Why can't Indians hitchhike and solo travel like others?

Can Indians do hitchhiking/solo travel like westerners?

Earlier this month in Bali, I met Karol. While I was returning from Basakih temple somewhere deep in northern Bali, he waved his hand asking for a ride. I got him as a pillion and we rode together for an hour or two till our destinations were in different directions. Karol is from Poland, Europe. He was hitchhiking in Bali- for about a month. Hitchhiking is a mode of travel where one travels from one place to another by requesting ride from others, usually from strangers and typically without paying anything. Add to that this guy had no hotel bookings, no cab bookings, lives in a tent that he is carrying (which he pitches on the hill or by the beach as required). This way, with very little money, he can survive for several days, spend as much time as he wishes at each stop, be extremely flexible with his plan and take home lots of memories that regular tourists can never get. Back home, Karol does architecture consulting- he works for 2 to 2.5 years, saves as much as possible and then goes on 6 month long travel to different parts of the world- travels till he runs out of time or money. Before reaching Bali on this trip, he had already spent lots of time time in Nepal, Myanmar and Malaysia.

We spent some time exploring the Bukit Jambul rice terrace, clicked some pictures. He was heading towards Virgin beach for that night while I had to ride towards my hotel in Kuta, so somewhere on the way we parted ways. I forgot to ask him how he charges his phone and camera-my guess is he is carrying a solar charger. He eats local food, buys bare minimum stuff as needed and if no one gives him a ride, is prepared to walk all day with his heavy backpack.

This way of traveling is very popular in Europe and many parts of the world, where people travel with one big loaded backpack on extremely low budget. In return, the amount of experience and memories they take back is way beyond any regular tourist- one who spends only a few days at each destination, usually covering only the most touristy attractions in the comfort of a taxi or a tour bus.

Unfortunately India is NOT one of the countries where this kind of free spirited travel is encouraged. Our priorities in life seems to be totally different. As I pondered why Indians can’t/won’t travel like others, below are the potential obstacles that I could think of.

1. Family and social concerns: The idea of being free bird or exploring the world is never in the list of priorities for Indian society and family. From the age of 10 to 70, none of their priorities involve travel, adventure or exploration. 10 STD is said to be a very important milestone in a student’s life, so he/she should focus on studying. Then comes the class 12th - Very important to score high so that one can get into best of the colleges. Then it is the graduation- most important to graduate with distinction so as to secure a job in top company. Within few years into job, the pressure for wedding begins. People manage to resist it as much as they can but eventually are forced to fall in line. Within years of wedding, pressure to start a family mounts. Then onwards everything needs to be centred around kid’s comfort, convenience, education, future etc. There is no phase in life where an Indian is encouraged to do whatever that pleases him or her. Between the golden age of 25 to 40, (this is the age bracket where one will have some money, good health and should be able to pull out some free time) one should be allowed to spend at least 4-5 years as per their will, so that they can try out whatever that interests them- starting a company, music, travel, writing books or anything else one may be passionate about. But this is totally missing in the Indian culture and anyone trying follow this has to survive so much family and social pressure.

2.Food habits: A good part of Indians are pure Vegetarians by eating habit- this brings lots of complexities when abroad. Non availability of veg food, not knowing the ingredients or how it is prepared often limits our options and flexibility.

3. Leave from work: Most Indians have regular office jobs with limited leaves every year (may be about 10-20 days and weekend maybe). The idea of sabbatical is not existent in most offices (a few IT companies do have it though). Even the idea of freelance consulting is not as popular as the west. Being away from job for months at a stretch is very hard for those who have office jobs in India. Some people manage few weeks/months break while changing jobs and few are lucky to have a job that can be done from anywhere in the world as long as there is internet connection- but this won’t fly while hitchhiking.

4. Visa issues: Unlike an American passport of EU passport, Indian passport holders will need visa for most countries. Few countries give visa on arrival- but usually for short duration of 10 or 14 days. Whenever you have to apply for visa, one of the common requirement is proper flight & hotel bookings and proof of funds. You can’t skip hotel booking by saying “I will pitch a tent on the hill”, you can’t skip return ticket saying “I don’t know how long I will be staying- I will roam around as much as I like and I will return when I feel like”. All these means you can’t hitchhike as freely as an American passport holder.

5. Skin Colour: Americans and Europeans are easily recognized in Asian countries by their skin colour and may get good treatment in terms of relaxed entry criteria, support from locals/police etc. An Indian male with dark complexions is not likely to receive same level of acceptance and treatment from locals and officials in Asian countries when they are hitchhiking. I have tried asking for a ride once in Lithuania and once in Bali (At Tegalalang rice terrace, my exit was 2 kms away from parking lot) but wasn't lucky, so had to walk.

6. Savings pattern: Most of the middle class and upper middle class families fall into the trap of buying a car and a home as soon as their job stabilizes. This means a good part of their salary goes for EMIs, leaving very little for discretionary spending. Many Indians also indulge in various expenditures- such as parties, shopping, home appliances, functions etc, either to maintain their status or because of peer pressure. This leaves very little for travel & adventure. In summary, many of us spend on things than experiences. Even when we save, we have to save in rupees and spend in dollars- which isn’t an exciting proposition. Western people however, are open to the idea of living on a shoestring budget, can afford to save better and even a small % saving can get better holiday for them, as the salaries are higher and currency has good value.

7. The culture/Preferences- Even within the limited time and budget we may have at our disposal, the very idea of adventure and exploration is missing in the minds of most Indians. For many, success is buying car, house and settling in life. If you try to spend 30 k on skydiving, everyone says that is too much money being wasted, while all families conduct several pujas, functions and other events every year where lot more money is spent. For many the idea of free spirited exploration seems exciting, but when they plan the vacation, they simply go with package tour offered by the MMT or the likes, visit touristy places and come back. Some are keen to be on the adventure mode, but rest of friends/family members prefer comfort and convenience over adventure, so this person has to sacrifice his/her preferences.

Among the people I know, Sankara Subramanian has done extensive long term solo travel and hitchhiking in several countries.  Shubham Mansingka also seems to be in the same league, though I haven't met him yet. There are many other bloggers, travelers who have traveled extensively- solo and for long duration, but I am not sure if that is as basic as what Karol was doing- no fixed plan, no hotel/transport booking, living in tents and walking/hitchhiking between destinations. Priyanka Dalal, Neelima Vallangi Nisha Jha and Shivya Nath are the names I can think of, who have done hitchhiking or something very close to it in terms of adventure travel abroad. Anyone else you can think of?

What do you think? Does the idea of hitchhiking excites you? Would you go on such a trip if situation permits? What can be done to encourage more Indians to undertake such explorations?