Hello mighty readers! How are you? Answering one of the most asked questions on the blog. Check this out!

If you follow my blog and the Travel Story series, you may have noticed that my travel style is... somewhat broke and miserable. It's a style that I have chosen to follow, not only because I really don't have money to pay for comfort, but also because it adds a lot to the experience.

Most of my adventures, before I've purchased my bicycle, were hitchhiking trips. From motorcycles to trucks even boats sometimes. The forms of transportation have varied a lot, but the motivation to keep on going has always been the same - moving no matter what!

But... How long will it take to move?

This is what I want to to talk on this post, as this is the most common question on the comment section. I'm not going to go into a hitchhiking guide, because that has been already explored on previous posts. With that in mind, let's dive into a short Travel Story. Hope you find it funny and entertaining. Enjoy!

^{First night by the road.}

The Longest Hitchhiking Waiting Time

On the crazy adventures of Mr.P things seem to happen overwhelmingly well or completely miserable, finding the perfect balance is never achievable. I would say that it's part of the game I guess.

Whenever people ask me how long it takes to find a ride I immediately remember of that inglorious experience on February the 21st, in Entre Lagos, Chile. I was living the apex of my hitchhiking expertise, I knew the tactics and how to read the eyes of a driver. Or at least I thought so.

On the previous days I had luck in Chile going from the northern Chiloé all the way to Osorno (160 km), where I was dropped near a two lane highway - the worst scenario to hitchhike, because cars pass way too fast.

- Hmmm, I'm in troubble. - I thought.

However, I did what I had to do. Found a good spot and thumb up.

^{Eating by the road.}

^{Time to move.}

Lucky again, 30 minutes and a car took me from the the intersection to a city called Entre Lagos (50 km).

- Well, this is going to be easy! Just 70 km and I'll be back to the border Chile - Argentina. - I thought.

That's where it got nice.

The sun was setting when I found myself wandering along the road again. The fast two lane road turned into a single two ways lane cutting through green fields, quite a pleasing view if you ask me. But I didn't want to stay there!

All the same, the options at that time were limited and no cars would lift me once the sun had set. I walked some kilometers trying to evaluate the best place to put my tent; maybe inside a farm, but what if they shot me? Or I could put near the lake? No, too many rocks. After thinking so much I ended up pitching my tent near the road behind a tree, it would protect me in case a car lost control, plus, I'd be near the road early in the morning. As simple as that, I slept.

^{First night by the road.}

Day 2: Skipping all the boring morning routines of eating crackers, oat meals and bananas and packing everything. At 8 in the morning my thumb was already working meanwhile my brain could barely function.

Cars passing, trucks, full cars, empty cars... nothing... 9 AM... scratch beard... more cars... eat crackers... 10 AM... nothing! My limit of boredom is usually around 3 hours waiting time, I danced, kicked stones... nothing.

After three hours I decided to walk, walking with the thumb up, what I used to call the 'please help me I'm desperate' technique. Some times I'd stay in a place, and walk more. Nothing...

Incredible how the day passes fast when you are walking, I saw people come and go, I saw guys holding ads near the road.

- So, they really get paid to stand here with an ad? I'm standing here for free! - I thought.

I must have walked 25-30 kilometers by my count, below a pretty hot sun for Patagonian standards. Only 40 more and I'd reach the border, where it would become much easier to talk to the drivers directly.

- Ok, I'll stop, eat, rest by the road and walk during the night the remaining distance. No sun, breeze, beautiful. I'm a genius. - I thought.

That's what my brain wanted, not what my body wanted. Laying there on the grass was heavenly, which quickly made me change my mind. I placed my inner tent (the mosquito net) to avoid pitching the whole thing, cooked some lentils, entered in my sleeping bag and called it a day below the stary sky. I could hear the river sound nearby and some cars were passing here and there. I wonder if they had any ideas that I was sleeping there.

^{This is how bored I was that day.}

Day 3 - walking day: I was determined to get to the dang border, a desire so huge that I woke up extra early and angrily dressed the backpacks to get out of that evil road.

- Can't believe it's taking me 3 days to move 70 km!!! After 10.000, this is insane!!! - I was mumbling to myself.

Few cars passing by.

- Staaaaahwp for dear God, bastards. - I was getting desperate.

On a last desperate move I saw a car coming on the distance, slowing down, giving turn signal. Yes, yes! Run time! I made it!

- Ola hermano, hop in! - the driver said.

- Thank you! thank you so much! - I said.

- Hermano, I saw you placing the tent last night, I knew you were going to be here! - The driver said laughing.

- Look, I'm not going far, but I work at the Anticura Park, it'll be easier for you there. - He continued.

At that time, I was not even paying attention to where he was going, just the fact of being in movement was enough to highlight my early morning.

He dropped me in front of the Parque Nacional Puyehue, where I stood still for a couple more hours 'till another car lifted me back to Argentina.

^{Early morning waiting.}

From there I went to Villa Traful in Argentina, another great experience that you'll read in another story.

And this, my friends, was the longest hitchhiking experience I've had so far; 3 days, 2 nights to move 150 km. A lot of walking, mumbling and kicking rocks.

Was it worth it? Hell yeah!

Have you ever hitchhiked? What's your longest waiting time? Drop a comment down below, I love talking to you!

If you liked this post, please, consider leaving your upvote for a hot coffee.

~Love ya all,

Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.