The "glamorous" world of hitch-hiking

Hitching in Poland

The first time I hitch-hiked (or autostop as it is known in Spanish) was in Poland. Correction: the first time I attempted hitch-hiking, was in Poland back in September of last year. It was a really strange experience. My host at the time had recommended I do it to get to Prague and he knew a good spot to do it. Although he wasn't going to travel with me, he "escorted" me to the location and stood by providing moral support - which I definitely needed. In certain parts of Europe, hitching is a viable mode of transportation. It is somewhat romanticized among the backpackers and I figured since I was backpacking in Europe I should try it. However, in my memory, I had a very different stigma about hitch-hiking. Growing up in Southern California, I don't recall seeing what I would have classified as "backpackers" trying to hitch a ride. What I remember is middle aged men sitting at freeway on-ramps looking disheveled and stinky.  Surely I've seen younger cleaner versions, but those don't stick out in my mind.  Perhaps it's because they always got picked up quickly before I saw them?

Regardless, my first hitching experience was a tough one. I stood out there for nearly two hours without a single offer. Discouraged but still upbeat, I ran back to the train station to catch the last train of the day that would have gotten me all the way to Prague without missing the connecting train at the border, leaving me stranded in the middle of nowhere. The day was not a complete failure because for I learned a lot. I learned what it felt like to be on that end of the hitching sign, and it wasn't as easy as I thought. Since then, I have hitched a number of times in various countries, and each has been a great experience.


Hitching is a simple enough act, you stand there, you stick out your thumb, and perhaps even have a sign saying where you are headed. In practice though, there is a lot more at play. Here is my romanticized version:


1) It forces you to humble yourself, to swallow your pride. It is asking for help from a complete stranger, without offering anything in return. It reminds us that very little is actually accomplished alone and that with the help of others, the journey is much easier.


2) It provides a chance for people to be kind. Not everyone goes out seeking to do good, but when presented with an opportunity that requires little effort, it opens the door for people that might not actually be looking for it.


3) It creates opportunity for human interaction and thought. It is all too easy to drive along and ignore everything around you, but when you see someone on the side of the road, you always look. Some people smile, some people give a thumbs up, others pretend they don't see you and still others stop and offer you a ride.


4) It forces people to face fears and believe in the goodness of humans. The driver trusts that the hitcher is a good person just looking for a ride, and the hitcher trusts that the driver is a good person offering a ride.


5) It gives plenty of practice in dealing with rejection. I love this because people are so often afraid of rejection that they will do everything in their power to avoid it. With hitch-hiking, there is no avoiding rejection. How you deal with rejection tells a lot about a person. Do you get discouraged and quit, or do you keep your chin up and keep going, smiling all the way?


6) It forces people to face their fears (are they going to rob me?) and take a calculated risk. I love facing fears! :D


For me, hitch-hiking is not about the money, it's about the adventure and the experience. I've had short rides, I've had long rides. I've waited for hours, and I've been picked up in minutes. I've had drivers that offered me a place to stay in their small town, and people that have gone out of their way to take me to where I was going. One memorable experience was a woman that got dropped off by her husband, came up to me and said to me "Do you need money? I drove by an hour ago on the bus and you are still here. If you need a place to stay tonight, you call us." Each experience shows me the goodness in others.


I am not trying to glamorize hitch-hiking (OK, maybe a little), nor am I saying everyone should rush out to their nearest street corner and stick their thumb out. In many places around the world, hitching will forever have a certain stigma, but I have seen the light, and will now look at hitch-hiking in a different light. Perhaps you too may think differently about the next person you see showing their sexy thumb to the world. But remember, always be safe and trust your gut! Happy Hitching! ;)

Hitching in Spain