The owner
A young man in worn-out sandals. On his old t-shirt it says “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. His office is a small, messy place with papers lying around everywhere. The reservations are written with a pencil into a small notebook. Extremely relaxed. Gives every visitor a tour around the house. “Feel free to use whatever you want. This is your home”
The business man
50year-old man traveling the country making beer arrangements for huge sports events. He is sitting in the garden with his computer, calling people, negotiating prices. He looks as relaxed and trashy as everyone. “Getting divorced was the worst thing I ever did… Cost me a fortune. I’m really very structured in everything I do. Just not… You know… my life!”
The stoner
A thirty something year-old guy sitting in the living room most of the day watching tv. He’s wearing a baseball cap and could need a shave. Really nice and friendly, though. I ask him if he is staying long at the hostel. “Oh, – too long… But you know… were having a good time here”
The neighbor girl
A smiley, black student of “international training” at the University of Washington. She does not drink alcohol, but is much into vegetarian food and x-files. “Tahoma is really a hippie neighborhood. No Starbucks here – our coffee store is fair trade and organic.”