Hostel or Hostile?

Hello? um... hi...
So 27 days and counting. Sea and I are starting to get pretty pumped up about the upcoming Spark that Tour. May 27th 2008 will mark the start of our first ever international extravaganza. Yeah... we've got a lot of great people backing us on this one. And while we're kind of a big deal in Europe, and could potentially stay in any five star hotel that we choose, we decided to get back to our roots on this tour, really reconnect with the average Joe. Right from the get-go we had made up our minds; our accommodations for the 25 day tour would consist of mainly hostels as well as the floors and guest rooms of a couple generous friends and family members.

Now, in retrospect... would it have been easier to stay in the five star hotels? perhaps. Would we feel more comfortable? maybe. safer? i guess so. But ultimately, would we feel like we were making the very most of our first tour as a world renowned folk rock duo? no. Most definitely not.

We kick things off in Paris and will be staying there for three nights in total, so over the last couple days we've been looking into hostels in and around this great City of Love. So far, it's been rough. Apparently these places book up rather quickly around the summer months. It's slim pickins... but we've narrowed it down to two hostels.

Option #1:
Hostel Blue Planet
5 Rue Hector Malot
3 bed female dorm from $42.77 per person per night

Customer Reviews

" Terrible place with extremely unfriendly staff. No one should ever stay at this place unless the whole of Paris is booked out!"
-Vibhavan of India

"The sheets that I rented for 2 euros seemed OK but it was odd when I woke up the next day and I couldn't stop itching."
-blt8263106 of France

HostelWorld.com overall rating of 54%

Option #2
Friend's Hostel
122 Boulevard de la Chapelle, 75018
14 bed dorm from $32.90 per person per night

Customer Reviews

" the staff had a really bad attityde, The rooms was a mess, No security at all, and we found a cockroaches at the toilet..."
-matildastenholm3380 of Sweden

"He viajado por Europa y NO RECOMIENDO A NADIE ESTE HOSTEL. Atención mala. Cocina asquerosa, está TODO sucio. Lugar con buena ubicación, pero PELIGROSO.. de las 5 p.m. se llena (unos 20) de tipos tomando y que se te tiran encima aun estando el metro frente al hostel.. De verdad es muy peligroso, solo en la mañana temprano puedes salir tranquilo a la calle. Es uno de los peores lugares en que he estado."
-Sheila of Chile

HostelWorld.com overall rating of 59%.

So these are the only two places that had available accomodations for the nights we'll be in Paris. I dunno about you but Option #2 seems to have caught my eye. I don't speak Chile... but I think its safe to say that 'NO RECOMIENDO A NADIE ESTE HOSTEL' ain't a bad thing. Sounds as though Ms. Sheila had a cracking good time. eh eh?
I realize the ratings are a bit low, but you shouldn't worry about it. I'm not worried about it. Don't worry about it.

We would greatly appreciate any comments or tips you guys might have on traveling. We're really trying to take the high road here. If you... oh i dunno, have a couch, or floor, or bed, or spot beside you while you are sleeping, that you want us to fill, please don't hesitate to e-mail us. Sparkthatmotion@hotmail.com
It's up and running. We tested it. Twice. and Called hotmail just to make sure. it works. Trust us.

Anyway, Sea is hassling me to get her another drink. Those whiskey sours don't mix themselves.

Sparklingly yours,

-Quinn-xo