SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8th
Not only has the hostel lived up to expectations, it has actually managed to exceed anything I could have hoped for. For 16,500 Tanzanian Shillings(Tsh) a night, or approximately $14, they provide lodging, breakfast, and dinner. They even do my laundry, with the exception of chupi (underwear), which I am responsible for myself. The place itself is about a 15 minute walk from the main road in Arusha, which actually makes it look like it's in quite a rural location. However, the security around the place is very good. It has a concrete wall around the entire complex, with broken glass stuck onto the top to prevent anyone from climbing over it (I don't mean to make it sound like a huge estate; it's just a small concrete courtyard out front, the actual hostel, and a fairly decent size backyard). They also have a guard on duty who stays at the front gate through the night. While this may sound a tad unsettling that these measures are necessary at the hostel, it's actually fairly standard practice for hotels, hostels, and larger homes.
Not only has the hostel lived up to expectations, it has actually managed to exceed anything I could have hoped for. For 16,500 Tanzanian Shillings(Tsh) a night, or approximately $14, they provide lodging, breakfast, and dinner. They even do my laundry, with the exception of chupi (underwear), which I am responsible for myself. The place itself is about a 15 minute walk from the main road in Arusha, which actually makes it look like it's in quite a rural location. However, the security around the place is very good. It has a concrete wall around the entire complex, with broken glass stuck onto the top to prevent anyone from climbing over it (I don't mean to make it sound like a huge estate; it's just a small concrete courtyard out front, the actual hostel, and a fairly decent size backyard). They also have a guard on duty who stays at the front gate through the night. While this may sound a tad unsettling that these measures are necessary at the hostel, it's actually fairly standard practice for hotels, hostels, and larger homes.
View of hostel from the "road"
The hostel itself can house up to 16 guests in four bedrooms (3 dorms and a two person bedroom), although apparently they aren't very busy around the holidays. As of today there was only one other guest, however, there are supposed to be several others returning in a couple days from either trekking Mount Meru (located just outside of Arusha), a safari, or from the island of Zanzibar. In addition to the bedrooms and bathrooms there is also a living room area with several couches, a TV, and a bookshelf where travels can leave behind old books and pick out new ones to take. The hostel also has a DVD player and quite a collection of DVDs, which will be nice for times in the evening when I have nothing to do, or just when I'm feeling a little homesick. While I only committed to a couple of nights thus far, designed to be a trial run, I already feel very comfortable here and have a strong feeling that I wll be calling this place home for the next four months.
View of Mount Meru from backyard (I'll try and get a better one on a clearer day)
Bedding, complete with mosquito net
Since you have left...
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