Lovely essay. Hitchhiking is still alive on the islands in Washington state as people without car often get rides to go to the shore to get on the ferry boat. Years ago, I've given young homeless teenagers a ride from a suburban neighborhood to downtown in Portland, OR. They offered to buy me a sandwich from a fast food restaurant which I politely declined. My friends thought I was insane to do that. Having lived in 7 different states and two different foreign countries - kindness does peek in every once in a while, especially when you least expect it. It's one of the reasons I love authentic hostels owned by individuals not the corporation ~ it's a whole different tribe with amazing vibes. Met wonderful people and was heartbroken Northern CA hostel was discontinued due to the city inspection complaints it failed to be updated to new laws. Now it's all cookie cutters of chain restaurants, chain malls, chain look-alike everything. I miss the realness of real villages.
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