Thumbs Out: Hitchhiking Around the World in 1970, by Sally and Peter Blommer

Expand

Thumbs Out: Hitchhiking Around the World in 1970, by Sally and Peter Blommer

Ever thought about traveling around the world for an entire year—and not planning it? Well, that’s exactly what Milwaukeeans Sally and Peter Blommer did in 1970. The two newlyweds dropped everything they were doing in Milwaukee —Sally working at a frame shop and Peter selling insurance—to explore the world.

“We hit the road and I still hadn’t figured things out,” said Peter. “And I was 29 years old … All my friends had careers, not me.”

From Milwaukee, the pair hitchhiked down through Central and South America, went across the Atlantic to Europe, trekked through the Middle East and finished their trip hiking and island hopping to Japan. Their travels included intimate experiences in pre-war torn Afghanistan, living amongst villagers and cruising through Thailand’s red lights district during its heyday as refuge/zone of debauchery for U.S. service members in the Vietnam War.

Written from the notes Sally compiled in her diary through the trip, it is written descriptively, but succinctly. It introduces the characters that helped them along the way and small feelings that were of no small importance in their visits across the globe.

The book demonstrates the couple’s deep bond and their differing strengths that provided the base for their journey around the world.  The story is inspiring, because it is so real, so human and humbling. They explored the world for a year in 1970 and when they came home, they brought the stories of their journey and what they learned—after spreading a little bit of Wisconsin through the world.

Most importantly, however, the story is a testament to the amazing partnership Sally and Peter share and the relationships they formed with people they formed across the earth with little in common but their shared humanity.