Hostel - the movie

You've probably heard of the new movie called Hostel about a few guys traveling Europe who encounter some terrible things in Eastern Europe. I've not seen it, and probably won't for awhile since I live in Croatia and it won't play here for several weeks at least. Not that I really want to see it for I'm not real happy about its effect on backpacking Europe and on Slovakia as a travel destination.

First, I know it's just a movie, but I must tell people who somehow think this movie captures the reality of hostels in Eastern Europe or anywhere that this definitely incorrect. I bet more than a few people have seen this and decided that the backpacking Europe adventure that they always dreamed about might not be such a good idea after all. Who wants to get tortured to death in a cheap hostel in some distant land?

That would be a very unfortunate result if this movie scared people away from this kind of trip. After all, the whole of Europe is, no doubt in my mind, much safer than many parts of the US.

So, first lesson, hostels are safe and backpacking Europe is safe. Why don't you check it out for yourself rather than let some fictitious (and let's face it, stupid) movie decide for you.

Next, I feel sorry for the poor people running the Slovakia tourism board (see here also). They've spent more than a decade in the shadows the Czech Republic, as the hordes flock to nearby Prague, while skipping Bratislava and Slovakia entirely.

And yet recently travelers have discovered Bratislava as the "new Prague" a hip and trendy and beautifully historic capital city less than an hour from Vienna. Not to mention Slovakia's growing reputation as an outdoors paradise for hiking, skiing, and the like.

Then along comes this grotesque movie about travelers getting tortured to death in a Slovakia hostel and 15 years of hard work and solid gains in tourism go down the drain. I hope this doesn't happen but, as an American who knows how we think, I bet thousands of people who see this movie now view Slovakia as some wasteland and who will never set foot there.

That's a real shame. As someone who spent a few days in Bratislava in August 2005, I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful small city. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed Prague, but we liked Bratislava even more because it is so fresh and untouristed, not to mention cheap as hell (hearty dinner and beer for $5). It's safe as can be and the people are friendly and warm.

So those of you scared off from backpacking Europe or from visiting Slovakia, think again. Don't let your thoughts and dreams be led by a silly movie that has no basis in reality. Go and see yourself.

Here are some personal photos from Bratislava (looks pretty safe and attractive, heh?):

National theater in a main town square

Sidewalk sculpture in central Bratislava

Bratislava castle - lots of history here

That's me in the city center

Maris above the mighty Danube

Comments

[Robert M]

I am afraid that Eastern Europe don't accomplish european laws. Western countries as France, Spain, Andorra, Italy are safe... but Slovakia and other eastern and russian countries do what they want. No law for them, and if this movie shows tourists as an objective for them is because there have been so many cases of tourists that never went back home... I would never visit Eastern Europe or countries as Brazil. Being poor makes you weak, and if u see your mother or your sons dying because they have not food... they do whatever they can to give them some money... and tourist that drink everyday are easy to take wherever they want... saying they'll take you to museums, or what they wish. Never travel alone...

[Ryan]

David Addision,
1) Have you personally been to Slovakia? I didn't think so. Well I have and I would not hesitate to call it a safe place and safer than the one I and probably you are from, the US. Until you have personally seen a place, don't pass judgment on something you don't know.
2) Please back up your assertions with some evidence. I'd like to see some actual news items on what you describe. And if it is so common, as you imply, then I expect you to send me a whole bunch of stories on this. I won't be holding my breath on that.

One more thing, don't be such a sucker for urban legends.

Ryan

[David Addison]

Yes the movie is both sick and full of plot holes.

But this doesnt change the real life fact that these monstrous horrible actions DO REALLY HAPPEN THERE ! Only the reason is different, in the movie they slash tourists for fun, in realtiy tourists are slashed alive for profit in Slovakia.

Before arguing me go and dig up some news. You will find out that this nice country is one of the major organ mafia central of the euro-asian territory. Peole are being still kidnapped for organs with the same method used in the film, beautiful Slovakian whores...

Or screw what I say and go to Slovakia for a holiday, You will have a great probability of getting laid with a Slovakian beauty and also a great chance to find your kidneys chopped of when you wake up (or if you can wake up)