Hobo tourism/Overnight stays in long intercontinental journeys/At the cemetery



An overnight stay in cemetery is one option getting sleep for the travellers practising hobo tourism methods. Cemeteries in some countries are ideal for this purpose. See below for a list of places around the world where this method can be used, as well as the pros and cons.

Where and how?
The method is not applicable in every country. It was tested by the Russian traveller Viktor Pinchuk in Japan and Taiwan. The positive factor in this case is that the inhabitants of the above countries (as if showing care for travellers, who use methods of hobo tourism) do not place portraits of the deceased, who could materialise in dream and appear to a sleeper. In addition, the tombstones dont have frightening dates of life (or they are written in hieroglyphics). Given the similar mentality of the population and the low crime rate, it can be assumed that a similar result is to be expected in South Korea and Hong Kong.

Members of Russian traveller Anton Krotov's expedition, on their way to Sudan through Egypt in 1999, noticed the inhabitants City of the Dead occupying crypts on the outskirts of Cairo: almost every one was inhabited by a poor family; some of the cemetery buildings were empty, which the travellers took note of. In analysing the above, conclude that this method is also applicable in the Arab territories In countries with high levels of street crime, however, sleeping in cemeteries is strongly discouraged. These include: Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Venezuela, South Africa (cities such as Johannesburg and Pretoria).

The equipment
A standard hobo tourists kit: a ground pad, an inflatable pillow, a blanket or a sleeping bag (the latter is essential when visiting colder areas). It is not advisable to pitch a tent (particularly in bright colours): it may attract unnecessary attention, and there is no telling how the locals will react to such actions.

Why?
Used on a one-off basis in countries with high hotel costs and low crime rates, usually during a transit stay in an area of a settlement. It is not advisable to sleep in a cemetery for a lot of times: if you stay somewhere for a few days, it is possible to find more suitable accommodation in the meantime.

Why not go to sleep on a park bench if there is no crime in the country? Indeed, such an alternative is possible. However, a cemetery is a quiet place, with no visitors at night; a person sleeping on a bench can be the object of attention from the police (who, upon noticing a foreigner, might think that his or her visa is not in order), the guard of the area used for sleeping, or curious passers-by. Of course, in the end, the police will sort out and the curious passers-by will leave after asking you a few questions, but part of your night's rest will be spent awake.

For information
There are reports online that poor people in the Philippines, like the Egyptians, use cemeteries as permanent residences.