Even having a prestigious job in Los Angeles, an apartment, a car, you can at one point drop everything and set off to travel the world in an old van.
He will become a home. You will have to forget about the familiar coziness. Much will change, but man will become much happier.
A year ago, Olivia began looking for a used van. Many regretted and sympathized with her. They did not know that life on wheels was her cherished dream.
Old life
It all started in 2016. Exhausted by work in a PR agency, Olivia realized that her previous life did not suit her. I wanted to change everything, go where my eyes look.
She quit, sold the property, packed a hefty backpack, and set off from Los Angeles to New Zealand.
In three years, she had seen eleven countries, but still did not intend to return. She traveled thousands of kilometers on an old car, nicknamed Birdie (Birdie).
Perhaps someone will be skeptical about her idea of happiness. Yes, she can't take a shower and watch TV every day, but this van is all she needs. This is a home in which you can eat, sleep, work.
How it all began
Her fascination with nomadic life began with the purchase of a 1995 minibus in New Zealand. It was great to wake up every day in a new place. On the way, she met Matt, who, for the sake of traveling, abandoned office work and moved to live with her. Coming from the first person.
We traveled for several months until our visas expired. We sold the van and continued the adventure in Australia. There we bought a four-wheel drive Mitsubishi with an awning on the roof, drove it for almost a year.
Having experienced all the charms of life on the road, I knew exactly what I wanted. Returning to the United States, went in search of a bus for a longer period.
Income
My father is a great carpenter. Two months later, he turned an old car into a cozy nest. With my ideas and his skill, he got a second chance.
In just six months, starting in February 2019, Matt and I traveled to 15 states and two Canadian provinces. Impressions of the sea.
Many are interested in what we live on? On the way, we are always looking for a side job. We take on any job: from harvesting in the vineyards, painting houses to cleaning hotels. When we’re on the road, Matt’s photos become money.
We often stop at roadside cafes. There you can work. I try to get comfortable at the window with a socket. In those days, when I sit in the van, I use a car charger for a laptop.
We are extremely economical. The less we spend, the less we will have to earn. Our monthly budget is around $ 2,000 for two, including fuel, food, and occasionally a daily gym membership (to take a shower).
The bird is designed like a small house. Inside, everything is pretty rational. Kettle, shoes and bookshelves have their own place.
If you lift the sleeping mattress, you can find a small warehouse for clothes, portable chairs, tents and camping equipment.
Our kitchen is not much bigger than a bed. Water flows from two PVC tanks on the bus roof into a copper mixing bowl. Draining is done in a large bucket at the bottom of the bus.
When it's warm outside, we hang a portable shower on a tree. In fact, this is a black bag with a volume of 19 liters. We use a folding bucket as an improvised washing machine. Pretty comfortable.
Our refrigerator is a converted old suitcase. We make purchases at the supermarket at least once a day. We have a gas stove with two burners, a pan and two pots.
Perhaps this old bus will someday see other continents, but so far in North America there are many interesting things.