The very concept of hitchhiking originated in the USA.But now in America it is not so popular because of strict laws: tourists traveling from one point of the country to another by hitchhiking can be arrested for vagrancy. But in Russia this type of travel is becoming more and more popular every year, especially among young people. Hitchhiking is ideal for those who are limited in money or simply cannot live without thrills. It is a great chance to see your country, and maybe even some foreign countries, for example, European ones. But there is one reason that stops many from giving preference to hitchhiking, headwind and communication with unfamiliar and interesting people. And this reason is doubt that hitchhiking is safe. Of course, on the one hand, these doubts are quite justified, because we have all heard bloody stories in which people traveling by hitchhiking are taken to a dark forest, killed, robbed, etc. But still, these are more myths than reality. On the road, all sorts of unexpected and sometimes dangerous incidents happen, but if you or your fellow traveler (it’s better if it’s a man) can stand up for yourself, have good enough physical fitness and the skills to communicate intelligently with all sorts of people, you have nothing to fear. Just don’t lose your vigilance and, just in case, buy a gas canister, which will be your guarantor of safety while hitchhiking. In addition to the gas canister, ideally you will need:
- penknife;
- tent and sleeping bags in case you have to spend the night in the forest or in the field;
- antibiotics and aspirin, disinfectant, bandages;
- road map;
- compass;
- a set of spare clothes;
- matches;
- a minimum set of necessary products (stew, crackers, tea) and a water supply.
Hitchhiking is more on one sidesafe for young people. But on the other hand, a young man with a girl has a much better chance of catching a ride. It is best to start such a practice by moving around your own region: try to get from one point to another in the shortest possible time. If everything goes well, and you understand that such adventures are just for you, you can try hitchhiking in Russia. At first, you can choose two settlements that are not so far from each other. Then you can start moving longer distances, and thus get a chance to see almost the entire great and vast country. During a hitchhiking trip in Russia, you will understand that, contrary to popular belief, there are many more kind and sympathetic people in our country who are always ready to help their neighbors than bandits, robbers, etc. Those who understand that their own country is no longer enough for them can try their hand at conquering foreign countries. This type of tourism will allow you to study countries from the inside and really get to know the mentality of local residents and their habits. Traveling around Europe by hitchhiking has its own peculiarities: you will need a little more money and basic knowledge of at least one European language. In conclusion, I would like to give some advice to those who are just going to try this type of tourism. The concept of "hitchhiking" is not always synonymous with the concept of "free". Many seasoned travelers believe that a small reward to a person who has given you a ride over a sufficiently long distance is not an obligation, but a tribute to politeness. And remember that many hitchhiking tourists are sure that it is much better to spend the night in a field under the open sky than in the driver's cabin.
