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Spain
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{{infobox Country
|country = Spain
|oficial languages language = Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician
|capital = [[Madrid]]
|map = <map lat='40' lng='-1.8' zoom='6' view='0'/>
}}
'''Spain''' is a member state of the European Union as well as the Schengen Agreement.
== Cities ==
* [[Zaragoza]]
== More Pictures Road network ==<gallery perrow="The north of Spain has a well developed system of ''Autopistas''. Autopistas are very similar to French ''autoroutes'', and so similar rules can be applied when hitchhiking. ''Autopistas'' have two or more lanes in each direction, accessed after passing through a ''peaje'' (tollgate) and have large rest stops along the way. When hitching at ''peajes'', usually people have great success, and can obtain long distance rides, even at night time. Usually the police and motorway staff do not interfere, but some stricter police may request that you leave. It is important to note that large ''peaje'' sections are usually split by a concrete wall; 2 or 3 lanes for cars, on the inside, and another 2 or 3">lanes for buses and trucks on the outside. The concrete walls usually carry on some distance after the peaje, and end once the vehicles are travelling too fast to stop. It is up to the hitchhiker to decide which lanes to take, however sticking to the outside and waiting for a truck may attract less attention from the authorities than standing further inside waiting for a car. File:2002_Dec_Hitch_hiking_in_Catalonia_SPAINWhen hitching long distances it is a good idea to stick to large ''peaje'' sections or rest stops.jpg|Hitch-hiking in CataloniaBring water and food, since these ''áreas de servicio'' are expensive. December 2002It should be noted that hitching at small ''peaje'' sections, on motorway exits, is not recommended, as often there is one peaje for both directions, automatically ruling out many vehicles as possible rides.FileIn the south of Spain, and parts of the center and the North, the motorways are smaller and the petrol stations are usually further away from the road; this system is called ''autovia''. [http:Granada//motorways-exitlists.com/europe/e/spain.htm This website] shows exits and also service areas for some ''autovias'', as well as ''autopistas.'' It is best to be patient at these places. Be careful when people promise you to drop you off at a "very busy" petrol station, as it might turn out to be deserted.jpg|Robino hitching It is better in these cases to find direct lifts from Valencia one town to another (use a sign when thumbing). == Border crossing ==When entering the country from [[GranadaFrance]]you should try to get a lift as close to your destination as possible.File:HhPICT1975On the Mediterranean side, a good place for this is La Jonquera, one of the biggest truck stops in Europe. You’ll find plenty of international truck drivers all over the country, because Spain is a centre of the fruit industry, exporting their oranges and tomatoes.jpg|Stop at ValenciaOn the Atlantic side, there is another huge truck stop near Irun called Oyarzun (accessible in both directions). If you arrive by the ferry from [[Africa]] you should try to get a ride on the ferry or at the trip port. There are lots of people from [[GermanyMorocco]] , who went to visit their families and now return. You’ll see number plates from many other European states. === Crossing Spain to get to Portugal ===If you just want to get to Portugal, you'll want to to keep your hitch journey in Spain as short and quick as possible. This will happen by sticking to the the main road (AP-1, A-62, mostly "autovia") from Bayonne/San Sebastian to Salamanca / Vilar Formoso (the portuguese border near Guarda). Even if you come from, say, Montpellier, it's recommended to hitch up to Bayonne and cross the basque country. A good technique is to stay in one of the last service stations on the A63 in France before the spanish border, and wait for someone who can take you all to way to Portugal. Portuguese plates (1/3 of portuguese nationals live outside Portugal) or tourists (20 million invaded Portugal in 2016) will pass there. Otherwise, don't let your drivers drop you at just any gas station along the way - try your best to stick to busy ones (on the right side and near the highway, Repsol and Galp). If your ride is only taking you to somewhere near Vilar Formoso border and you want to go further in Portugal, you can stay at the last Cepsa gas station on the right side of the road, 5kms before the border. Gas is cheaper in Spain. == Language(s) ==As mentioned above, the Comunidades are not only administrative districts; many of the regions have their own culture, language and some even are reluctant about considering themselves as a part of Spain. For example the dominating language in [[PortugalCatalonia]]is Catalan, so be aware of that. Nevertheless, everyone speaks ''castellano'' (Spanish). Aside from Spanish, other recognised spoken languages are Galician, Basque, Catalan, Aranese, Astur-leonese and Aragonese. Only the first three are legally official and have a considerable number of speakers. But don't panic! Everybody speaks perfect Spanish and won't feel uncomfortable talking to you. Younger Spaniards will easily understand you in English as well.Obviously, big co-official languages like Basque, Catalan and Galician are widely used in their respective regions, and learning a handful of words or at least showing your interest in local languages may make the driver loosen up. FileAlso, you will find that some Catalan, Basque and Galician cities can appear in signs and maps with two names: one in its local language form and the other in Spanish. For instance:2002-03 Trying Donostia (in Basque) is also known as San Sebastián (in Spanish), Lleida (in Catalan) is Lérida (in Spanish), Rianxo (in Galician) is Rianjo (in Spanish) etc. Whatever your map says and whichever language you are speaking —even if you are speaking in Spanish— , hitchwiki encourages you to hitchhike use the local language form better than the Spanish one if possible, also in Murcia your sign, in order to Sevillanot mess with politics. Spaniards all across Spain understand both forms. Note: Although the signs on the road and other kinds of key information (i.e: restaurant menus) are translated into Spanish in bilingual territories, you will definitely need help in small towns and non-touristy places in the Basque Country and Catalonia, especially because Basque is an isolated language that does not resemble anything you have heard before. In case of doubt, ask the locals. In Spanish ''Disculpe, ¿qué signfica...'' (Excuse me, what does .jpg.. mean?) works fine everywhere. [[User:Mariam|2002 trip Mariam]] , who does not speak Basque, walked from Berlin a small town following a sign in Basque that she thought would guide her to Cádizthe next town and ended up in a recycling plant. === Spanish for the Hitchhiker ===The Spanish phrase ''¡Hola! Vas a... It took only one day from Berlin ?'' (Hello, are you going to Barcelona ... ?) with a wide smile is an excellent starting point. Remember most Spaniards actually meet the stereotype of being loud and friendly, but three days aren't used to see hitchhikers on the road. Therefore, you'd better be extra familiar and polite by saying things like "¡Gracias, buen viaje!" (Thank you, have a nice trip!) after your driver drops you off or when they make excuses to get from Murcia not pick you up (this way they will think twice the next time they bump into a hitchhiker). Check the Spanish section in the [[Western Europe phrasebook|phrasebook]] for more basic words. In Spanish there are only five vowel sounds and, conversely to CádizFrench or English, you should pronounce all the letters that you read as an independent sound. South So say phonetically with a clear distinction of Spaineach sound "autopista" [ aw to 'pis ta ] (motorway), not ''ottopista'', or ''otpist'' . Other difficulties that foreigners usually face: Very difficult to hitchhike The letter ''Ñ'' as in ''España'' and "mañana" (''morning'' or ''tomorrow''), which is the equivalent of the Portuguese digraph ''NH'' and Catalan ''NY''. If you struggle with it just pronounce it as an ''N'' and an ''I'' like when you say "Esto[[ni]]a" — it is not the actual sound, but it will work for a tourist. The digraph "LL" as in "calle" (¨street) and "valle" (valley) is pronounced in most places as a strong "y". You would say "ka-yeh" and "ba-yeh". The digraph "CH" is always pronounced as in ''church'' in English. But There are other tricky sounds like the ''Z'' and ''C'', the flowers did help double ''RR''... but you can get away with these brief tips pretty well. Spanish is easy!<== Links == * [https://www.facebook.com/groups/174166089591892/gallery>Facebook group for hitchhiking in Spain] == Personal Experiences == Pls add info == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
{{hitchbase_country|177}}{{Template:Europe/countries}}{{IsIn|Southern Europenomadwiki}}
{{hitchbase_country|177}}
{{IsIn|Southern Europe}}
[[Category:Spain]]
[[Category:Europe]]