To Stay or Not To Stay: Hollywood Beach Hotel

I come across many people who express their desire to have an extended stay at the beach or to journey to far flung places in the world. The number one obstacle to making their desire a reality is money.

I will be the first to admit. Travel and housing expenses can wipe out a budget depending on your destination and length of stay.

Well, I want to propose one way to reduce your housing expenses. Explore the option of staying in a hostel.

Like some of my readers, I had watched backpackers wander into interesting looking buildings with colorful signs that read “hostel”, but I had my own assumptions as to what these places entailed. Other readers do not have any idea about hostels whatsoever.

A hostel is a low cost, accommodation where travelers reside in “dorm style” rooms. Most of these rooms contain bunk beds and can hold up to 8-10 people, depending on the size of the room. The dorm rooms are can be single gender or mixed gender. Typically, mixed gender rooms are lower cost. In addition to the dorm style rooms, there are some private room options available at rates that are similar to that of a motel. Prices for the multi-bed options can range from $12-23.

Sounds like a steal, right? Well, I love the price too. However, I always wondered if the tradeoff of cleanliness, privacy, safety and who –knows-whatever-else was worth it.

So, how about a little experiment?

I had been doing a little research prior to my journey to Hollywood, Florida and located The Hollywood Beach Hotel. The owners have a number of traditional hotel properties on South Beach, and this Hollywood edition looked to be a really cool looking place. HBH has private rooms, family suites AND dorm style rooms on the site.

I took a visit last night, and I decided to take the plunge.

Although I had read rave reviews about the place online, I still had the slight, unsubstantiated fear that one of my dorm mates would try and harm me in the middle of the night. The self-concocted, horrific storyline fell flat. My three dorm mates are quiet, polite and European.

My sole disappointment thus far is that I can’t fully sit up straight while sitting on my bed. My head keeps hitting the base of the top bunk.

And…the most interesting encounter was with a guy who proudly announced to me (and everyone in the living room) that he was from East Point (near Atlanta) and that he The Hollywood Beach Hotel so much that he had been living there for 30 days. To learn more about HBH and all the freebies that they provide its lodgers, check out their web site.

The Snack Xchange: Taste Like Jiffy

My snack arsenal is pretty serious. I bring a couple of boxes fruit snacks, trail mix, a snickers or two. Some of the snacks are for me. The rest of the snacks are to give away to my trainer(s) and other athletes. Well, the snacks go both ways. The other day at training they were passing out cake slices (bollo) by Bimbo. Bimbo is probably the equivalent of Little Debbie as far as the snack game goes.

This was my first time trying it, and it was good. My chunk definitely gave me a dose of energy. Check it out!

Wrong Taxi, Wrong Street: Qiana's Encounter with Colombian Police

This evening I attended a small birthday celebration for my trainer in Barranquilla, Professor Alzate. Everything was great, and I had a fabulous time.

However, there was a small, but jarring twist to my evening. Ronald, a fellow athlete, was charged with the task of making sure that I arrived to my temporary residence safely. He, along with my trainer, flagged a taxi and negotiated the fare.

We had to have gone maybe 3 side streets when two Colombian Policeman stop the car. It is around probably midnight or so at the time (I think). They are waving their flashlights in the car and asking the driver questions. Before I know it, we are asked to get out of the car. One policeman is asking me questions on one side of the car, while his partner is questioning my escort.

Now, the Spanish is coming fast from the policeman and slow from me. I was instructed to step away from the car, open my bag and answer whether or not I had drugs. I was processing everything as fast as I could, but it was obvious the Policeman wasn't understanding why I was giving short answers and not pleading my case.

Ronald was doing all he could to explain as fast as he could why in the world I was looking like a panic stricken, non-Spanish speaking American on a side street in the middle of a nontourist neightborhood in Barranquilla.

For the first 3 minutes, I started to get a really sick feeling to my stomach. You know you hear about those stories of shady police, being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the stigma (unfortunately) of being an American.

Ronald could sense I wasn't looking too well, and he told me to stay calm. I, too inserted a mental note of looking at peace because those guilty of transporting drugs panic, right?

Taxis passed down the dark street and there were a few passersby, as Ronald and I watched the two cops talk on their radios, check under the hood of the car and continually ask questions of our driver.

Finally, the police agreed to Ronald's plea to let us go so that he could make sure that I arrived to my aparthotel. I was happy that whatever the ongoing situation with the taxi driver didn't automatically include the passengers.

We were told to get back in our original taxi. One of the policemen hopped in the front seat...and that's where the video picks up. Here's the remainder of my trip after my encounter with the Colombian Police. Getting a lift to a main street. Ronald negotiating with another driver, and then recounting our hold up. Of course, I follow up with my English synopsis.

Columbia or Colombia Colombia?

I am in Colombia. I know this may raise an eyebrow because many of you didn't see this coming. Neither did I to be quite frank.

In the midst of planning another trip to Brazil, a series of events took place that have me typing this entry from a small inn in Barranquilla as Velez and Deportiva Italia battle it out in a 2010 Copa Libertadores match.

Before you hit up Barranquilla on Wikipedia, I will tell you that the city is quite large and is located on the Caribbean side of the ocean. This city is known for its 4 day Carnavale.

It was less than a week ago that I began conducting a serious inquiry into all things Barranquilla. By Monday, I was debating the finer points of selecting an airline.

My experience today confirmed that my airline selection was on point. I selected the Colombian airline for the second half of my trip. The price was excellent, and I like to get my cultural immersion started time I pull away from the final domestic gate.

Avianca reconfirmed the interntional airline place in my mind as a traveler's "best bang for your buck" when it comes to air service in 3 ways.

First, they shun the idea of charging for unncessary items. A pillow and blanket were waiting for me in my seat free of charge.

Second, they want their passengers to relax into the experience in a healthy way. Shortly after our gate departure, warm toilettes were distributed to each passenger.

Third, they anticipate client needs. Who would like to kill time with a little reading and television. Flight stewards distributed free newspapers and magazines to us for our reading pleasure.

Fourth, they move fast and do the unthinkable. How about they served a full on free meal for a 2 hour flight?!? I know all you frequent domestic fliers got the memo on the $5 can of peanuts, not to mention the meal charge if you do have a flight long enough to have meal service.

Lastly, customer service can be earth friendly. Did I mention that my beverage cup(s) were 100% biodegradable?

Next time you want to take a jaunt out of the US, take a look at one of those international airlines. You will more than likely get way more (in a good way) than what you bargained for!

P.S. I know the audio is low but enjoy taking a look at what's left of my free Avianca lunch!