A Terrible Stay in a Hostel like House

(An expert from my journal.)

Not off to a good start here… I waited an hour for her “friends” (who were actually other volunteers) to pick me up; they couldn’t find me. Fine. I found out there are 8 other volunteers here, which I would have been fine with, but as far as I knew, it was just going to be me, the mom, and her son.. so that was a surprise.. 3-4 of the people in this house have the flu, which I was not warned of until I was getting picked up. One would think that a host would warn their arriving guest ahead of time and maybe even suggest finding another place to prevent contamination... the French girl thinks she brought it. I don’t want the flu, I really don’t. I have to fly in a week and I don’t want to spread this to everyone on the plane, or sit on several planes for 20+ hours feeling feverish and sick.

After lunch everyone disappeared; I don’t know where they are and I’m lonely. One guy with the flu has been moved to the living room so I can take his room. He’s been here for a year, so it’s his room. The host did not pay attention to planning. We’re short two rooms; one girl is sleeping on an air mattress in the home gym, and the other sick person (whose room I took) is now in the living room...). 

I feel like I’m in a hostel, not a home. Everyone speaks French, which is good for practicing, but isolating. I’m sad and alone, I miss my other hosts. I don’t like it here. It seems to alternate between good and not so good places.

Where did everyone go? When I arrived I just stood there with no idea where to go or what to do. I had no introduction. Someone had pointed me in the direction of the living room, where I found my host lying on a mattress on the floor watching TV. I popped my head in to say hello and she gave me a floppy hand wave and a "Hello. I don't actually know where you're staying because I think I've mucked it up a bit. Ha!" I've had this planned for a month or two... This is not enjoyable. I just want to be somewhere that feels like home and is comfortable. I guess that’s all anyone wants. This is a terrible welcome.

I’ve been here for about 4 hours and I’ve messaged my hosts to see if they would be able to take me back. There’s a difference between getting out of your comfort zone and being unhappy, and here, I am unhappy.

[A few hours later:]

I MADE IT BACK I MADE IT BACK!!! They rescued me and I LEFT!! Oh, I LEFT! I am SO HAPPY beyond words to be back with them, and now I just need to figure out my trip to the airport, but a night in a (safe) hostel is 100% worth not being there for a week.”

I cannot express how grateful and thankful I am to my host family in Cygnet for 1. being so wonderful, and 2. rescuing me from that flu house with 4 too many people. It is a wonderful feeling to know you have people you like and trust who are willing to save you if need be. The world is full of wonderful, kind people and I’m lucky to have met some of them. :)