In terms of results, I had mixed success. In terms of self development it was a great success.
My first attempt was to catch a fairly simple ride across the bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo. There is a great place to stand by the entry to the bridge (discovered using Hitchwiki.org) where there are two lanes, one going to Malmo one going to Copenhagen. It was around 3 degrees C, windy and best of all raining (4mm forecast for that day). Luckily I waited only about 15-20 minutes before I was picked up by a nice older man who had just dropped his wife at the airport.
My second attempt later that day was to wait at the entrance to a highway where some cars might be headed to Gothenburg. It was late at night and after an hour of waiting in the freezing cold I concluded that no one would be driving 2.5 hours to Gothenburg at 7pm at night on a Wednesday. So although satisfied I retreated back into the city to catch the 10pm bus.
I would never had have the courage to attempt such a task had it not been for HitchWiki.org - a great resources, taking the guess work out hitch hiking and saving hours. The greatest advantage would have to be the confidence it instils in an individual to attempt such a seemingly absurd feat.
Hitch hiking was a great, humbling experience and like several things I have done as of late, took a great deal of courage for me to attempt for the first time and alone - but what would be the point of travelling/life if you wernt able to challenge yourself and push boundaries. I mean for the first half an hour of standing there I couldn't stop laughing at myself, the image I must be projecting and the absurdity of hitch hiking, in Scandinavia, in winter, in the rain, at night - I just couldn't get over it, what would my Mother and Father say, they would of course condemn it as suicidal without any prior experience or understanding of the concept. Not to say hitch hiking is entirely safe, and understanding that the utmost care should be taken.
Hitch hiking was a refreshing experience, having people staring at you in disapproval, "who is this poor kid who cannot afford the bus, hes probably on drugs, hes probably homeless, hes probably going to kill us if we let him in". (This is of course is a huge generalisation and based on what my Father would say if we drove past a hitch hiker). That feeling of everyone staring at you in disapproval as you ask the world for a small favour - though not the same - I feel like it must be how homeless people and beggars (of which there are many in Sweden) must feel as they spend all day asking for peoples loose change so they can afford the bare necessities to sustain life.
Putting yourself at the mercy of a strangers generosity rather than booking a bus trip at a pre designated time is a humbling experience, not for everyone but worth a try.
I would add my view on hitch hiking as an Australian are vastly different to a Europeans, as hitch hiking in Aus is far less practical and common.
I will definitely try it again, I feel there are plenty of adventures waiting to unfold through this rare and amazing form of transport.
Next on the list to becoming a vagabond: dumpster diving.
