Hitch-hiking is a special travelling philosophy, built on love for freedom, positive thoughts and healthy passion. There is no specific behaviour towards those who are hitch-hiking: some consider them odd fellows, others rank them as “ordinary cheapskates”, and some might believe that they are careless hooligans. Actually they are harmless people, nimble and knowing the sense in “the romance of the big road”.

There is a lot of myths about hitch-hiking, the most “long-playing” and ridiculous among which are next: First of all, everybody consider hitch-hiking as a tour-trip for the poor, who choose it because of their poor economic state. However, this is a big mistake: hitch-hiking travelling is truly more convenient than the tour-permit, though it is still not its biggest advantage. There are a lot of men of means among hitch-hikers who can afford them the sumptuousness of an expensive health-resort and spa suit in Bali. The hitch is that they don’t need the five star ease, but the possibility to escape from place and time and be “wherever whenever”.

In the second place, everybody is convinced that by “voting” on the road you certainly will fall into the arms of a maniac. Of course this type of travelling isn’t totally safe, but overestimating its danger is worthless. Otherwise hitch-hiking wouldn’t be so popular all around the world.

Beginners should familiarize themselves with the skilled hitch-hikers’ code of laws.

1. There is no need to pack things in bulky suitcases. It’s necessary to pick a compact and comfy bag, better a backpack. In the trip you will need only articles of prime necessity (there’ll be no opportunity to take advantage of other things) – minimum of clothes (including warm ones), the first-aid set, a grocery ration (the best variant – products of fast cooking), a tent, a highway map and money

2. It’s better to make out visas for the term up to two-three months for staying in a country, for you never know how long this trip is going to last and what countries borders you will have to cross.

If you want to go to Europe, it is necessary to make out the external passport and receive the Schengen visa if needed; after all you’ll never guess, what ways and through what countries you’ll pass before you’ll reach your destination. Many experienced hitch-hikers notice that Europe people are polite, very benevolent and always ready to help.

3. The hitch-hikers (also called “stoppers”) have their own dress-code .The clothing in which you plan to stop cars should be bright and noticeable from distance.

4. The correct position on the road is one of success primary factors. First of all, it is necessary to be organized so that it will be easy to distinguish you against a landscape and convenient to stop the car. Try to choose sites, where the cars reduce speed-near the turns, crossroads, outcomes and traffic police posts. Do not “vote” at railway crossings, on lift’s and descents.

5. After the position was chosen, start “voting”. The hitch-hikers’ universal gesture is extended hand, clamped into a fist with the big finger bulged upwards. It is not necessary to fade in a barrier pose, waiting for a compassionate driver; much better is to signal the hand vigorously

6. “The voting” must be addressed to somebody in specific, that’s why it is necessary to choose one (it is desirable – a big lorry) and try to stop it, friendly and cheerfully smiling to the driver. The key word is “cheerfully”, after all, very few people will want to spend a couple of hours in the companies with a sad, annoying fellow traveller.

7. No matter what happens it is necessary to talk to the driver and make jokes, telling the latest news from your country. All Europeans understand and speak English, even in a slightest degree, that’s why it won’t be difficult to find a discussion theme. However it also won’t be excessive to keep a phrase book and learn some standard phrases, without which it is impossible to build a discussion.

8. As hitch-hiking travelling does not include hotel room reservation, it is natural to ask about the place of night spending. Usually hitch-hikers take tents with themselves, and spent the night in some picturesque forest on the roadside; in the city most reasonable would be to stop in a youth hotel: the conditions are tolerable, about 7-10 dollars for a night – are the prices.

Iuri Tarabanov writes about interesting travel experiences. His Travel Deals site is http://www.travelime.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Iuri_Tarabanov

Interesting, but not for me when I can obtain the benefits of Club Freedom membership.

Posted on September 9th, 2007 by John
Filed under: Vacation Tips