Hitchhiking Gone Wrong

I LOVED hitchhiking. I think it is a great way to get around and to get to know many different types of people. BUT It only takes one creepy to ruin all the great hitchhiking moments. 

After and already long day hitching across South Island, New Zealand I decided to keep moving. I was on the outskirts of Christchurch and within seconds of the car door closing I felt I had made the wrong decision. The person I got in the car with was clean cut, driving a BMW, and  at first glance didn’t seem like someone you would feel uncomfortable to be in a car with. 

At this point I had done a fair amount of Hitchhiking in New Zealand and always felt safe. So I never took the necessary processions like taking a picture of their number plate and sending it to a friend or even telling someone where I was and where I was going. Silly I know but up until this point everyone I got in the car with seemed to be more worried about my safety and would make sure I got off alright. 

5 minutes into the car ride he asked me if he could drive naked. When I told him that would make me feel uncomfortable he started talking about how he used to be a stripper and would have sex in front of big groups. Then he went on to tell me how he would love to see me naked and keep asking me to go with him to a nudest community. I was frozen, all my belongings were in the boot of his car, I didn’t have service, it was getting late, no one knew where I was and I felt completely helpless. I wasn’t able to say much except to say no to all his requests. I was left in the middle one no where, with no service shaking with fear but SO thankful nothing had happen to me. I was then harassed by several passing cars before a nice family picked me up telling me I really shouldn’t be in that area. They couldn’t take me far but I had no other chose but to keep hitchhiking.

After a hours waiting I was picked up by a lovely lady who drove me across Arthur's Pass to Grey Mouth. When I checked into a hotel happy to be somewhere I thought would be safe. Luckily I check in using my New Zealand ID because the owner went on to tell me (for no real reason) that they would kick people out if they were from the country where I was born. That he wished they would all die even if there were a few good people there it didn’t mater. I was the only person in my dorm room. The door didn’t lock so I pushed a bunk be in front of it. 

Because of covid there were only busses running once or twice a week and I had just missed one. I was scared to hitchhike and I was scared to stay in the hostel. The next day I keep my head down and didn’t talk to anyone trying to figure out my best option. I spent hours trying to hitch out and end up meeting another lovely girl who was trying to do the same. We made it out together and have become friends since. Always checking in with each other and remembering to be extra careful when deciding to get into a car with someone. 

Have you had a bad or good experience? Or have you ever tried hitchhiking? 

I still have found memories of my experiences but don’t do it as often anymore. 

Short film I made after the fact: HERE