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==Press Release #1 - April 2011 (work in progress; please comment in the end) ==
Hitchhiking is the oldest form of travel. People like Marco Polo would have never made their epic journeys without the help of friendly strangers. Voyagers are roaming the roads for various reasons, but when it comes to hitchhiking it's hardly ever just a means to get from place A to place B for free. On the outset it looks like they are all doing the same thing: raising their thumb by the side of the road. But everyone has their own motivations. Some seek for personal growth, some adventure and others appreciate most the profound cultural experiences.
{insert a comment about learning points}
Yet, for the past couple of decades, the popularity of hitchhiking has been in steady decline. This is due to several factors: the public transportation has become somewhat well-functioning, private car ownership has become more accessible and fear has increased in our society. {insert a comment}
Still, every year, new generations of hitchhikers emerge. And now they are equipped with modern day technology! People can plan and prepare their trips with knowledge-bases such as Hitchwiki.org and Digihitch.com. Accommodation can be found through online platforms like CouchSurfing, Hospitality Club and BeWelcome. Internet has enabled organized action and collaboration between hitchhikers around the world. One example of this new "open society" is The European Hitchgathering that started as, and still is, an initiative by the hitchhikers for the hitchhikers.
{insert a comment about the hitchgathering}
Previous hitchgatherings took place in France, Ukraine and Portugal. This year The Hitchgathering is going to be organized on a beautiful Kara Dere beach near Byala, Bulgaria. The event starts on 5 August 2011 and lasts at least a few days, or as long as people wish to stay. Similarly, the program is made by the participants, on the spot. Anyone can hold a workshop, facilitate team games or whatever they think might contribute to the success of the event.
{insert words of encouragement for drivers and first-time hitchhikers}
By seeing the effort to organize The Hitchgathering and enabling these experiences on the road, the European hitchhikers wish to contribute to a creation of a more open, trust-filled and sustainable society.
More information:
www.hitchgathering.org
www.hitchwiki.org
==April 2011 Newsletter (sent out) ==
