Hey guys, so I'm about to head out on my very first trip. I got to thinking about why I'm wanting to do this and live this lifestyle a few days ago. I think I'm just trying to show the people in my life including my family that I can be happy without living the normal "American Dream" sorta life.
Anywho...What got you to hitchhike?
What inspired you??
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What inspired you??
by prozakk » January 9th, 2012, 1:50 am
- prozakk
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My Impetus
by Bohemian_Cur » January 9th, 2012, 11:37 am
Stoic texts and natural wanderlust, ha ha ha.
Sauve qui peut.
May he save himself who can.
May he save himself who can.
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Bohemian_Cur - Posts: 31
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by WildWill » January 9th, 2012, 1:50 pm
To be honest, I'm not too sure! I had a destination, and I wasn't prepared to waste another 4 days of my life sitting on a bus. I also wanted a challenge, and I wanted to meet the locals.
I can look back on before that moment, and see situations where hitching would have been perfect, but it didn't occur to me as an option.
Now - Its the people that inspire me to hitchhike. It seems to be a way of skimming the very best of humanity out from the rest. Not to mention the freedom of getting up and going where ever you like, pretty much as you like. I am inspired by how the entire world has opened up to me with this almost 'ultimate' form of transport!
Come to think of it (and it's very cliche), but perhaps it was Chris McCandless that steered me in this direction.
Another somewhat related topic can be found here: http://www.digihitch.com/ftopict-11533- ... +hitchhike
Cheers!
Will
I can look back on before that moment, and see situations where hitching would have been perfect, but it didn't occur to me as an option.
Now - Its the people that inspire me to hitchhike. It seems to be a way of skimming the very best of humanity out from the rest. Not to mention the freedom of getting up and going where ever you like, pretty much as you like. I am inspired by how the entire world has opened up to me with this almost 'ultimate' form of transport!
Come to think of it (and it's very cliche), but perhaps it was Chris McCandless that steered me in this direction.
Another somewhat related topic can be found here: http://www.digihitch.com/ftopict-11533- ... +hitchhike
Cheers!
Will
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WildWill - Posts: 225
- Joined: November 29th, 2011, 3:00 am
by lonelywander » January 9th, 2012, 9:38 pm
[quote:9835afb12a]Now - Its the people that inspire me to hitchhike. It seems to be a way of skimming the very best of humanity out from the rest.[/quote:9835afb12a]
Absolutely... I have met the most diverse swath of Americana while hitchhiking, as well as some mighty fine Mehikanos while hitchin' down in Mehiko, and they have ALL had big hearts, infinite stories to tell, and often, went out of their way to offer not only rides, but showers, food, smoke, places to sleep - all for some wayward, traveling strangers.
Wow! It still boggles my mind, the ability to meet those who are not ruled by fear, prejudice, or simple excuses, and every ride that I have gotten has taught me something about life, as well as myself.
In addition to the wonderful people I have met, this lifestyle allows me to realize how strong I can be, how brave, resourceful, and even (occasionally) wary and trusting my gut instincts, I have the ability to be. Out on the Road, I can be anything I want to be (although, indeed, it does come back to the fact that I'm just another 'wandering vagabond'); but mostly, the overwhelmingly sensation of my identity when traveling is an overwhelming sense of Openness, to whatever opportunities shall arise, whatever adventures shall be directed my way, and whatever strange and unexpected 'dancing lessons from God' are manifested from the ether of existence. Attempting to live within society is near-about impossible for me now, for a variety of reasons, and I spend the entirety of days agonizing about my inability to find work, inability to pay for a place to stay for myself, just getting mired into a general malaise of depression, due to constantly comparing myself with those whom I cannot be. Perhaps I am inspired to travel because it IS an act of 'running away' from the failures of my life, but it is also embracing everything that CAN be, of choosing my own happiness, learning a variety of lessons and skills, and things of that general nature.
Christopher McCandless... I love that movie, and I hate that movie... It inspired me in a way nothing else has, but also caused me to (subconsciously or not) annihilate any and all hopes that I can live a 'normal' life, ever again.. But yes, beautiful, beautiful movie, beautiful, beautiful message...
Namaste, Blessed Be,
~ melissA
Absolutely... I have met the most diverse swath of Americana while hitchhiking, as well as some mighty fine Mehikanos while hitchin' down in Mehiko, and they have ALL had big hearts, infinite stories to tell, and often, went out of their way to offer not only rides, but showers, food, smoke, places to sleep - all for some wayward, traveling strangers.
Wow! It still boggles my mind, the ability to meet those who are not ruled by fear, prejudice, or simple excuses, and every ride that I have gotten has taught me something about life, as well as myself.
In addition to the wonderful people I have met, this lifestyle allows me to realize how strong I can be, how brave, resourceful, and even (occasionally) wary and trusting my gut instincts, I have the ability to be. Out on the Road, I can be anything I want to be (although, indeed, it does come back to the fact that I'm just another 'wandering vagabond'); but mostly, the overwhelmingly sensation of my identity when traveling is an overwhelming sense of Openness, to whatever opportunities shall arise, whatever adventures shall be directed my way, and whatever strange and unexpected 'dancing lessons from God' are manifested from the ether of existence. Attempting to live within society is near-about impossible for me now, for a variety of reasons, and I spend the entirety of days agonizing about my inability to find work, inability to pay for a place to stay for myself, just getting mired into a general malaise of depression, due to constantly comparing myself with those whom I cannot be. Perhaps I am inspired to travel because it IS an act of 'running away' from the failures of my life, but it is also embracing everything that CAN be, of choosing my own happiness, learning a variety of lessons and skills, and things of that general nature.
Christopher McCandless... I love that movie, and I hate that movie... It inspired me in a way nothing else has, but also caused me to (subconsciously or not) annihilate any and all hopes that I can live a 'normal' life, ever again.. But yes, beautiful, beautiful movie, beautiful, beautiful message...
Namaste, Blessed Be,
~ melissA
- lonelywander
- Posts: 59
- Joined: April 28th, 2005, 2:00 am
by Wandering_soul » January 10th, 2012, 4:59 pm
It's hard to say, there are several factors I guess.
Part of it is my background. I have always been outdoors, either playing as a kid or working as an adult.
I had an education teaching me how to be an outdoor sports instructor as well, doing various things like climbing, rafting, hiking etc.
So in a way it's a natural extension as I always feel the need to head in a more extreme direction.
And ofcourse, the idea of travel has always appealed to me greatly.
Another part at play is the fact that I'm unsatisfied with the image of what people expect me to do or be.
I've finished school about a year ago and I've been working to save up money for a long trip, and people simply expect me to pick up a steady job for the years to come. And somehow, while everybody does just that, I can't accept it.
People value all kinds of things that I care little about: regularity, monthly paycheck and financial security, have a job (because it is expected of you), have a house etc.
I dont mind working though most of the jobs I can get at the moment all suck, I've always been a hard worker. But it feels so final. I cant bear the thought of taking up a job and settling down already.
All my life I have been settled down, and now I have a chance to get out and be free, to do the things I want to do. I can't stand the idea of passing up that opportunity and simply settle down again.
All my life people have made me do things, go to school, take up a job, and i'm sick of it.
I want time to do what I want in life instead of just continueing on the way I've spent my life so far.
But inspiration to hitchhike, at the risk of being cliché, comes from Chris McCandless.
As I've said I have always been outdoor and doing stuff like hiking etc. and I love it. Camping etc. is something I have been doing quite a bit so far.
But the concept of hitchhiking is pretty much dead in Holland.
In all my life I have never seen a hitchhiker on the side of the road, nobody ever talks about it, and so it never came to my mind to do something similar untill I saw Into the Wild.
The message spoke to me and confirmed to me that I was not alone in my feelings. And so I got the book, and I did my research in to man behind the story, and something just connected. It inspired me.
Looking at his life, it sure wasnt perfect. But I want some of that.
Reading through the book by Krakauer I also picked up on the story of Everett Ruess, and this also became a big inspiration to me.
How he experienced the world around him was extraordinary and reading his words opened my eyes to the world.
As I mature I start to look around me with a new pair of eyes, and I've learned to see the beauty in all things.
Looking at images from distant places my heart starts to race, as my mind imagines me there, walking on the side of the road to God knows where.
It's come to such a point where everything I see has that effect on me: a picture, a movie, a song.
My natural interest in traveling is strenghtened by my fantasies.
But what appeals to me about these two people the most is that their experiences of life were unlike my own or that of any I know, but they seemed so happy, and free, and careless.
I can't remember the last time I actually felt happy and careless, other than when I was a child. And in my gut I know I can't find it here by getting a steady job. I need to get out.
Part of it is my background. I have always been outdoors, either playing as a kid or working as an adult.
I had an education teaching me how to be an outdoor sports instructor as well, doing various things like climbing, rafting, hiking etc.
So in a way it's a natural extension as I always feel the need to head in a more extreme direction.
And ofcourse, the idea of travel has always appealed to me greatly.
Another part at play is the fact that I'm unsatisfied with the image of what people expect me to do or be.
I've finished school about a year ago and I've been working to save up money for a long trip, and people simply expect me to pick up a steady job for the years to come. And somehow, while everybody does just that, I can't accept it.
People value all kinds of things that I care little about: regularity, monthly paycheck and financial security, have a job (because it is expected of you), have a house etc.
I dont mind working though most of the jobs I can get at the moment all suck, I've always been a hard worker. But it feels so final. I cant bear the thought of taking up a job and settling down already.
All my life I have been settled down, and now I have a chance to get out and be free, to do the things I want to do. I can't stand the idea of passing up that opportunity and simply settle down again.
All my life people have made me do things, go to school, take up a job, and i'm sick of it.
I want time to do what I want in life instead of just continueing on the way I've spent my life so far.
But inspiration to hitchhike, at the risk of being cliché, comes from Chris McCandless.
As I've said I have always been outdoor and doing stuff like hiking etc. and I love it. Camping etc. is something I have been doing quite a bit so far.
But the concept of hitchhiking is pretty much dead in Holland.
In all my life I have never seen a hitchhiker on the side of the road, nobody ever talks about it, and so it never came to my mind to do something similar untill I saw Into the Wild.
The message spoke to me and confirmed to me that I was not alone in my feelings. And so I got the book, and I did my research in to man behind the story, and something just connected. It inspired me.
Looking at his life, it sure wasnt perfect. But I want some of that.
Reading through the book by Krakauer I also picked up on the story of Everett Ruess, and this also became a big inspiration to me.
How he experienced the world around him was extraordinary and reading his words opened my eyes to the world.
As I mature I start to look around me with a new pair of eyes, and I've learned to see the beauty in all things.
Looking at images from distant places my heart starts to race, as my mind imagines me there, walking on the side of the road to God knows where.
It's come to such a point where everything I see has that effect on me: a picture, a movie, a song.
My natural interest in traveling is strenghtened by my fantasies.
But what appeals to me about these two people the most is that their experiences of life were unlike my own or that of any I know, but they seemed so happy, and free, and careless.
I can't remember the last time I actually felt happy and careless, other than when I was a child. And in my gut I know I can't find it here by getting a steady job. I need to get out.
-
Wandering_soul - Posts: 122
- Joined: September 23rd, 2011, 2:00 am
by Scrappy » January 10th, 2012, 8:27 pm
I wonder if you are trying to show the people in your life, your family, or if it's really you yourself who you really want to show that you can be happy. That's definitely my inspiration for me. I started hitching 45 years ago before Chris McCandless was even a thought in his daddy's mind. It was a stranger I met who was just a cool guy passing through, who asked me if I wanted to hitch to Crater Lake, Oregon with him just to see it. Once I was gone, I was really gone and I never wanted to look back; only forward from then on. The very next year after surviving the war in Vietnam in the Marines, I couldn't wait to get back onto the road. I hitched in the Nam and in uniform home on leave afterwards, and after I got out of the service, hitched steadily for some 13 straight, (bad choice of word there), years on the outskirts of society, knowing that I just didn't want to handle the mainstream of anything other than the road. Freedom called me and wouldn't let me go. I embraced it rather than fought it, and love it still. I'll be 63 in a month and a half, if I live that long, but long is no more the point. Quality instead of quantity has and is ruling me and as long as I can be happy with my life and lifestyle, who else's opinion is more important? Okay, Jesus' opinion is more so, but next to him it's me who's running my show and the rest of the whole world can kiss my grits. I'm going to be happy even if it kills me, and if it doesn't, then I'll be even happier.
- Scrappy
- Posts: 413
- Joined: September 17th, 2007, 2:00 am
Thank you
by Gray » January 29th, 2012, 1:01 am
[quote:18b6983e25="Scrappy"]. Quality instead of quantity... [/quote:18b6983e25]
I very much enjoy your view on life Scrappy. Quality instead of quantity is a beautiful way of looking at it. That's how I feel. I don't care how long I live, as long as it was fulfilling, worth while, and memorable.
I also can relate very much to Wandering_Soul. I want to live significantly before I settle down. I do actually want to have a job and live somewhere I enjoy in my future. I would love to live my life as an artist and writer, continuously being inspired by people and personal experiences.
When it comes to traveling, I've been inspired very deeply by Christopher McCandless and I respect and admire him a lot.
He was my primary inspiration. My secondary inspiration came from all of you Digihitch users. I read your stories, your forum posts, your planned travels, and It just makes me want to be out there even more than I could have ever imagined.
I'm ready to live a free life like many of you have experienced. There is so much I want to see and so many people I'm hoping to meet along the way.
I thank all of you for further inspiring me.
I hope all your future and current travels are blissful and amazing.
Mishou
I very much enjoy your view on life Scrappy. Quality instead of quantity is a beautiful way of looking at it. That's how I feel. I don't care how long I live, as long as it was fulfilling, worth while, and memorable.
I also can relate very much to Wandering_Soul. I want to live significantly before I settle down. I do actually want to have a job and live somewhere I enjoy in my future. I would love to live my life as an artist and writer, continuously being inspired by people and personal experiences.
When it comes to traveling, I've been inspired very deeply by Christopher McCandless and I respect and admire him a lot.
He was my primary inspiration. My secondary inspiration came from all of you Digihitch users. I read your stories, your forum posts, your planned travels, and It just makes me want to be out there even more than I could have ever imagined.
I'm ready to live a free life like many of you have experienced. There is so much I want to see and so many people I'm hoping to meet along the way.
I thank all of you for further inspiring me.
I hope all your future and current travels are blissful and amazing.
Mishou
- Gray
- Posts: 20
- Joined: January 6th, 2012, 3:00 am
by smartmouth » January 29th, 2012, 2:15 pm
hard to pin point exactly in all the inspired years... conscience? reality as a matter of judgement? expressing values? challenge? I don't believe it's a choice for me. I must travel, fate has built me to explore.
plus the monotony our society breeds is bad for the soul, negativity fueled by self preservation, people retire so soon! keep themselves hidden and specialized...i don't know. I could ramble on and on about it on the internet, really the best things for the living organism are talking to strangers, and walking.
plus the monotony our society breeds is bad for the soul, negativity fueled by self preservation, people retire so soon! keep themselves hidden and specialized...i don't know. I could ramble on and on about it on the internet, really the best things for the living organism are talking to strangers, and walking.
- smartmouth
- Posts: 237
- Joined: May 6th, 2009, 2:00 am
by TheMightyWalrus » January 29th, 2012, 8:49 pm
Reading "INTO THE WILD" by jon krakauer started my obsession with christopher mccandlesses life, which led to my interest in hitchhiking. Be safe out there 
“If the words 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' don't include the right to experiment with your own consciousness, then the Declaration of Independence isn't worth the hemp it was written on.”
― Terence McKenna
― Terence McKenna
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