It had been a great couple of days in London.

I spent some much-needed catch-up time with my friend Gavin, who I hadn't seen in almost a year. Despite the dreary London weather and a welcome-to-London moment getting cussed out–and returning the favor–on the Underground, I loved seeing the city through his eyes.

Gavin was thriving and I was totally here for it.

But, there was another side of the city that I also wanted to explore–an extension of my favorite community I've found while traveling, Onefam.

Onefam has two hostels in London, with tons of overlap between staff that worked with me in Barcelona. I booked 3 nights to reconnect with those people.

Upon checking in, I planned to grab a quick dinner and take it easy with Gavin since it would be a while since I saw him again. But that plan quickly changed when we walked into Onefam.

Within seconds he was meeting new people and locked in conversation. I wasn't surprised–Onefam has a way of enabling that sort of thing. But it was hilarious to watch it unfold as I caught up with old Barcelona friends.

Unintentionally, I had brought Gavin into my world of travel, a world that few friends from the US had gotten to see me in.

Worlds Colliding

While it was cool to see Gavin let loose in my favorite hostel chain, I was far more excited about him peeking into the best parts of my travel lifestyle.

Just as I'd seen London through his eyes, he was now experiencing hostel life through mine.

I had to tear him away from an enthusiastic conversation with Onefam volunteers to tell him my new proposal: let's ditch our lowkey dinner and experience a night on the town the best way I knew how.

We agreed instantly. In 36 hours he would be biking across the entirety of Wales, but no matter. We bought some beers and joined the party.

Being part of a Onefam outing without being the Captain was a relief. I love the responsibility, but letting loose without constantly managing the night and curating an experience for others is much easier.

Plus, I was here with one of my best friends! That hardly happens when I'm traveling and would thus be a night we'd share forever.

The People Make the Place

I'm happy that's the truth because the places we went weren't very memorable that night. Had it been Onefam in Barcelona, I would've avoided any outing that scheduled the two bars and techno club we went to.

Nonetheless, the people were fantastic. I reconnected with Barcelona staff and introduced Gavin to everyone...until he took the reins and introduced me to people he met.

It never really clicks until people experience the magic of hostels and solo travel. But that night, the dots connected.

"I now see why you love solo traveling."

I heard Gavin say some variant of that phrase more times than I can count.

Validating? Sure. But there was more to it than that.

Bringing People In

The point of a social hostel chain like Onefam is to connect people with one another. I love the interaction component of travel and thus I love that environment.

I also love my friends and sharing my experiences with people that matter. That isn't always easy when solo traveling because it's...solo.

But for one night, I got to introduce Gavin to a community that turns human connection into an art form. Gavin got to be a traveler in his own city. Together, we got to have a night we never forgot.

During a trip where I thought I'd exclusively experience London through Gavin, I got to return the favor and he experienced London through me.

Strangely enough.

But that's the beauty of travel and connection! You always have something to offer! Hostels and travelers are at their best when they facilitate an exchange of offerings between people who don't expect anything in return.

I thought this was backpacking at its best. But because Gavin isn't a backpacker, I've realized it's just life at its best.

As 3:00 AM rolled around and we went our separate ways, I couldn't help but appreciate the energy generated by worlds colliding. A ho-hum night became unforgettable because of the people I spent it with.

It was a great way to fall in love with London.

:)