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Hitchhiking in [[Sumatra]] is very easy for people with white skin and can be faster and more comfortable than public transport. The trans-Sumatran highway is used by cars going longer distances and is faster than the more scenic coastal/ small mountain roads. Getting a lift into town is also faster and easier than public transport. Often the Indonesians also feel obliged to pay for food and help find accomodation.
To differentiate between hitching a free ride and calling a taxi/ojek over, the word 'numpeng' (pronunciation varies) is used to mean a free ride.
It is also possible to ride the freight trains through central Java for free. Though police are loath to let a large number of tourists on - it generally being the reserve of the poorest of travelling Indonesians - it is possible in small numbers. SImply head to the train station and ask about 'krater barang barang' (luggage train). Particularly i smaller stations even the guards will be happy to help, though their information is often contradicted by eachh person you meet, asking every person you can is generally a good way to work out when a train might be coming through. There is generally one main train line that runs through Java for freight. it divides at each end (west and east), but if you're if hoping to head west, just get on the train going west and vice versa
== Cities ==
