But I've been moved by a dream for some time now that would be a record, and it would be a human achievement, and, above all, it would be a demonstration, a demonstration of the things that hitch-hiking represents (see my earlier articles: "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking" and "Hitching is Not Just Ride Sharing!").
I was inspired by a series that Michael Palin presented, titled Around the World in 80 Days. In a modern-day rerun of the book of the same name, Michael set out with a film crew to get around the globe in 80 days (without flying). It was an attempt to demonstrate the possibility and to entertain at the same time.
So, what about the same thing, hitch-hiking, without the time limit? Can it be done? Hitch around the world? I think so. Further, I think it would be a real achievement, and could produce a very entertaining journal, as well, be it a film, a book, or whatever. In its full glory the trip would be not just around the globe, but around the world. By which I mean around the Americas, around Africa and Asia and Europe and Australia. Ideally, even the sea legs between them. Now, that's a grand task, and no small undertaking, not least because of the borders along the way, not to mention the civil strife within some of them.
I have in mind a book of faces. A photo of each driver from all those cultures, compiled into an album with the story beside it. A kind of album of people from all over still prepared to help a traveller on their way, a book of smiles. It's a little too grand a dream to imagine I'll ever undertake it myself (though I toy with the idea). But maybe someone will, and if they do, I'd be watching.
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