Plan B Forum

His name was Alvin, he's a 59 year old retired road train driver from Sydney, Oz.

He came to the US on holidays a few weeks ago, flew into NY and toured the country by bus until he was robbed in San Francisco. His consulate has arranged for him to have a flight home, but he has to make his way back to NY on his own steam.

I took him from just outside Dillon to Three Forks, where I dropped him at a truck stop on I-90 east. He didn't ask me for any money, but I gave him the Benjamin I keep in my wallet for emergencies while on the road - this seemed like one to me.

We had a great conversation on the ride; I kept thinking how much he and Gob had in common, at least regarding music - he's a real rocker even at his age, and educated me on how many of the best bands I've loved over the years are from Oz. We listened to AC/DC on my iPhone, because my car stereo is kaputt.

He called me a sheila.

Very nice man, I hope the rest of his experience of the US is better than recent days. He commented on how beautiful the country is, but lamented the general selfishness of the people - although he also mentioned how much kindness he'd experienced in his troubles. Talked a lot about how terrible our system is compared to Oz, where the government takes care of its people and holidays are encouraged and retirement is humane.

Then he said we should elect Donald Trump as our next president - but was unaware of Trump's several business bankruptcies. I wonder what other folks in other countries think of Trump? It's scary that someone with such noble ideals about a strong social safety net would be enthused by Trump.

PS - He was clearly a man with a strong faith; when I jokingly commented that I rarely pick up hitchhikers anymore because of my fear of axe-murdering serial killers, he said I shouldn't worry because if I'm killed by one, I'll go to Heaven and the murderer to Hell. He also told me that worrying is a sin and I shouldn't do it anymore. I'm going to try to adopt that latter advice, anyway.

Well he sounds like a nice fellow BSG, and the fact that he didn't ask you for any money indicates he wasn't running a pure hustle, (at least on you) but unless there's more to this story, there are some element here that really don't seem to add up:

His consulate has arranged for him to have a flight home, but he has to make his way back to NY on his own steam.

If the Consulate was willing to pay for a ticket home, why didn't they just put him on a flight out of SFO?

Did he bring his entire life savings with him? If not, why couldn't he arrange to get access to more money? Also did he have no family or friends at home that could have helped him if he told them about his situation?

And finally, if he was hitchhiking from San Francisco to NYC, how did he wind up in Montana? That's way far afield from any direct route....

He still has 3 weeks of holiday, thus is taking his time getting back to NY. I think the consulate assisted with arranging a replacement ticket (original stolen) on his original return flight from NY-Sydney.

I didn't get the sense that he was at all wealthy; his two young daughters are in nursing school in Sydney. Perhaps it was a scam, but like I said, he didn't ask for money, I gave it. Not going to second guess the impulse now; perhaps the Universe - or God - will grant me the kindness of strangers when I need it.

Not going to second guess the impulse now; perhaps the Universe - or God - will grant me the kindness of strangers when I need it.

Good on you bigskygal.
It has been my experience that a kindness freely given is returned even greater.

my fear of axe-murdering serial killers

I wonder what the assault/murder/rape rates or for people who have picked up hitchhikers. You get warnings not to pick them up, but I don't recall reading about people harmed by the hitchhiker.
I know, I could do a google search, but I am lazy

you know that he went right out and blew your hundred bucks on marmite and treacle....

Good story. Hope he enjoys the rest of his holiday and has a few extra-kind words to say about Montana drivers when he gets home.

I hitchhiked from Central Wash. to S. Cal and miscellaneous in-between in the 1970s. I also used community 'bulletin boards' to catch rides. You don't see people hitching much any more but then a lot of those rides were in the back of pickups which is probably not legal any more either.


yrs,
rubato

wesw wrote:you know that he went right out and blew your hundred bucks on marmite and treacle....

Wouldn't it be vegemite?

By the way, I didn't know about road trains until he filled me in - wow, they are pretty huge! Here's a photo and video for anybody interested. He drove them for 31 years prior to retiring, said his in the early years were almost always 7 trailers, each 48' long (although I gather they don't make them that long anymore).

I saw a Discovery or History or NatGea special about the Aussie Road Trains. Beasts of the roadway. Impressive.

... and just think of all the cane toads!

Must sound like the Western Front

And the pythons in the everglades.

Crikey, Ted Bundy used to spin a similar tale whenever he was looking for a ride.

BTW -- was "Alvin" signaling with his thumb or was he pointing with his index finger? There's a big cultural difference, you know.

"So we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde, and that's it hanging on the shed".

It wasn't my first impulse to stop, as I am cautious about such things - though I have picked up hitchhikers a few times before, and have also pulled over and offered a ride to walkers not thumbing because the weather was inclement and I felt they should get to shelter sooner than later. Every time has been a blessed encounter with another soul, so maybe I've just been lucky? Alvin was standing by the side of the road with his huge backpack and not thumbing in any fashion, though obviously looking for a ride. What got me to pull over was that just as I came up close to him, he raised his hands in prayer fashion above his head, beseeching God for the blessing of a friendly soul to give a ride. It still took me a moment to pull over (the speed zone was 70 mph, after all), but I was influenced by his gesture.

He was a very nice guy and I'm glad I got to meet him - hope he makes it to NY safely!

I gave a ride to Theodor and Simon today.

Nobody ever cared about them anyway.

I don't think Alvin would have made it solo though.

He'll make it until he once again goes too far but this time doesn't have the others (well Simon) to back him up. After that he's just road kill (or dinner)

No hitchhikers today, but I swerved to avoid smooshing two ferret-type critters (looking at my field guide, I think they were weasels) that ran out in front of me.

Thought it was relevant to share considering the turn to chipmunk talk.

are you sure they weren t pine martins? I would think, that as a lawyer, you would have recognized the weasels right off....