I wake up at dawn. I have slept in the bushes, in a small spot of trees where a lot of birds live. Rooks. They’ve been speaking all night, loudly. I have assured myself that if someone would move among the trees I would know it by the birds screaming louder, just like they did when I came in. Still, I sleep lightly and I wake several times. I listen closely, but it’s dark and quiet. I am chilly, but not cold.

Finally, the darkness is different as I peer out of the sleeping bag. I try to fall asleep again, but can’t. The next time I look out, it is lighter, and I realize that even though the moon is still high, it is dawning. The birds are louder, too. I wake myself.

Today, I want to catch a ride. It is difficult to start but I know that if I find one, the rest will come.

I want to go south. I check the map, locate the highway and a good, big city I could aim for: Graz. I locate a gas station by the highway, one where cars going south may stop. And that’s it.

I walk, for hours. It is windy and chilly, but the weight of the bag keeps me sweating. I pass by small towns, though no place really provides a good place to hitch. I keep on towards the gas station.

Highways aren’t meant to be walked by, nor crossed. To get to the gas station I need to make a detour, go over a field and climb a hill, then cross a bridge. I stay for a while, looking down at the noisy flow of traffic passing by beneath. Surely somewhere, someone will take me with them.

By the time I make it to the station the wind is cold and sharp drops of rain are falling. The cars passing are few, the trucks even fewer. There is no good spot to thumb and no one is stopping. I am feeling tired, introverted and shy – I haven’t done this for months – but I give myself a push and walk up and start asking around. It is torture to put myself out there, and it doesn’t really get easier. Still, I smile.

It probably takes me two hours, but finally I find a ride. It is an Austrian truck driver carrying sand who probably feels sorry for me and can take me no longer than about 30km, but at that point being inside any car is a dream, both for my cold nose and self esteem.

…

(This story told in pictures.)