It reminded me a lot of Wendy Myers account of her 1960's seven year hitch around the world, but the contrast is strong to say the least. Peter Beale was called up for military service in 1954, dashed home from the South of France where he was hanging out at the time, and was rejected on medical grounds. To kill the time suddenly granted him he decided to hitch around the world, just for the hell of it.
He hit the road at 6.30 a.m., Thursday, March 17th, 1955, standing on Blackheath Common waiting for a ride. I wonder what Blackheath Common looks like now, and if anyone would imagine hitching from there?
He really did hitch the vast majority of the way to India and back via France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordon, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bahrein, and Pakistan, taking almost two years to do it. He flew back in almost one jump. In the 1950's this was a world not much diffferent to that described by Wendy Myers. It was possible, on account of a dearth of tourists to charm your way onto anything from cars to aeroplanes and ships, just by presenting yourself amicably to the right people. The magic of an Englishman so far from home, just out to see the world, often did the trick.
"I'm trying to hike around the world", Peter says to an India Guru.
"Does this not cost money?", comes the reply.
"Sometimes. Not much though. If you are lucky you get free rides on ships or 'planes" ...
But Peter didn't have the time of it that Wendy did. To begin with he was a man, not a woman which will never work in your favour when hitching a ride, but to cap it off he wasn't very charming in the least. Up-front is what I'd call him, obnoxious and arrogant at times -- a downright bloody prat as often as not.
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