HOSTEL FRIENDSHIP AFTER A BREAKUP

I cried on a train, cliché but so cliché for a reason. It was very romantic. It’s beautiful to romanise sad moments too, they make the happy ones more precious. As I watched Egypt’s beautiful dry desert countryside pass by, wet tears slid down my cheek.

It was two days after the breakup. I checked into a big, bright, orange and cozy Alexandrian hostel by the sea. The two sweet girls at reception noticed my vibes. One asked if I was okay, and I said, “ya but I’ve just been broken up with,” to which they responded, “oh no, was he Egyptian?” Followed by the other girl who said “Oh no was his name Ahmed?” We laughed.

One of the girls working showed me my bunk. When she introduced herself, I noticed and commented that she has the same name as my best friend. “Well, I can be your best friend here then” she said. She couldn't understand why I'd been broken up with, and invtited me to tell her the story.

We were to chat more about our boy drama at breakfast, as she had also just been broken up with too, and it wasn’t the first time. I found this hard to believe, because she gave off goddess vibes. I already had a huge friend crush on her.

We became instant friends, and I loved staying up late and chatting with her every day. Because of her, and the beautiful city of Alexandria, I extended my hostel stay too much longer than planned.

She introduced me into her friend group, and we made every little adventure feel special; from seaside walks, late night tea, dancing, making tiktoks, working out at her gym, meeting friends, eating yummy meals, outfit shopping and breakfast chats. She made me fall in love with our friendship and Alexandria. I saw Egypt with a new perspective. Sometimes we would talk about culture and languauge differences together, she helped me understand so much.

We have plans to live together as roomies in the future, in Dahab, another Egyptian beach city. I am so grateful for our friendship, and how it showed me that a goodbye can mean a new hello. I love letting the magic of hostels show me what is needed. Hostels guide me to connections I never even imagined possible. This is an ode to those magical hostel friendships that make our hearts, dreams, minds and loved communities grow bigger.