Georgia by Thumb

Foozball, billiards and the Black Sea were not powerful enough forces to hold Arnaud and I in  Batumi, Georgia. After a short mini-bus ride to the outskirts out town we began that time tested form of travel: hitchhiking.

The first ride was in a Mitsubishi Delica, one of my favourite vehicles. I'm not sure if it's the high clearance, the head room, the storage space, the versatility or simply the space looking shape, but I love it. Our ride givers were a father on their way to a village to drop off some watermelons among other things. We were happy for this air conditioned lift.

A fair number of these beauties in Georgia

Things were heating up outside

Then we were picked up by a husband / wife couple who had left the kids with grandma for the weekend. The asphalt quickly turned to gravel with wonderfully shaped ruts and potholes. Our driver cranked the 80s music playlist and a slight smile never left his face as we got bounced around in the back like ping pong balls.

He sported a large tatoo on each shoulder - a tiger on side and Jesus on the other. He drove like he was being chased by both.

A little off key but there are times you just need to sing it out.

Side bar on Hitch hiking

I have been asked before: “why do you hitchhike? Don’t you find it dangerous? Why not just take a bus, train or plane?” These are good questions and ones worth giving thought to. Here are a few answers to those queries.

I both love and hate hitchhiking. There are those moments when you meet amazing people and you share stories and feel connection. You can get inspired and with an imagination running ahead into the future. Those beautiful moments seem interspersed with long periods of boredom. There are the long waits on hot asphalt beside a stream of cars, whose drivers look as bored as I do on that road.

Some drivers give me a look of regret and show with their hands that they cannot pick me up due to a full car or having to stop close by. I smile and understand. Then there are the faces of those who point and laugh, or give you the finger. I have seen many a look of suspicion, as if i were doing something wrong. It only happened once when a driver did a false stop, allowing me to run up to the car only to peel away and giving me the finger. I have since forgiven him.

It was on my last major hitchhiking trip across a part of Canada that I told myself I would never hitch again. I was getting too old to stand out in the rain, I thought. Yet here I was again in unknown lands sticking my thumb out and catching rides. Why?


The Three Wonderful Ways

It is a wonderful way to meet local folks. These are not just any locals though, they are an open minded lot who have stories to tell. They are a self selecting group of risk takers with big hearts. Their life stories tell about it and they have all hitched rides before from others. (One exception noted in Canadian Rockies). The curiosity of both parties results in good conversation or a whole lot of funny miscommunication in foreign lands.

It is a wonderful way to live out the gospel. That Son of Man character said some controversial stuff back in his day and it is just as powerful today as it was back then. “Whatever you do for the least of these…” It’s a humbling stand to take on the side of the road in essence saying, "Here I am. Will you trust me?” There are folks who are down on their luck or in need of help or those intentionally traveling this way to meet people. (see below for note about risk)

It is a wonderful way to get out of our usual spaces and routine. Our days are typically filled with a certain predictability. Routines and comfort can be a way of life. We do not meet a lot of complete strangers within our social interactions and the strangers we do meet are usually through association (i.e. friend of friend). All of this is fine and good, but at times we need a little more spice in the meal. Let's grab the curry!

Note: these "wonderful ways" are not exclusive! There are many ways to meet locals, live out the gospel, and break out of comfort zones. The hitchhiking scene is just one of them.

The Risk

There is an obvious risk for hitchhiking both for the driver and the lift seeker. There are stories floating aound that become a type of urban legend. These condensate into fear. Fear is always based on some element of truth. Bad things have happened while hitchhiking over the years. Yet I ask myself, do we let tragedy stop us from daily activity? I drive my car even though I know the risks of getting injured are quite high. 

If we are convinced that hitchhiking is a good thing to do how do we stay safe? One must use their instinct/gut feeling when accepting a ride or offering a ride. If we practice listening to this we move with an internal energy flow that is gifted to us by our Creator. I have turned down rides when I did not feel safe.  

Are the risks too great for women? I have met many women solo traveling and even hitchhiking. I see the risks as being higher but trust that these women are using good judgment. As a man I have a privilege to not fear for my safety as much as a woman. I would be more interested in hearing the stories of these women and how they view risk and fear. 

In conclusion, if you see a lanky Dutch-Canadian with his thumb out please pick him up!  

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The Children of the Pass
We were dropped off at the pass at 2100m only to be accosted by some gun wielding children. They demanded money to let us pass. After some serious negotiations, target practice, and stone throwing we were allowed to pass.

This could end very badly

The boys and their pail of money

"Look Gorgi, a taxi is coming full of people!" 

"I am the dictator of this mountain!"

Hijacking in progress

A new way to move hay

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We arrived in Akshaltsikhe and visited the Rabati Fortress overlooking the town. This fortress was built in the 13th century and was often under siege. Many religions influenced the area and so we find a mosque, synagogue and church inside the walls.

The castle was nearly completely destroyed over time and was rebuilt in 2012.