Hitchhiking: a hobby for restlessness

Hitchhiking is a popular way of traveling and active hobby. It appeared almost simultaneously withthe appearance of cars, but at first had a spontaneous nature. Significant role in the development of hitchhiking played subcultures beatnikov and hippies. In our time, hitchhiking is a fairly organized movement, known throughout the world. Hitchhikers have their clubs, schools and even their slang.

Hitchhiking is a free ride on a passing vehicle with the consent of the driver. Initially, hitchhiking was impliedtraveling on associated motor vehicles (cars, trucks, buses and other land-based non-rail vehicles). But over time, hitchhiking mastered rail, water and air transport.

But regardless of the mode of transport, one of the main principles of hitchhiking remains unchanged: a hitch travels with the permission of the driver (conductor, driver) and does not pay money for bringing him. But what happens if a driver who agrees to bring a hitchhiker?

Hitchhiking is always based on mutual benefit (although it may not be realized by all participants). What gets a hitch - think, understandable. A driver receives communication from him. This is especially appreciated by truck drivers, tired of a monotonous long route and trying not to fall asleep.

So if you decide to hitchhike, prepare to communicate. Get in the car and all the way silently look out the window - behavior unworthy of this hitchhiker. Informality and trust are two important principleshitchhiking. If the driver let you into the car, be prepared for informal communication and do not deceive the trust of the one who actually let you into his personal space.

To make your trip hitchhiking as safely as possible, you need to prepare for it in advance. Hitchhiking can not be called an absolutely safe or extremely dangerous type of travel. If you have a head on your shoulders and you are prepared in advance for the journey, nothing will happen to you.

The most important danger that lies in wait for a hitch-hiker is an accident. Therefore, a hitchhiker should be seen from afar - it's trite so that the inattentive driver does not knock him down. Preferably wear clothes bright, evenacid colors. And if you plan to travel on the night route, it is desirable to acquire a special suit with reflective elements, or at least attach reflective strips (flickers) and / or retroreflectors (cataphores) to clothes and a backpack.

By the way, Backpack is one of the main distinguishing features of any hitchhiker, without a backpack on the road anywhere. Its volume and type will depend on what distance you plan to cover and how you are going to move about. Be sure to take a change of clothes and shoes, warm clothes (the weather is unpredictable), a supply of food and water. If you are afraid that along the way you will have to spend the night outdoors, grab a tent, sleeping bag and karemat (foam).

Usually hitchhiking is slowing the passing car a traditional gesture - a fist clenched with a thumb up. Such a gesture indicates that you arestop, and do not slow down the ride for money. But still, sitting in the car, it is worth to clarify whether the driver is going to lead you for free: in our country, unlike the West, not everyone is familiar with the intricacies of hitchhiking.

When going on a hitch-hike trip for the first time, it is advisable not to do it alone - it's better to take with you a couple of sociable and uninhibited friends. It's safer and more fun, and talking withthe driver will be easier to support. Especially it concerns girls: it is desirable that in your company nevertheless there was a guy. But too big company to go too it is not necessary: ​​not every driver agrees to take you.

To ensure that your trip hitchhiking ended successfully, do not get into suspicious cars. If a stopped car or its drivercauses suspicion - it's better to wait a little longer on the road. And remember that the main thing for a hitch-hiker is a good mood and a positive attitude, then a hitchhiking trip will surely be successful and memorable!