A Hitchhiker's Guide to Getting a Ride with Dad and Daughter Hope

Below is a quick list, completely unofficial, of guidlines to hitching a ride with Dad and Daughter Hope:

1. Look friendly, especially when thumbing. We are more likely to pick you up if you are facing us, but if you are facing away, we may still stop.
2. Be prepared for many questions. A large reason you are being picked up is because we are sick of making conversation with each other and/or we have run out of things to say to each other.
3. Expect Dad to interrupt you if a bird comes into his line of sight. Do not point out any birds to him that he does not see unless you want a 5-10 minute tangent on how NZ birds differ from those in the states.
4. Political discussions are welcome, but expect daughter to get heated. Also expect daughter to blame any and/or all problems discussed on capitalism, men, and/or organized religion.
5. If you possess a slight odor(bodily or otherwise) expect daughter to notice it and dad to not. Neither will mention it to you, so it is not an issue to being picked up.
6. Expect often stops at urination stations. Feel free to ask for one yourself, although that will probably not be necessary considering their current frequency.
7. Dad is likely to offer you food, daughter is not. She will especially not offer you any chocolate, so please do not ask.
8. Finally, have a destination in mind that is along our path. Dad is likely to be concerned with the drop spot, daughter will only be so if she thinks you are cute.

**We picked up a hitchiker on our drive from Franz Josef to Wanaka last Monday, and most of these guidlines were inspired by that experience.