Hitchhiking is a mean of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride to travel a distance that may either be short or long. A ride is usually, but not always, free. Nowadays more and more young people are travelling by hitchhiking. This way of travel has advantages and disadvantages. Today we have a lot of ideas which support hitchhiking.
For a wide group of young people, hitchhiking is a great adventure and also a challenge. Each year hundreds of students from the United Kingdom take part in a sponsored hitch to Morocco or Prague in aid of Link Community Development; in 2007, 782 people hitched the 1,600 miles (2,600 km) to Morocco. In Poland, since 2009, students of Wroclaw University of Economic have been organizing hitchhiking race to the one of European cities. If you are student you can take part in the race. The number of participants has reached 600 and the race started in Wroclaw and finished in Barcelona. In last year, the first prize was a free parachute jumping. People who take part in race think it’s fabulous experience and they want to participate it in next edition.
Another great idea connected with hitchhiking is CouchSurfing. It’s idea which concentrate people who want to help travelers (not only hitchhikers) by offering them a place to sleep in their own houses for free. There is a social networking service and it connects 3 million people from 246 countries and territories. Participants has their own meetings and they are still in touch. All this people are open-minded and they are interested in other cultures and places.
Cities with over 4,000 registered CouchSurfers as of 3 January 2011
20 000 km, 80 days, 16 countries, 2 students, 1 idea.
‘Hitchhiking for freedom’ was a project created by two Polish students which assumed reaching India by land across the Middle East by hitchhiking as the sole mean of transport. They wanted to promote the idea of a widely defined freedom and mutual understanding between our cultures. The entire route of their travel stretched across countries associated with oppression such as Iran and Pakistan. During the travel, they have spent the nights at local people’s homes and have asked hosts how they define freedom and whether they feel oppressed. Now, Paweł and Aleksander after 80 days eventually come back to Poland and they are visiting Polish cities and talking about their journey.
If you want to be a hitchhiker you have to be brave and a little bit crazy. You should be open-minded and withstand bad conditions. It will be good for you to know foreign languages but it’s not necessary. Another important thing is that you need to feel a hunger for discovering the world. Moreover, you should be patient, because sometimes you have to wait really long for a ride and strong because your backpack could be really heavy.
If you don’t have any interesting plans for New Year Eve you can always spend it in another country. It’s not so hard, simply you can join Polish hitchhikers who are organizing New Year Eve in the hotter countries. This year some hitchhikers are going to Montenegro and a few more are going to Turkey. They will meet there together and they will be celebrating the beginning of New Year.
To sum up, I have to admit that it is an unforgettable adventure and of course the cheapest way to travel. Hitchhiking may provide you an extraordinary experiences through getting to know other peoples and make you feel really free! Unfortunately, it also has disadvantages. The main drawback is that it can be really dangerous. You never know who gives you a ride, you don’t know the intentions of the driver. The other issue is it may be inconvenient when you will have to sleep in uncomfortable conditions.
For many hitchhikers those M. Twain’s words are very important: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
1. What do you think about this words?
2. Have you ever travelled by hitchhiking? How do you remember this?
3. What do you think about this way of travelling?
4. Will you offer a ride to hitchhiker if you have a chance to?
Sources:
11.12.2011r.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchhiking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Couchsurfers_by_city.png
13.12.2011
http://userlogos.org/node/5845
http://autostopemkuwolnosci.pl/
14.12.2011
http://thinkexist.com/quotation/twenty_years_from_now_you_will_be_more/215220.html
http://www.filmweb.pl/Wszystko.Za.Zycie/photos#picture-20
http://www.newyearistanbul.net/
1. I couldn't agree more with you. Your presentation is the best for those who still hesitate on hitchhiking. It shows how marvellous "mean of transport" is this.
ReplyDelete2. I have never hitchhiked, but I would like to.
3. In my opinion it's is the best way to travel for free and meet o lot of people and cultures. It's the best for us - students.
4. Only if i travel with somebody I know, because you don't know people you are letting into your car.
1. Well maybe something is in these worlds but I'm trying to go through my life without any regrets.
ReplyDeleteIt's rather for people who can't make their mind.
2. No never, and I doubt that I ever will try it.
3. I don't find it safe enough. And this way of transport is not certain so if you have to go somewhere on time you shouldn't pick that.
4. depends on how that hitch-hiker would look like. Definitely I wouldn't take someone who looks suspicious or is drunk.
1. What do you think about this words?
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. Nice way to spend a little free time in life but it's rather really crazy to do it all along till the way to long time!
2. Have you ever travelled by hitchhiking? How do you remember this?
Yeah i remember once i and my loads of cousins were together in Delhi and we were all just hanging out and later at the end everyone tired wanted to go home. Suddenly a car arrived and they ask for a place. Which was the same place as our home. Those couples were not from the city. They were visiting Delhi. It was fun to travel with them to our home and we got to meet some interesting people and enjoyment and we saved money.
3. What do you think about this way of travelling?
No, It though really depends on what's your destination. Suppose this kind of taxi for the CEO of some company or it's really not approachable even to public transport. Once a while, It's really thrilling this whole damn experience.
4. Will you offer a ride to hitchhiker if you have a chance to?
I am not sure. I need to feel alright. I mean i wouldn't give a ride to those Polish football fans during night and specially the night when there supporting team loss:DD
I have never travelled by hitchhiking but I would like to try. I think that it is a bit dangerous way of travelling but on the other hand can be very interesting and fascinating. But I think that people shouldn't hitchhike alone- always at least two people. Then it is safer.
ReplyDelete2. Have you ever travelled by hitchhiking? How do you remember this?
ReplyDeleteNo but one of my buddy girl named Kasia last whole last summer spend at travelling to Italy, across whole country and way back to Poland only with one more girl. When she was back she told us a lot of funny and fascinating stories from that almost two mounts journey. She was meet many interesting people and improve her language skills. At the moment she move out to Brasil to friend who she meet in Italy…
3. What do you think about this way of travelling?
I just like to have some transport and place for accommodation. This way of travelling is not quite safe so girls shouldn’t travelling alone without any man.
4. Will you offer a ride to hitchhiker if you have a chance to?
I never travelled by hitchhiking, but one time I took some pair to my car. They looks like last hippies on the world. People over 35 years old in middle of summer, for them maybe that was great and funny but for me it’s was not interesting.
I have been travelling by hitchiking from my hometown to polish mountains. It was very nice experience, but I know that travelling 2 hours is not as exciting as travelling through the Europe.
ReplyDeleteIt's cheaper than travelling by car or train, it's also a good way to meet new open-minded people, who like travelling and discovering new places too.
Couchsurfing isn't linked with hitchhiking at all. But it's also a great idea for people who want to know how is to live in different countries and cultures. Last holiday me and my friend were in Kiev and we found accomodation by this portal. It was excellent, because we were sightseeing city with a student who lived there, so he show as the most beautiful and interesting places which are not in guidebooks.
text sounds really appealing to this type of travel.... Unfortunately or fortunately I do not have any such memories because I had never traveled that way.
ReplyDeletefrankly it scares me ... I would not try to either go on this trip .. For me this is too dangerous, unpredictable and downright scary ...
I'd rather not proposed to travel in my car to strangers ... too much nowadays is like murder. I do not believe a stranger .. it scares me ... These are basically the same reasons as those why I do not like to try ...
I think it's a great opportunity for an incredible adventure. I agree that the hitchhiking may be considered for a means of transport, although few people are convinced to hitchhikers.
ReplyDeleteHad never traveled, and I would rather not, because I appreciate comfort.
I'd rather own an old car but because I always take what I want:)
It's an interesting way to save, but not entirely safe.
Of course, I always take my hitchhikers, but selects them.
I have never traveled by Hitchhiking. In the text that was written for this type of travel you must be brave. I feel the same way. I think I have enough confidence to complete strangers to decide on something like this. However, in my opinion it is certainly a way to experience a wonderful adventure when you don't have too much money;)
ReplyDelete1. Yes, it's true. I prefer to be disappointed by the things That I did not do than by the ones I did.
ReplyDelete2.No, I never traveled in this way
3. If you will. I prefer a more standard and convenient means of transport. I prefer not to stay at the mercy of fate.
4. Why not :P
1.It seemed that hitchhiking is a great way to travel. You can also meet a lot new people and have fantastic adventure.
ReplyDelete2. I've never traveled like that.. I have not enough courage for this.
3.In my opinion hitchhiking is a good way to travel without spending lots of money but it isn't always safe. You never know what kind of person is driver but no risk no fun!
4. If only I meet some hitchhiker:)
I've never traveled by hitchhiking, but I think it is a very exciting experience, but also can be dangerous. We never know which person is the driver, so it is safer to travel by hitchhiking with another person. This trip is certainly an unforgettable adventure. This form of travel provides a dose of adrenaline. I would like to hitch-hike, but only with the person who has this experience. This is a high risk take a stranger into the car.
ReplyDeleteThat I think is a very good presentation - really an interesting topic. I never traveled in this way, Because there was just no occasion. Besides, I think That i would be worry on travel in this way Because You never know who you will meet. But I think for someone That it is a good way to travel and of course .. It Is Cheaper Advantages of this kind of travel Is That You can visit many places in a short time and meet interesting people and know new cultures. As for dry Whether offers are popular I have no idea as I said ..
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kinga - it is very interesing presentation ang great idea! I have never been traveled by hitchhiking but I think that it could by very peculiar experience. In my opinion hitchhiking is the best way to see interesing places at the little cost. It is amazing adventure, when we can meet another people and gain experience. I know some people who are trawelling by this way and they are very glad. On the other hands I think that it is quite dangerous. We don't know who will stop and who will offer us giving a lift. This kind of journey is always connected with a risk.However this risk is raising the level of adrenaline and our adventure become more exciting.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I always wanted to go hitchhiking, but I always scared too much.It is very important for me to feel safe, and when I'm thinking about entering a stranger's car - it scared. I always admire people who travel in this way, but but it's not for me. For example, my friend went in this way to Milan to New Year's Eve and she didn't spent any money for fuel. It's a big saving. Maybe if I can traveling with a large group of people - maybe I will not be afraid of travelling by hitchhiking :)
ReplyDelete1. What do you think about this words?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mark Twain. I'm twenty - now I want to travel, meet a new poeple. I can to take to risk. For twenty years probably I will have a family, permament job and crazy ideas like trip around Rome at night (I will be in Rome 9th of January at night :) ) will be for too hazardous. Now, when I'm young it's a adventure!
These words of Mark Twain I publicated on my wall of Facebook :)
2. Have you ever travelled by hitchhiking? How do you remember this?
I had been never traveling by hitchhiking. OK, one time. I have been in Bory Tucholskie on the project with "PROJEKTOR - student volunteering". With my friends I went to the biggest village in the community (to the shop). When we were going back to our place, it started rain. So we asked about travel by hitchhiking. It was my first time and only once.
3. What do you think about this way of travelling?
I would like travel by hitchhiking. Recently, I have talked with my roommate about trip around Europe by hitchhiking. Unfortunately, we haven't a large experience and for us this trip could be hazardous. But it's an interesting and developing thing.
4. Will you offer a ride to hitchhiker if you have a chance to?
I haven't got a car, so for me it would be a problem :) But probably I could offer a ride to hitchhiker.
I have never traveled by hitchhiking, because I have never had to reason for it. When I am travelling it is either too close or too far. I've read once an article saying that Polish drivers don't like taking hitchhikers, the reason was they were afraid that some of them can be dangerous. I don't agree with that opinion, because when people sit on the side of the road, they don't think about harming other people, but travelling.
ReplyDeleteI am planning for this year's holidays travelling to France. I think I will consider hitchhiking.
In my opinion life is to short for meditation about life and distant future. It doesn't means be irrespossible but use your free, young time, which never come back, and do something crazy for example hitchhiking.
ReplyDeleteOne time I was on a couch serfing and I was sleeping in a room which was something like basement. There were a electricity and beds. We wasn't angry of that because we hadn't got strenght for that. Owner was excellent because invited us real home and proposed to get a shower. It was very nice and funny.
It's great idea. I always want to to that. I'm planning a holiday trip with travelling by hitchhiking. I know it can be dangerous, becouse you never know who will stop, but it's unforgettable adventure. The main adventage of hitchhiking is price! You don't have to pay for travelling, so you could spend much for having fun. It's very important when you are a student and don't work and earn money.
ReplyDelete1. It could be great fun and cheap way of traveling.
ReplyDelete2. I have never traveled by hitchhiking. If I decide I won't do it on my own but with friends.
3. It is cheap and easy way of traveling but it can be dangerous. You never know who is the person who is driving.
4. I don't know how would I behave if someone wanted me to take him/her/them somewhere. I would probably give them a lift.
It doesn't matter if I'm only to be gone four days, as in this case; I take six months' supply of reading material everywhere. Anyone who needs further explication of this eccentricity can find it usefully set out in the first pages of W. Somerset Maugham's story "The Book-Bag.
ReplyDeleteFlights to Kathmandu
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2. I never travel by hitchhiking and I don't want to. For me the best way to travel is by my own car.
ReplyDelete3. This way of traveling is cheap and very dangerous. You never know the person who give you ride. That person could be murderer or raper.
4. It's all depends. I could lift someone but that person must be good looking. But in 99% i travel with full car. Every sit is taken so even I want to lift someone I didn;t have place for him or her.
1.3. i think is the best way for cheep travel. You have to have a money only for food and sometimes for camping and shower, and it's all. sometimes you may have a problem to stop any driver, and you have to be a patient. Very big problerm is this, that you dont know who the driver
ReplyDelete2.I never hitchhiked, For me the best method is
travel by car.
4. I would take a hitchhiker only if it will be a woman or a man who does not look suspicious and only when I not travel alone.
I guess I'm too much fearful to travel by hitchhiking. This way of traveling, which certainly brings a lot of adventures, is also very dangerous. How do you know who is the driver? He can be a murderer! It is dangerous to travel alone especially.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't travelled by hichhiking. And I'm not going to do it.
I think Hitchhiking is not useful for a family. Only young guys can enjoy this way of traveling. Detroit Metro Taxi Service is available at Detroit airport and surrounding areas. Detroit airport taxi rates are reliable. You can easily hire our luxury taxi services.
ReplyDelete