REAL LIFE STORY: “How can you get a lift if you are a HITCHHIKER?”

Tweet

As they said, “Time flies so fast.” It is indeed time flies so fast. I vividly remember to land in a foreign country, Tajikistan. It is almost 7 years that I had the best adventure in my life in this country. I had tried all the things that I have never done before in my life. Well, it wasn’t because I wanted to turn it back the decision of being here. In fact, I had accepted the unexpected circumstances that may happen along my mission in Tajikistan. When I was young, I always watched in movies that people do hitchhike. There are some scenes that seem appealing to try and scary things to ponder, too. To cut it short, I went to the Dushanbe to attend a meeting and needs to go back to Kurgan Teppa. Kurgan Teppa is my placement area. The transportation is only to share with private car owners and no buses at all. Then, I have to go back on that particular day to Kurgan Teppa. The private car that I am riding on had an engine failure. As expected, I was stranded in the middle of the desert. I was quite hesitant to speak in their national language and afraid I might in danger my life. The driver and the passengers are strangers and that includes me to them. Eventually, they had noticed because of my facial features. I look like an alien to them. Luckily, I can speak Russian and managed to ask if it will take a long time to fix it. The sky is growing dark and afraid the unexpected. It took me a second thought to have my last option and that is, to hitchhike. As an expat, I need to secure myself and think more than twice before having a final decision. At that time, I forgot to call the head office where I am about. Unluckily, if they can’t reach me out, then it will be a big issue. Without further due, I managed to raise my hand and have the thumbing sign. I felt like in a movie. I am giggling inside that it is my chance to do such a move. Luckily, a private car stopped and hopped on. I don’t talk much while I am with the family. In the end, they were so chatty people and found out that I am an expat in their country. The good part, the driver is a local policeman and felt secured during the journey. Deep inside, I am somewhat safe and secured. I arrived in my Kurgan Teppa without any scratches. It is a great adventure and a never-ending story for me. The photo was taken in 2010. A place where I was stranded for a few hours before. “Would you give a lift to a hitchhiker?” “Have you tried to hitchhike?” Image Credit: Shavkat