Due to a random culmination of events, it turns out that I will be living in a hotel during my stay in Hue! At first I was really turned off by the idea. I was expecting to have a homestay like I did while in the Philippines and was really looking forward to getting to know a family, not to mention having home-cooked meals! In the end though, I am very happy where I am. I did a little shopping around (and once the word got out that there was a foreigner looking to rent a room for a couple of months, I got really good offers thrown at me!) and found a nice place in the middle of the backpacker's area of Hue -- which as it turns out amounts to about 4 blocks. I've got hot water, a fridge, a window with a view, and loads of space. I was also about to bargain for free laundry once a week and use of the kitchen to cook from time to time. All in all, not bad for 6$/day!
Pros of living in a hotel: room service! Though funnily enough I had to argue with the staff that I didn't in fact need or want someone to come in and clean my room everyday. They seemed to think that I was incapable of making my own bed and taking out my trash. Also, since I'm keeping food in my room they were worried about the floor and my attracting bugs. Once they mentioned that, I got worried about it as well! We came up with a two-day a week cleaning schedule for the big stuff and they come in and mop the floor every second day quickly. Still, it's strange for me to come back to my room and have all my things tidied up... In fact I've started tidying up myself on days that I know they'll clean as a preparation! Other pros include security, good and unbiased information (the fact that I'm living here has really opened up the staff to me and we've had a good laugh -- especially when I'm in the kitchen!), and a good sense of privacy.
Cons of living in a hotel: isolation. Had I been staying with a homestay I would always have people around. The evenings in a hotel can be very quiet and lonesome. However, the fact that I have wifi access in my room has made things much better as I've been making it a point to call someone almost every night. Another unexpected con is that since I'm in the middle of the backpacker's area, I can't go outside without being offered a cyclo or motorbike ride. However, great progress has recently happened on this front: just yesterday I went out and the cyclo driver that's on the corner saw me and said: "hello miss! no cyclo today, I know!" with a smile, which had me laughing out loud. He seemed so proud to have remembered.
Well, I have to admit that I never thought that I'd be living in a hotel, but it's something to experience like anything else! I've taken the time to personalize the room, moved furniture, gotten rid of the tv, bought a kettle, and put up pictures. The staff have been opening up slowly to me and I've taken to help out with other guests when we cross in the lobby which is appreciated all around. All in all, I think I like living here. Well see in a month or two!
Pros of living in a hotel: room service! Though funnily enough I had to argue with the staff that I didn't in fact need or want someone to come in and clean my room everyday. They seemed to think that I was incapable of making my own bed and taking out my trash. Also, since I'm keeping food in my room they were worried about the floor and my attracting bugs. Once they mentioned that, I got worried about it as well! We came up with a two-day a week cleaning schedule for the big stuff and they come in and mop the floor every second day quickly. Still, it's strange for me to come back to my room and have all my things tidied up... In fact I've started tidying up myself on days that I know they'll clean as a preparation! Other pros include security, good and unbiased information (the fact that I'm living here has really opened up the staff to me and we've had a good laugh -- especially when I'm in the kitchen!), and a good sense of privacy.
Cons of living in a hotel: isolation. Had I been staying with a homestay I would always have people around. The evenings in a hotel can be very quiet and lonesome. However, the fact that I have wifi access in my room has made things much better as I've been making it a point to call someone almost every night. Another unexpected con is that since I'm in the middle of the backpacker's area, I can't go outside without being offered a cyclo or motorbike ride. However, great progress has recently happened on this front: just yesterday I went out and the cyclo driver that's on the corner saw me and said: "hello miss! no cyclo today, I know!" with a smile, which had me laughing out loud. He seemed so proud to have remembered.
Well, I have to admit that I never thought that I'd be living in a hotel, but it's something to experience like anything else! I've taken the time to personalize the room, moved furniture, gotten rid of the tv, bought a kettle, and put up pictures. The staff have been opening up slowly to me and I've taken to help out with other guests when we cross in the lobby which is appreciated all around. All in all, I think I like living here. Well see in a month or two!
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