Thank you again to Mat and Sharry Englehorn of Angels Trumpet Ale House as well as Kelly Aubey of FilmBar for a wonderful evening of beer, food and thought-provoking film.  Also, a special thanks to Kelsey Wong of Co+Hoots for co-hosting. It was a pleasure to work with you, Kelsey!

The October Get Your PHX will be a stay-cation of sorts as we meet Amber Harrold, owner of the new Camelbackpackers Hostel at 13th Ave and McDowell.

I grew up and traveled with the Youth Hostel experience. Whenever I traveled Europe, I would grab a bunk, pay much less than a hotel and meet some incredible people from all around the world.

It is a tradition that never really caught on in the United States, but is growing in popularity. If you live in the Garfield neighborhood, you know that there is a youth hostel there. You can tell by the confused and nearly heat-stroked Germans walking by with shocked looks on their faces, especially in the summer.

However, Amber is starting a new concept hostel for Phoenix. This well-appointed, fresh hostel sits next to one of the premier historic neighborhoods in Phoenix. In Europe backpackers from the very young to the very old use hostels. Amber’s oldest guest was 69.

The Camelbackpackers Hostel is a small hostel by European standards, able to take as many as 16 people. They have two dorm rooms with bunk beds and a private room.

Amber, an army veteran originally from Nebraska fell in love with hostels when she was deployed to Germany. After returning to the US and a job with Pepsi here in Phoenix six years ago, she looked in to starting a hostel.

While their policy is to not allow local residents to use the hostel, many folks use the hostel’s private room as an inexpensive place for relatives to stay from out of state.

Amber takes special pains to make certain she recommends local attractions and businesses for her visiting guests. The Camelbackpackers is a unique gateway through which new people experience the real Phoenix –the Phoenix that all of us Get Your PHX-ers know well.

Amber will tell us about her experiences starting the project, gaining the trust of her neighbors and creating a positive experience for her guests.

Regardless of whether you’ve never had the hostel experience, please drop by and support Amber.