I know it sounds strange, especially these days, but I've been hitchhiking across America. I like the older world feel it gives me, traveling in a way that trusts strangers for a ride in their automobile. Makes me feel like I'm time traveling back when there wasn't as much technology, for some reason.
Isn't hitchhiking unsafe nowadays?
It can be.. all you're doing is standing by the road and using hand signals to flag down drivers in order to ask for a free ride. So, you never know who you'll interact with. But for some people, that mode of transportation is all that's available to them.
That is true. I'm sure there has to be a better way though. I mean you have to deal with cars and people but also the weather.
You may have a point.. but because of its rich history.. how common it's been throughout time, and how prevalent it is across the world and how often it's practiced, very few places have laws in place to restrict or prevent it. They see it as unpreventable, in a way. So, it will always be around.
I'm sure those who hitchhike have a good reason too. Hopefully there aren't many cases where they are harmed for doing so.
I'm with you. On a lighter note, it's fascinating to see the different styles of hitchhiking signage throughout culture. Like, obviously you could just have a written sign, right? But with hand gestures, in North America/UK/a lot of Europe, they just extend the arm toward the road and stick the thumb of the outstretched hand upward. But in some AFrican countries, the hand is held still and they just face their palm up. Australia has it where they just point their index finger at the road. Fascinating.
Oh yeah that is really different. I guess I thought it was always unsafe to try and pick up a hitchhiker and I mean the media doesn't help any with their movies.