Petrus Spronk
A few notes on the art of hitch-hiking…
Watching a Japanese movie was the inspiration, not that I travelled, but how I travelled. The movie featured a monk walking in a landscape. He was carrying a stick with a bundle tied at the end of it. A light traveller. When the monk came to a point where he had to make a decision, he took the bundle off the stick, tossed the stick into the air and continued his journey and followed it in the direction it was pointing when it fell back to earth.
If you don’t know where you are going it doesn’t matter how you get there.
At the time I travelled, nearly everyone on the road carried a copy of Tom Robbin’s (recently deceased) best selling novel “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues”.
Which reminds me how you always were able to find a book to read from other travellers who had had a book in their back pack. Since you never had much choice you would receive the most interesting and surprising reads.
At that time (around the sixties/seventies) it wasn’t unusual to see people on the road with their thumb out, which was the international language for “ I would like ride. This was a much more practiced as a method of travel in Europe than here in Australia. Any idea why this would be so?
Hitch-hiking is random and unexpected. If you can handle the many changes which present themselves at a moment’s notice, it should be a breeze.
First and foremost, hitch-hike not only with the idea of accepting a ride, but also with the idea of having something to offer. A good story, a kind ear for the driver’s potential stories and an understanding what is needed – to be quiet and listen or to be talkative. A good hitch hiker needs to be a good observer. On many levels.
Don’t be negative, and even if you feel tired. Present a positive spirit. Once you have accepted a ride, don’t bitch about how long you had to stand on the side of road (which was your own choice). Be open minded and do not hassle the driver with your bad news. Remember that you are a guest – behave as such. Show your interest in the driver. Find out what their interests are. (This is usually revealed in the first five minutes.) Ask them questions in relation to this. Everyone feels good talking about their interests.
If you have doubts about any aspects of hitching, imagine yourself as the driver.
You need endurance. It is therefore important to have a reserve of energy with standing there for hours with your thumb out and, at the same time, present an energetic image. Even if you are bored, don’t look it. People who look boring are boring people. Who wants a bore in their car? Hitch-hiking can involve long waits. Practicing a little Zen is good. A “Be here now” attitude is good. Keep reminding yourself “that this very moment is alright”. Hitching is a test and a challenge to many aspects of your being. While standing on the side of the road, you are in a great space to learn. Observe. Watch yourself and watch the world around you. While in Ireland I bought an Irish whistle and after a few years on the road I got pretty good at it. Practice the whistle. When a car arrives you can easily slip your whistle into your backpack.
Walking along the road while attempting to hitch-hike is stupid. You have your back to the traffic, the drivers cannot see your face and, in the end, the driver who intends to pick hitchers up will pick you up anywhere anyway. Facing the traffic, showing who you are and what you want, is somehow more honest and, I think, is more often rewarded. (I don’t know why I am writing this down.)
I hitch-hiked for a variety of reasons. For a start it is an adventurous way to travel. The pay-off for this was that you had to let go of expectations and accept whatever comes along. You may think that you know where you are going, but you have no idea how you will get there. And that is the fun part.
In addition, you learn to travel without plans and you learn patience. (And the reward of practicing patience, is patience.) It is cheap and if you are not in a hurry and do not need to be anywhere at a certain time, a great way to travel. Quite often, especially when you have established a good relationship with the driver you get to see some things you will never ever see on the bus or train.
Because it is rarely being practiced today, the art of hitch-hiking is slowly being forgotten. This is a pity because it is a wonderful way to travel.
And please remember that Benoit, the magic clarinet player, and myself will be giving a repeat performance of “Acceptance is the doorway to freedom” at the Castlemaine Fringe Festival on Saturday April 5th at 4pm. We hope to be greeted by a full house with a standing ovation!
Petrus Spronk is a local author and artist who writes a monthly column for The Wombat Post.
