They began their adventure in early November. After arriving by plane in New York, they are now on their way to Los Angeles, where they have a flight scheduled for Portugal on December 17th. Until then, the trip is hitchhiking.
Francisco Albuquerque and Daniel Estima, two young Portuguese, decided to cross the United States of America. As? Hitchhiking.
This type of adventure is nothing new for the two friends. They have a project lasting around four years, and they often embark on challenges. Just the two of them, or with more friends, have hitchhiked to Qatar, crossed Africa in a €500 car and, here, discovered the most isolated restaurant, the most isolated couple and even the last two inhabitants of two villages .
At the end of the year, they decided to hitchhike on another continent. They bought two plane tickets (one from Portugal to New York and another, on December 17th, from Los Angeles to Portugal) and put their backpacks on their backs. Between the two points, there is more than five thousand kilometers of distance and more than 40 days of travel… and many rides to catch.
(Andly)
At one of the stops, Francisco and Daniel spoke to SIC. They admit that the trip didn’t have much preparation, especially because rides are uncertain.
Francisco Albuquerque “As we are hitchhiking, planning is day-to-day.”
Not everything is easy. They point out the waiting time for rides as the biggest difficulty.
Daniel Estima “Americans are much more suspicious in general. But on the other hand, when we get a ride, it’s usually very big, many kilometers at once.”
To sleep, they opt for strangers’ houses who, after one night, become adventure friends. Other times, luck knocks at the door. There were those who paid for their hotel. Yes… and it happened more than once.
(Andly)
Francisco and Daniel, or better said, the adventurer Francisco and the adventurer Daniel, return to Portugal days before spending Christmas with their family. In their backpacks they bring friends, tiredness and many stories to tell.
Until the 17th arrives, and as long as there is a road to walk… there are rides to catch.
