Back in the US

Status:

Days on the Road: 129
Travelled Km: 22725
Location: Little Rock, USA
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Here I am, sitting in the middle of nowhere , between Little Rock and Oklahoma City. I was starting to plan this already two weeks ago, when I got invited to travel with "moon" throughout Guatemala. We had a nice but short time, since she was called home by her Mom. After that I talked to Hunter again and he was persistent inviting me over to his place. While travelling in Mexico/Guatemala I could not find the place to hang out for a couple of weeks to practice my Spanish. That really bothered me since I like to talk to the people I hitchhike with. I guess it was a mix from many different things that made the decision to come back to the US. Anyway, the plan was for me to come asap to Vegas and help Hunter move to San Diego and then stay at his place for some time. So I left the house of "moon" late in the morning. I had no Plane ticket but was looking for last minute flights. AA offered me to play the next day same time for 512$ to Las Vegas. So I went over to Delta they where just closing Check in for a flight to Atlanta. I think I might have confused it with Dallas, because as it later turned out, Atlanta is exactly on the opposite side of the country. Delta promised to get me on for 400$ and i rushed through the Airport and actually made it. It was only when I was in the Plane and they finally showed the Map for flight information that I realised that I was wrong :) Anyway, now it was to late. Keeping in mind my last few Hitchhiking rides from the US i figured I would made it within 3 days.
I arrived in Atlanta, but had no map of the US. The Airport is extremely massive and I searched for about one hr. but without any success. I ask around and finally know where to go. I continue walking in front of the Airport. I try to Hitchhike, but its already getting late. I quickly build up my tent across the street. Finally some fresh cut lawn and no Ants. But I camp between a triangle Intersection located directly under the "take off" for the Plans. Its was the noisiest camping spot I will ever have. There was a Jet every minute taking off. I finally use my earplugs without any music. But still I almost cant catch any sleep. Next morning I get up with the Sun. first ride I get is with a guy from Guatemala, who just dropped his mom off at the Airport. Don´t know what that was meant to say. I get small rides, mostly a few exits and I have to walk a lot. The sun rises and it gets really hot. Around early afternoon I start to feel sick, I hide under a bridge for one hr. After that I suddenly fly some quick rides. But after over 12 hrs of Hitchhiking I only made it only to Birmingham. This is only 230 Km of 3000 km I have to make in 4 days. Way to slow. I camp out right next to a Hotel in the town. Compared to Latin America, here no one takes a Walk in parks or gardens. :) Down there suddenly people with machetes where standing in front of you if you not crouched to far in the bush. I start hitchhiking, and a old man stops explaining I am kind of on the wrong side of the town. He is almost where he wants to go, but drives me all the way for 30 min. to the other side of the City, leaving me on a Truck stop. I ask the Truck drivers. And I get picked up by one. Antony is a Afrom american and very relaxed, introducing me to some trucker insides. Although I only understand a quarter of what he says. Alabama Accent and Afro Slang and a endless cigarillo in his mouth make it almost impossible to understand him. He brings me all the way to Memphis, but has to drop a load on the way, and pick another up. I did not know before, but it takes all day. But at least I don´t have to stand 8 hrs in the bright sunlight. He drops me in front of Memphis. I still get two rides that bring me straight on the other side. Last with a nice Mexican. He gives a cold beer, and when I get of he even hands me over some bread. I starts to heavy rain, and there is no good place to get up the tent. There is a Hotel, I sit in front, but the mosquito's are crazy. I go inside, and ask the guy if I can hang out in the Lobby. He is nice and said np. I can sleep for 2.5 hrs and tip him 3$. I am out on the street with the first light. But the spot sucks. I hate to hitchhike Highways, especially from on ramps. I have no luck for 2 hrs. I continue walking 1.5 miles to the next exit. But its even worse. I walk another 2 miles and reach the "Arkansas welcome center" But here only elderly people stop to "Sight see". I wait another 3 hrs. But at least a little luck. I want to buy water from a Machine. I pa for one bottle, but it gives me two :) Around 1 pm a guy offers me a ride. he gets me right in front of Little Rock. I get out. The first car stops right away. Looks like I am lucky. And again, after 30 sec. A guy pulls over. My first Afro American. He only drives me 5 mins. but he gives me 20$. I wait 5 min, and get picked, the guy pays for my diner, and gives me the 4$ change. I wait 20 min and get a 40 min. ride to where I am now. Its a big Truck stop, there is a young man cleaning the area, I just give him 3$ to spread what i receive and he is very happy. Later he helps me make a sign for the truckers. I wait for about 3 hr with my sign. No success. The it starts to rain, very extensive. I am very lucky I stayed at the Gas station. My tent would not have survived this :) Now I have one day left and still 1600 km to Hitchhike. Seems impossible :) Looks like I have sleep in the restaurant I am now.... good night!