My First Hitchhikers--Claire and Gus

March 8, 2022

Tonight in Glenorchy, I picked up my first two hitchhikers. 

Glenorchy was a complete disappointment. The town was completely dead at 6:30 pm. Not even the general store was open and there was no one out and about. I was craving something hot and fulfilling so I decided to head back to Queenstown, about an hour drive. I stopped at the community library and exchanged Eat Pray Love for a couple of other books. I saw a man and woman with their thumbs out to hitchhike but I passed them because I’ve got so much shit in the back seat that I didn’t know if they could fit. But I had an overwhelming feeling that I should go back for them. There were no other cars on the road and given how dead Glenorchy was, it was doubtful they’d find a way to where they wanted to go. It was a couple so they probably weren’t murder-y and it was clear from their big tramping packs that they had been hiking. I thought of all my parents’ stories from their hikes around the US and how many strangers had extended kindnesses to them. So I decided we could work it out and turned to get them.

It turned out they were also from America! Claire from Florida looked quite similar to my thesis mentor Ayla. My sister's name is Claire so clearly I was meant to pick them up. Gus, her boyfriend of three weeks, was from Chicago. They had met on their five month work stay in Antarctica. Yes, Antarctica—much warmer than you’d think! 20 degrees Fahrenheit at least in the summer! They were both positively glowing about Antarctica. They said that because it’s so isolated, it’s a very unique social scene. They said it’s less restrictive and people are very uniquely themselves. It attracts people from all over, a veritable cast of characters bursting with stories to tell and memories to make. 

“You should apply!” Gus tells me. He’s ecstatic about the primary (job offer to go to Antarctica) that he opens when we’re at the dinner they bought me to say thanks for the ride. They give you three days to decide on the primary and the email was sent yesterday. Gus is practically buzzing with anxiety to sign it. 

And to be honest, I’m tempted to apply. It’s cheapest to transport people from Christchurch so I’d probably get in and the thought of all of these fabulous people with their wonderful stories is very tempting indeed. I probably won’t, though, because I really, really, really hate the cold.

All the hostels in Queenstown are closed so I offer them my tent but they are able to find a hotel room and I drop them off there after dinner. Fresh from Antarctica, they don’t have social media and their phone numbers will change soon since they’re headed back to America. I don’t think to get their email addresses so I have no way to stay in touch with them. 

Claire and Gus were a lot of fun and really interesting. I had a great time chatting with fellow travelers and learning more about a travel destination I’d never considered before. I’m glad I picked them up and if I saw another couple like them with their thumbs out, I’d probably pick them up. I like travel friends!