Recently, I was reminded of a Japanese backpacker, called Muzz whom I met in New Zealand 20 years ago. We were all working on the same farm, which was in a remote location near Ohura, Taranaki in the North Island.
Muzz had decided to move on to New Plymouth, which was over 100km from where we were.
Our farmer hosts estimated it would be close to a 2.5 hour car drive and there was no direct bus routes. They advised Muzz that hitchhiking, which was very common in NZ at the time, would be the best way to get to New Plymouth. Muzz wasn’t familiar with hitchhiking at all as it was not usual in Japan, but he was prepared to try it.
Our hosts were making a delivery to Hamilton the following day so they brought Muzz as far as the main road and told him to stick his thumb out when any vehicles going south passed by.
The trip to Hamilton was a journey north but was also going to be about 2.5 hours each way, so it was evening time when our hosts returned.
They arrived bringing a Japanese backpacker with them… Muzz !
Muzz had stood by the side of the road all day. Six drivers stopped but none were going all the way to New Plymouth, so Muzz declined their offers of lifts.
At the time, I felt sorry for Muzz because he was hungry and tired and back at square one.
However, looking back I see that Muzz will have gained great learning that day.
1. You need to know your destination. If you don’t, you’re just going to go where others bring you. One day you’ll realise you’re living someone else’s idea for your life rather than the version of life you choose for yourself.
2. When you know your destination (like Muzz did), you need to be prepared that progress may only happen in stages. Standing still waiting for an easy ride all the way to the finish line could mean you don’t go anywhere.
3. Be prepared to forgive yourself and get back on the road if you make a mistake or something doesn’t work out immediately. After his unproductive and tiring day, Muzz got up the following morning and went hitchhiking again. He travelled with 3 different drivers but reached his destination in just over 4 hours!
Feature Image Credit: Martin Kallur via Unsplash
Sinead Huskisson 