Teresa, 93, embarked on an unconventional journey with her grandson Jules Riss, 29, travelling more than 2,000 kilometres hitchhiking across France. The experience, which they share on social media, has become an example of trust and connection between generations.
Jules documented the journey on his social media, especially on Instagram, through videos of the route and encounters with drivers. The material will form part of a documentary about this intergenerational experience.
The initiative arose when Jules, accustomed to hitchhiking, proposed sharing that way of travelling with his grandmother years after Teresa's husband had passed away. "At first she refused, she went reluctantly," Jules recalled about his grandmother's initial reaction. Teresa had never travelled that way and was worried about the risks, to the point of fearing that her grandson would "encounter bandits," Jules said.
After several months of insistence, the two took a first trial trip, travelling approximately 500 kilometres through Brittany. Jules recounted that on the first day Teresa "dragged her feet, didn't want to show the sign or raise her thumb," but barely an hour after starting they got their first ride, initiating a chain of encounters that changed their perception of this way of travelling. They later made a second journey towards Lot-et-Garonne, and the mistrust began to disappear.
The most recent journey began in Metz bound for Ardèche and the Atlantic coast, crossing much of France. On one stretch they managed to reach Valence using only four cars. Teresa highlighted that the most important part of the journey was the people they met along the way.
The objective of the journey included seeing representative landscapes of Ardèche, visiting Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and returning to one of Teresa's favourite places. "We want to do a bit of everything, but mostly enjoy ourselves and take our time," Jules summed up the spirit of the project.
The social media videos show Teresa's transformation, from appearing uncertain to moving naturally in front of the drivers. "Now she holds the sign with both hands, raises her thumb and smiles. She's a certified hitchhiker," Jules joked. Teresa herself assured that all the drivers "were wonderful".
The story went viral for its message of trust between strangers and for demonstrating that a new experience can begin at 93 years old. Although hitchhiking involves risks, the journey of Teresa and Jules became an example of how an initially rejected proposal ended up becoming an unforgettable adventure.
