Hitchhiking in Turkey was one of the most finest experiences I have ever had .For the first time I experienced something completely different from Europe .
Turkey is an extremely hitchhiking-friendly country where you never have to wait more than 15 minutes .It is so extremely comfortable to hitchhike there that its hard to find trouble anywhere .People will even try to speak to you on the street and offer their help in any way they can as happened to me many times everywhere .People would start asking me if I need any help or if I would be lost in any small city . At first the start of hitchhiking was slow as I had only arrived in a new country and had no idea what would be waiting for me at the dangerous roads of Turkey …Well for the first time in a long time my german became useful again since there is a bigger chance of meeting people who speak german than english .Hell yes for my childhood watching german cartoons . The first car of course stopped and the driver asked me if he could bring me to a bus station – that happens a lot apparently and the second car got me 6 km further – as I said it was a slow start – But then things got off with a blast when a small van stopped for me and the guy started speaking german – in no time he stopped near a truck that got me many hundreds of km further . The truck drivers are the nicest around – Of course at first there was a language barrier but we managed it completely using body language .He taught me basic turkish and I him basic English or at least polished as much as he knew .The fact is that almost every driver will offer you tea(chai) and something to eat – so my own cup would have come more handy if I had thought of that beforehand . The driver let me off near a big city in a gas station so I would have a good place to continue my journey – especially since I didnt have a sleeping bag with me or a tent .Maybe traveling for a year with a normal handbag was a bit too much of a crazy idea .I waited and brushed my teeth and finally shaved .Felt heavenly – really heavenly and got to the border of Iran the next day – thanks to the driver who worked all night .
In the morning we were on the road of the border 15 km of trucks behind each other , 30 degrees celsius and surrounded by amazing mountains with sheep – We of course had breakfast which consisted of dried lavas that we softened with water and peanut-buttery-kind-of-weird-substance .It was actually edible .after breakfast I hitchhiked to the border and asked around if you need visa . You actually do need visa …So I changed my plan and started hitchhiking to Georgia since I don’t need a visa there . On the road I met many kind-hearted people who offered me chai and something to eat – It was amazing . The landscape is mostly dry and people throw out trash from the window – So it is not the most sanitary place in the world . By nightfall I was In Georgia .
I saw little graffiti – drank much chai , illegally beer that was horrible ( Turkey is not a country for beer) and ate the most weird and delicious food available in turkey and I loved every minute of it .
” All of my pictures from Hitchhiking Turkey are lost ”
PS! ( Turkish people touch foreigners a lot )
( Usually you never wait more than 15 minutes for a car )
( You are offered from just a cup of tea to a great dinner and a place to sleep )
( Turkish ice-cream is one of the most delicious ones in the world )
Raimond Soon 