Suddenly she asked me let’s do a hitchhiking trip. I want to experience it but first tell me what is it and how we can start?
Table of Contents
What is Hitchhiking?
Hitchhiking is the act of traveling by asking for free rides from passing vehicles. People who do this are called hitchhikers. They typically stand on the side of a road, often with their thumb extended, hoping a driver will stop and offer them a ride.
It’s also about not having a destination and avoid Destinations and pay attention more about the route. Because Life is like a travel itself and destination is death and the only thing we have is these moments that we can live…
According to etymonline.com hitch means moving sled and now vehicle (1921 (n.), 1923 (v.), from hitch (v.), from the notion of hitching a sled, etc. to a moving vehicle (a sense first recorded 1880) + hike (n.)).
Why hitchhiking?
Yes, it is a cheap means of traveling but it is more than that.
Getting out of your comfort zone
When you want to do your first hitchhike, its ok if you feel anxious or scared or stressful, because you are getting our of your comfort zone. It is scary because we are going to face some unknown situation that we may not have control on it. We start experience it and after a while, after passing fear peak, we begin to understand it is not a bug deal and I can interact with people and road and feel my life’s moment better. You become a braver person by facing your unnecessary fears. You feel you are not at home anymore and you should be like water and shape like your environment. That is therapy itself.
Communicate more with people
You get the chance to communicate with other travelers to hear their experience and memories, and also interact with local drivers that you can learn from them about that spot a lot. Nothing is better than experience local atmosphere and live with local people for a while to understand them.
Making new friends
You can make a lot of friends from everywhere and nowhere. You will open up your self easily to spice it up a little. You will understand diversity of perspectives and lifestyles. You have the chance to talk with them a lot and then become friends. Mostly you also be invited to their house or eat with them which is grate.
Feel being stateless and not arriving
Avoiding Destinationism can let us live in a more relaxing way for a while. No matter what will happen, I want to experience it. I want to listen to universe and follow what shows me and what decisions make for me. Let’s live it for a while and go where others go and just focus on the route.
Considering otherness more
According to Jacques Lacan theories, we are not apart from others at all. We are each other and we need to think about it. What part of your self you can see in the driver or other travelers as your mirror? Just listen to it..
Where to start?
It’s always better to start from out side of the city on the side area of a main road. We started from beginning of the road from Tehran to North of Iran which called Haraz Road. its easier for us to get there and people are more friendly as they are going to north of Iran to chill.
When to start?
It is up to you and your situation but it is recommended to do that in day light and when there are moving cars out there.
How to start Hitchhiking?
- Wear colorful cloths and smile
- Stand on the side part of a road
- Do not wear sunglasses, eye contact is important
- Choose a car (not taxi, not the one you feel uncomfortable)
- Bring up your hand with extended thumb
- ** Follow the driver and car even when they pass you for at least 100 meters (They mostly decide when they pass you)
- When they stop, not walk but run toward them with open face.
- Ask about their destination first (don’t tell yours at the first)
- They may know what hitchhike is. Other wise explain to them in short sentences. Then ask them “Can I come with you until wherever it is possible for you?”
- Feel and smell the car, see people in it, decide in a moment and if yes, get into the car
- Now time to build trust. First introduce yourself and get to know them.
- Now talk about your goals of hitchhiking.
- Now all yours. Talk about your memories and experiment and do cultural exchange.
- Done, you made it 😍
Safety Points for Hitchhiking
- Best way is that you be a couple which is easier to trust for both sides. One or two boys is harder to trust for driver. One or two girls is harder for yourself.
- Do that with another experienced hitchhiker for first time if its possible.
- If you are anxious, take a picture of car plate number and send it to your friends
- Keep your location on and send it to your friends
- You can do a fake phone call to your friends and tell them we are ahead or behind you and we will catch up soon.
- Get out of the car whenever you did not want to continue travel with them.
- It’s better to travel in day light with shorter routes.
- Have a defense tool in your packet.
- Pay attention to their behavior and face and words for first minutes.
- If they call other and tell them they picked up a hitchhiker, its not a good sign.
- Learn a bit about “Analyzing Facial Expression” and “Body Language”
In conclusion, it is a special experiment that worth to have at least once. It is somehow a inside journey too that helps you grow more. Consider it as an opportunity and take advantage of that whenever you are ready in a short trip. Also let me know if you wanted to travel with me sometimes