In 1985, hitchhiking was still a common practice, and I embarked on an adventurous journey from Adelaide to Canberra. With little money and a desire to attend my brother-in-law’s 40th birthday, I decided to hitch the 1,300 km route. My journey began remarkably when a vintage American hot rod, driven by an old primary school friend, stopped to pick me up. This fortuitous encounter got me well on my way to the city’s outskirts, where I needed to catch a major highway towards Sydney.
As darkness approached on my first day, I received a ride from a young couple who, noticing my uncertainty about accommodation, kindly invited me to their home. They provided me with a warm meal and a bed for the night, and the next morning, they drove me back to the highway, continuing my good fortune.
On the second day, I was picked up by an elderly gentleman in a new Mercedes-Benz, who generously drove me much further up the highway, displaying yet another act of kindness. This trend of generous strangers continued until I reached Canberra after two days of travel.
After my stay in Canberra, I hit the road again and found myself in western New South Wales, where I unexpectedly ended up sleeping outside a church. Upon waking, I was astonished to see a convoy of circus trucks approaching, featuring animals like a giraffe and an elephant. Seizing the opportunity, I managed to hitch a ride with a circus performer named Pepe, who regaled me with stories during our six-hour drive towards the South Australian riverland, which was near my hometown.
In just two and a half days, I returned home safely, thanks to the many kind-hearted people I encountered along the way. Each one went out of their way to help a stranger in need, illustrating the innate goodness that can be found in people. Their spontaneous generosity reminded me that when the occasion arises, many will choose to lend a hand, reinforcing the importance of sharing such uplifting stories.