| Hitchiking in South America (6 posts) |
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So, I've been kind of wanting to hitchike around Europe for a while, kind of bum it, but it seems as though my plans are changing to going to Central and South America instead... I know that there are a variety of safety levels down there, and I'm wondering if any one has done any hitchiking down there, or knows any one who has, and might have any stories about it, good or bad, or tips in general... I"m very interested in this because, of course it would be more economical to travel this way, but the main reason is i think it would give me more opportunity to meet people, and have a less planned , more spontaneous trip...if any body has any info/tips, i would so greatly appreciate hearing about it... thanks...
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Hi,
One last interruption
b/c means "because" That is my shorthand. It appears once, but I can't remember where.
I mean hashish by strong pot- in other words, trip out on stuff like you are stoned on marijuana with high levels of THC. Don't make me write the website down!
In case I wrote this ever: b/w means "between".
FYI is another shorthand that means, "For Your Information" and BTW (I didn't use that, but it took me a while to figure out what that stood for, so I am explaining it to people like me) stands for "By The Way"- it is an afterthought.
I don't have all my life to type, but I like to help people, so I try as best as I can. Hitchhiking is a really broad topic after you have had an experience like I did. And that happened at night in the Canadian Rockies in desperation. It was either hitchhike in the second safest place to hitchhike in Canada, and hope for a semi-trailer-truck (tip from someone who has hitched a lot of British Columbia, the province) or sleep in a marshy ditch overnight and walk 10 km back up to the staff residence of which job I had just quit. I chose the hard place instead of the rock. ("Stuck between a rock and a hard place." -common Canadian saying to explain what a dilemma is, not like we have a lot of those in Canada.)
In case you don't understand this because you speak another language, www.xe/com/ucc
And now I have run out of time, for real.
Take care.
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This is my best advice that includes my knowledge, street sense, common sense, and care. Really. It is long, so I devided it up. I had to use Word. But it would have been longer if I sent you a private message, so I’m posting this here. Please forgive me for the lenth. I forgive you for the general question about a topic that I know too much about . There is important advice in CAPSLOCK later on.
I've heard about this, too. What this means is that you just assume that they are a street taxi if they stop (don't thumb a ride, I don't know about signs, but I think that they just stop if they know that you are in need of a ride and it'll be obvious to them). It does not have to say "taxi" on the car if you are in a rural area. Most people can't afford that if they need to run a taxi out if their vehicle. If they stop and ask you where you are going, (Assume that they only speak Spanish, and be able to speak Spanish fluently (enough) before you go down, and learn it from someone who has either travelled extensively in Latin America or has been born in Latin America. You don't need to learn Portugese unless you plan to travel extensively where they speak it. Keep reading.) then tell them the town or city like the locals say it (your guidebook should be right) and then negotiate the rate in the local currency (and LEARN ABOUT COUNTERFEIT MONEY SCHEMES!!!!!!). This is basically how it should work.
People might approach you on the streets in South America and offer to be your guide. Accept if you think you need a guide or if you are travelling solo and won't mind the company in English. Always tip if it is helpful, and never if it deffinately isn't. If they specify an amount- they should before you accept, and then just use your discretion. But, seriously, tip, even if they are children, as long as they are really helping you- and don't just give kids candy, because a lot of people will do that, so think about if they were your kids. Some people really need this income and that is why they ask, so you would be directly helping out the locals. They will speak English if they are a guide. Local guides are good. Remember that, because it is common sense (you obviously have that if you have hitchhiked before and aren't afraid of hitching again, but don't be afraid of people ever when you travel because they will find a way to take advantage of you in some way, and I am being absolutely honest and I'm talking from experience.). Also, know that some museums won't translate everything into English. They may even hire the guides, so really use your discretion about tipping then. Don't ever be too generous to people, because they will see your compassion and take advantage of it. Don't look for local guides. Act like you don't expect to be bothered, that you are enjoying the peace of aloneness. Don't look nonchalant, but do look relaxed and untroubled by anything. If no one approaches you, then no one has a need. Assume this and enjoy your day in peace alone or with the company of another traveller you met along the way. Concretely, this means, don't ask, "Are you a guide?" to someone who looks like a local, because if they are a local they might feel obligated and you would be putting him/her out and that is impolite in any culture. Only ask locals directions when you can't find something in THEIR local langauge (Spanish or Portugese, depending on the country, and if it isn't Brazil, speak Spanish.
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Having lived in Central America and travelled in South America I can tell you that it's a very poor idea.
People are poor and you have the money to spend what is for them a year's income-now you stand around begging rides-bad form very bad.
In any case if someone stops to give you a ride paying for the ride is the norm-nothing is free.
Gasoline might be cheap but wages are low and-again-you have more money than any 10 people on the street.
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part 2
Skip this paragraph if you speak another European language fluently, unless it isn't French. When you are travelling in Europe, you need to only learn how to pronounce the MOST POLITE WAY to ask a local if he/she speaks English in the country's official language. E.G. in French, this would be, "Parlez(par-lay) vous(voo) francias(frahn-say), Monsier(mohn-se-ur) (to a male adult) or Mademmoiselle(Mad-am-moi-zel) (to a young lady) or Madame(Mah-dam), (to an older woman, or a woman with a ring that obviously implies marriage)?" Say that in a question voice. "Parllez vous...", is a polite form that shows respect in French. Never do what I did, never say, "Tu Parlles..." That is like making a declaration in French. It is rude and will justifyably be met with "No." in English. If you forget, pray that someone with compassion on tourists will find you. Someone will. Someone helped us, and I forgot to pray- God knew I needed help! While I'm at it, if you want to eat out at a restaurant in Europe, then learn the numbers in German (very important, and they have English menus, FYI), Italian, French, Swiss (3 dialects of Swiss-German, -French, -Italian, just so you know), and anywhere else you might travel in Europe. Not Dutch, though, because they EXPECT you to speak English to them. They find it rude in Amsterdam if you don't. I know this from Dutch people. AND DON'T QUOTE THAT ADVICE TO DUTCH PEOPLE ANYWHERE because they might get you really high on some wierd drugs to get revenge on you for being annoying! Just memorize the French sentence if you are going to Europe, but you will remember the rest when you need it there, so stop worrying.
You don't need to hitchhike in Europe, but in case you are in trouble there, I will explain European hitchhiking to you. First of all, it is called autostop in Europe. So call it that when you are in Europe, but never outside. Next, look at a map in a train station (bahnhof (pronounced as spelled), in German) to learn the local names of cities and how to spell them correctly. This is very important- spell the city names correctly because if you don't, then they will silently judge you as rude. And use the local spellings and pronunciations. For example, to English-speakers, Munich is the name that we recognize. But in Germany, they call it Munchen, with 2 dots over the U. Pronounce it "Myoon- ghin" to everyone in Europe. And call Italy by it's proper name, "Italia" and pronounce "France", "Frahnss." Say every other country name the English way, especially Spain. This is especially important if you want to make friends with the locals and not risk having them judge you as ignorant. Don't ever call Germany, Deutschland, EVER. Just know it is called that if someone says that around you. Just know "Deutschland" is "Germany." Try this country name advice in Latin America, to European travellers, though. Europeans are all multi-lingual, but don't feel bad if you aren't, because they all genuinely wish that they are as fluent as you in English. Just don't assume all Europeans speak some English, and don't be offended if they don't. It is not personal if you are travelling in their country. Assume it is not personal if you are travelling in a non-English speaking country. Back to autostops . . . (get used to that word ;) ). Use a permanent marker and a piece of cardboard, like in Canada and the U.S.A., but just write the city name and hold it up. If you can pronounce the local name well, then thumb a ride (thumb up, fingers closed around palm, like in N.America). Dress this way: No shadows on your face- guys need to shave, no hats, period, for either sex, or bandanas. Be dressed appriopriately for the weather and the culture. BANDANA STORY: in Germany, you will be stopped and possibly chased by the Zoll for wearing a bandana b/c they might assume that you are part of a gang. This happened to a friend of mine who is American, but born in Munich, Germany, and she freaked out and they chased her. They looked crazier than her. But she didn't have her passport on her because she was living in S.W. Germany (Shwebia), as I was. Cooperate with people no matter what on the streets in Europe (but just look, don't stare, back at rude guards and pretend to be mute on the trains).
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Chile might be the only latin american country where hichiking is posible and quite safe. Most of the people dont expect money for the ride so its a great way to get to know this great country!
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