We met each other seven years ago.
Carlos: I used to be with another girl at that time when Andrea came to my place through the girlfriend of my cousin. Well, and over time things worked out.
Do you often travel together?
Carlos: Yeah and mostly in the hostel. Although, we often try to get a private room in the hostel. Then you have the best of both worlds. A private room and the hostel family. We also check for a good hostel kitchen because we love to cook together.
Do you mind about the cleanliness?
Andrea: All hostels are different. This one is definitely one of the messier ones. But the location right at the beach is 10/10.
Carlos: After waking up I can go surfing right away and Andrea sits on the patio and read books with an ocean view.
Andrea: Today I listened to a podcast. It was about analyzing songs to find out the definition of love of the artists through their songs.
Another guest of the hostel comes to the room:
Guys, you wanna go to party in Tijuana (Mexico)?
All of us: thanks, maybe another time.
Carlos: Well, this happens at a hostel.
If somebody would analyze your relationship, what the person would find out about love?
Both: oh, I don’t know.
Andrea: Maybe a shifting pattern of love from hot love to fraternity. Right now we’re passing a lot of time together and do what good friends would do.
Carlos, do you agree with this observation?
Carlos: I think it’s right. I like to spend time with my girlfriend. It is about sharing and doing things we love. We also don’t need to be close all the time. We need our private space and our flexibility. It feels good to be in a relationship with the freedom to let each other do what we feel like in the moment.
What is your motto for life?
Carlos: Have fun, enjoy life, don’t give too much importance to stuff. Let go, even if things hurt sometimes.
Andrea: Same for me. But also it’s about taking your time. Time for travelling instead of chasing a good job position.
How do you earn the money to sustain your travels?
Carlos: I’m an IT consultant and I can easily work remotely. But if possible I always chose time over (additional) money.
How was your day?
Both: We went surfing together and went to see the sunset. We never miss the sunset. Mostly we bring some champagne or wine, grapes, and cheese. Every day the sunset is different. The light, the clouds, and the colors of the sky.
What makes you optimistic about the future?
Andrea: I’m optimistic about the future because I have seen a lot of kindness in people. People are becoming more aware of themselves and others.
Carlos: There’s also a lot to worry about. As a species, we are late with dealing with many dangers threatening the planet. But I also see that people are changing, becoming more grateful and helping each other.
Andrea: I’ve come to realize, if I can change myself, all people can change themselves.