Hitchhiking is not only useful for broke backpackers, but also for travelers eager to meet locals. Through a thumb up stories are shared, even if just for a couple of kilometers. Most of the time powerful bonds are created and precious suggestion given.
Of course hitchhiking should always be wisely done, I will hardly see myself hitchhiking in New Mexico neighborhood.
When I think about hitchhiking I immediately think about Australia, New Zealand, USA, Europe, maybe South East Asia… not certainly with the country I want to talk about today.
We are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, an arcipelago painted with lush green as the vegetation, cerulean and deep blue as the ocean and black as the lava soil: SAMOA.
Samoa might not pop up in your mind as an hitchhiking paradise, maybe just as an idyllic spot where to lay on the beach and do nothing but relaxing.
But Samoa is so much more than just that. And the best way to discover its secrets is raise a thumb and just wait couple of minute, because your ride is on its way.
The secret is the incredible hospitality and kindness Samoans have shown, and the small size of the islands combined with the peculiar road network.
Geography shows that Samoa is composed by mainly two islands, Upolu, the smallest but more populated, and Savai’i, the largest but wilder. Even though in Upolu the road network is a bit more developed than Savai’i, which has just one ring road all around, you can not get lost.
Roads are connecting the north and the south of the main island, cutting through the mountains, and the eastern and the western sides, along the shores.
This turns into a great amount of cars passing through the same road and in high chances to get picked up.
Moreover, Samoans are the most incredible populations I ever got in contact with, they are extremely careful about tourists and are always making sure they don’t need any help.
Definitely exactly what I was in need of when I started walking out of Apia, the capital city, with my stuff packed for 8 days.
During my crazy trip I also got hosted by two different families, but this is another great story.
What is even greater is the Sunday for samoans. After Vatican, Timor-Leste and American Samoa, Samoa has the highest percentage of Christians. Therefore, their Sunday is dedicated to the rest, to the family, but first and foremost to the Lord.
This turns into every shop, restaurant, activity closed, and most of the people staying home.
Now don’t you think that you will find no-one around the whole islands. Especially in the morning before and right after the function supermarkets and mini-markets are open, and people moving.
However it will get more complicated in terms of movement, if you are relying on others.
For what concerns my experience, on Sunday I have been able to cross the whole island and find an accommodation.
But If you are wandering: Is Samoa considered safe to visit hitchhiking? the answer is YES!. Pack your stuff and board.
Comments