The bed thief

Once upon there was a lovely traveller. She took a train trip from London to Edinburgh (quite lovely, thanks) and settled in to her hostel. She started talking with another American chick, and was comfy in her (preferred) lower bunk bed (the ankle is still healing). They chatted, and had several interesting conversational topics.

But that, dear reader, is not the point.

After returning from a lovely Chinese dinner, our traveller and the American chick decide to go to the pub for a drink (or four) and enjoy Saturday Night Edinburgh.

So. The chicks find a pub, buy some drinks and sit by the pool table. Eventually, they end up playing a couple of rather blitzed guys at pool. One, called Nigel, starts chatting up the lovely traveller.

But that, dear reader, is not the point.

At closing time, the two chicks make their way back to the hostel and up the ghastly, seemingly endless, three flights of stairs (courtesy note to readers: these flights are higher/longer than American flights, as the ceiling on each floor is much higher than in most American rooms) and in to their room. They do a quick bed check, before turning on the light, so they don't disturb anyone. This bed check reveals that some Twit has commandeered our lovely traveller's lower bunk (the last available). Now, general hostel etiquette states that if a bag or something of obvious personal ownership is on a bed, that bed is claimed. Lovely traveller left her daypack and journal on the bed. They were unceremoniously moved to the table.

Thankfully, lovely traveller's friend-of-the-night offered to take a top bunk and give lovely traveller her lower bunk. There is a lot to be said for the power of sharing booze with someone.

This morning, Twit wakes up and doesn't even introduce himself (another bit of standard hostel etiquette). Alas, dear reader, the Twit did not take his bag with him, so he will be there another night. Grrrrrrr.

Yes, lovely traveller has much more clearly 'marked' her new bed territory.

Beware of bed thieves!!