When I moved to NZ in 2006, Hitch-hiking was normal for kids and adults. You would normally get a ride within 3 or 4 cars. Now it is never seen. Over the same timespan, NZ has gone from a country where egalitarianism was a noted national characteristic, to a strong division into 'losers' and 'winners'. I'm guessing therefore that lack of social cohesion is the main factor in play.
Came here from your comment on my post via freddie deboer. Good stuff. Really trying to raise my kids like this here in the states but man is it tough.
I hitchhiked across Australia in 1988. Sydney to Cairns then Cairns to Darwin. I have so many fond memories.
Of the aging hippy who knew a shortcut across the top of Queensland (it's 1,700 miles along approved roads). At one point, the engine fell out the bottom of the van and we waited 8 hours for another car to pass us.
Of the family who weren't going my way but took me back to stay the weekend in their ranch where we swam in their waterfall, drank their wine and ate Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Of the time I took a turn to drive and when we had to stop for gas after driving for 400 miles of dead straight road without touching the brake, my foot was asleep and we missed the turning.
Hitchhiking is awesome. It would be a shame if we forget how to do it.
Hitchhiking was safe and prevalent in Utah long after the ‘60s. It survived until Ted Bundy showed up. As you can imagine, that practice became significantly less common shortly thereafter.
Came here via Freddie de Boer.
When I moved to NZ in 2006, Hitch-hiking was normal for kids and adults. You would normally get a ride within 3 or 4 cars. Now it is never seen. Over the same timespan, NZ has gone from a country where egalitarianism was a noted national characteristic, to a strong division into 'losers' and 'winners'. I'm guessing therefore that lack of social cohesion is the main factor in play.
Came here from your comment on my post via freddie deboer. Good stuff. Really trying to raise my kids like this here in the states but man is it tough.
I hitchhiked across Australia in 1988. Sydney to Cairns then Cairns to Darwin. I have so many fond memories.
Of the aging hippy who knew a shortcut across the top of Queensland (it's 1,700 miles along approved roads). At one point, the engine fell out the bottom of the van and we waited 8 hours for another car to pass us.
Of the family who weren't going my way but took me back to stay the weekend in their ranch where we swam in their waterfall, drank their wine and ate Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Of the time I took a turn to drive and when we had to stop for gas after driving for 400 miles of dead straight road without touching the brake, my foot was asleep and we missed the turning.
Hitchhiking is awesome. It would be a shame if we forget how to do it.
Hitchhiking was safe and prevalent in Utah long after the ‘60s. It survived until Ted Bundy showed up. As you can imagine, that practice became significantly less common shortly thereafter.