Astrid Andreassen, a 28-year-old student, set off on a journey from Denmark to Romania. She was impressed by the hospitality of the Romanians.
Astrid Andreassen traveled by hitchhiking to Romania Photo: Graiul.ro
The young woman went on her journey with the hitchhike of Aarhus, Denmark, wishing to arrive in Bucharest, the capital of Romania.
“I called this adventure Trust Travel – the journey of trust – because it is very based on trust. I need confidence when I climb the car of strangers or when they are received in their homes, and they, in turn, have to trust me. Along the way, I was invited to stay in the houses of several people-a deep gesture of generosity and opening”, Stated Astrid in an interview with Graul Maramureșului.
The young woman, who reached Maramureș County, says that the idea of such a trip was inspired by her father, who went, in turn, with the hitchhiking through Europe.
“Probably the desire to step on the traces always accompanied me. I chose to make this trip now, because I feel that we live in a world where confidence between people is getting easier. In Denmark and other places in Europe, I noticed how prejudices are increasing to those perceived as «FOREIGN». I wanted to contradict this mentality and show that, by opening and confidence, authentic connections can be born“She adds.
And since he arrived in Romania, he has had confidence evidence as he did not expect.
“On my first night in Romania, a man who had worked in Denmark-and I met through a Danish-handed me the key to an apartment and then left, leaving me alone. We didn’t know each other at all. It was incredible proof of trust. It happened again: someone told me I could sleep in his apartment, because he won’t be there. He gave me the key, he even paid my taxi, and he just told me to leave the key in the mailbox when I leave. It was a deeply emotional experience ”, to tell her.
And the young student was impressive by the way she was received by a Maramureş family.
“In Baia Mare and Baia Sprie, a wonderful family received me so warmly that I felt the whole city were waiting for me. A family friend baked traditional rolls, and grandmother made a homemade dessert. Their hospitality was authentic and impressive“, Says the young woman, who describes the Romanians as”friendly and eager to help”.
“Trust attracts trust”
Astrid also explains what he has learned from this experience.
“If you think people are good, then you will even meet good people. Trust attracts confidence. In fact, the fact that I am a young woman was rather an advantage: some drivers told me they took me because I seemed reliable. So, maybe this detail – that I am alone – opened doors instead of closing them“She says.
The young woman admits that there are risks when you do the hitchhike: “The main risk when you make a hitchhike is that you don’t know who takes you and you have very little time to decide whether you get in the car or not. Instinct can guide you – if you feel something is wrong, you better refuse. I didn’t have to say “no” to any car but I would have done it without hesitation in case of danger”.
