To all my friends and family:
Yes, I am hitchhiking by myself for the last leg of my journey before May. And yes, I know that by doing so I may be dipping my toes in the waters of recklessness, but please stop telling me to be careful like I'm a careless moron. I AM CAREFUL. As careful as you can be when hitchhiking. Whether you believe it or not, I do actually care a great deal about my life and body. I do listen to you guys and I can't even tell you how many times I have heard the term "be careful" and "be safe" by not just you but by almost every single person who picks me up. I understand that I am in a different country and you all are no where near me and it makes you nervous to think of me hitching around, but this aint my first rodeo and if I am going to hitch in any country New Zealand is probably the safest place to do so.
This is what I know:
1. The world is not all rainbows and butterflies: ie, not everyone can be trusted.
2. Just because someone looks nice doesnt mean that they are nice. Ted Bundy could charm the pants off of anybody and look how he turned out.
3. Being a girl, I have to be extra careful about who I get in a car with.
4. Being a girl with a bright yellow smiley face hoody doesn't make me look very threatening. Therefore I am picked up by women, couples, families and old people more often than others.
5. Because of the aforementioned fact, I usually have no trouble getting a ride, which means that I have no reservations about declining a ride with anyone because I know I won't be stuck in one place for refusing their offer.
And these are the safety precautions I take:
1. Sometimes I find other hitchhikers/travelers on the road and team up with them.
2. I always text someone where I am and where I am going, so someone in New Zealand always knows where I am between rides and that I am ok at the end of the day.
3. I do in fact have a gut feeling and I know to listen to it. Erin and I didn't listen to ours back in '09 and I still remember it; you only have to do that once. I'll say no thanks.
4. I usually make sure the person in the car knows that I am going to meet someone/someone is or will be expecting me. It isn't much, but it is a little precaution that may deter people from picking off lonely wanderers.
So please, STOP telling me to be careful over and over again. I know to be careful, and I know you love and care for me. I love you all too but when I get bombarded with nothing but worry and assumptions that I am being stupid about what I'm doing makes me not want to tell you about it. I would rather assume you think I am taking a bus. (Which I do take when it's really cheap or if Im going through a known sketchy place.) Have a little faith in humanity. Not everone is good, but not everyone is out to hurt others. I have met so many wonderful people by traveling this way and have shared many coffees, lunches, dinners and stories with them. I know the risks, and I am wary of them. But I am also experiencing the benefits. -K
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