Jain Spirit 2004 10 No 20

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

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Mira and Jaymal resting up
LIFESTYLE
surrounding area and they are always ready to help provide ideas of what to do. As most hostels are located in places of outstanding beauty, the emphasis is to leave your car in the car park, leave the hostel by 10am every day and explore the surrounding countryside on foot or on bicycle. They can suggest best routes for all abilities and provide you with maps and directions. In quite a few hostels now the wardens provide home cooked vegetarian meals in the evenings at a very reasonable rate, though you always have the option of self-catering if you wish. The kitchens are always clean and very well stocked with utensils. You only need to bring whatever food you want to cook or buy it locally.
As mentioned earlier, rooms are bunk-bedded. They are clean, simple and very functional. You are provided with laundered bedlinen to make up your beds and pillows, duvets or blankets. At the end of your stay, the bedlinen is given for washing and you are expected to leave your room neat and tidy, just as you found it on your arrival. At most hostels, one will find a common sitting area where all members can socialise, also a self-catering kitchen, a drying room, a cycle store and a car park.
Compared to hotels, these are ideal places for taking young children to as they are 'home from home! They can learn about travelling and enjoying the environment in a holistic manner. They will experience natural fun and adventure. They learn to eat healthily, especially if they have spent the whole day outside in the fresh air. In the evenings, if they still have the energy, they can socialise and make friends with other children of their age rather than sit in front of a television or play on the Play Station!
Booking hostels is easy. Simply call the hostel to check availability or log onto the YHA website (see below). It is advisable to book ahead during peak holiday periods. To join the YHA in England or Wales and for further information, please log onto www.yha.org.uk. For information of YHA in other countries, check the above website for relevant links.
Ajay and Mira live in London and actively promote Indian culture and values.
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