Putovati po Evropi

Hitchhiking is the cheapest and probably most interesting way of traveling. Of course, not everyone will find it fun, for sure it's not comfortable or safe, but if you're looking for unforgettable moments and genuine adventure, maybe you should try it.

You need to remember to be very flexible; don't wait for a Mercedes to pick you up and drive directly to your destination ;) Sometimes maybe it's even better to change plans completely and go somewhere else - if you're traveling just for fun, what's the difference where you end up? If you have a chance to meet nice people, spend time in some interesting place or go for some local party, why not to try? I have a friend who wanted to go for short holidays from Poland to Czech Republic and on the way there met some couple who were going to Croatia. Not thinking too much, she went there with them, spent some days on their yacht and then traveled around Balkans with some other people, everything for free.

My experience as a hitchhiker isn't very big, although I did see quite a bit of Europe like this. The reason I was choosing this kind of transport was usually just a need to experience something different from a typical method of visiting other countries: arriving, taking pictures of every monument, eating out, sleeping in a hostel, going home and forgetting everything after couple of weeks.

Hitchhiking gave me a unique opportunity to feel totally free. Maybe it sounds silly but... well, it did. I love it when I don't have to worry about being late for a bus or a train being too expensive. Sometimes, me and my friends didn't even bother to look for rooms in the places where we landed in - with our sleeping bags we could just find any quiet place in a park, forest or even near a parking in a town center and pray for a nice weather :) We went for some 2 weeks to Finland and we didn't want to carry tents on our backs. When you're going to spend so much time who-knows-where you have to be prepared for everything: often you have to walk a lot, so you'd better make your backpack as small and light as possible. Also no one will like to take you to their car if you have so many bags that they don't see you behind it.

 (rani doručak u 5 ujutru)

I always hitchhike in groups, usually pairs - that's much safer, especially for a girl. It's a little more difficult to catch someone if there are two of you, but this is a rule I will probably never break. For me it's enough to get into a stranger's car not knowing if he/she is a good driver, or crazy, drunk or something like this, but if I am to do it alone - thank you, I prefer not to risk that much. Anyway I did meet drivers so strange that I don't know how I would cope with them if I was alone.

Usually you meet really nice people. When you're abroad, there's a big chance they will not know your language nor English, especially if they're older and from rural areas. Don't worry, there's always a way to explain them that you want to get a lift - using your hands properly and showing the map will do. It helps if you know at least couple of simple words in the language: when you try to use them, they start liking you and are willing to help you more, even though you probably sound funny :) Some of the drivers are so kind they offer you some drinks (be careful with that), invite you for lunch or change their route in order to drive you further. If they speak a language you know, you're probably going to spend some nice time in their car, getting to know them, their family, culture, history of the place or whatever you wish to talk about.

 (Treba se snalaziti za prenoćište)

The most important rule is not to get into a car if you have any bad feelings about it. If the driver in any way seems suspicious to you, better say 'thank you' and wait for another occasion. Well, I cannot say I have never done completely opposite...

 (Zbog ovakvih trenutaka se isplati stopirati)

Drugi deo priče ću objaviti sutra.