“The biggest game changers for me were 1) not having a mirror ever and 2) not having the internet ever. Both mirrors and internet make you think about how you look instead of how you feel.” Love love love this. 💛
We spent a week in Australia recently. I affectionately call that week our "Van Life Bootcamp." We were on our way back to the States after three months of backpacking around Southeast Asia, where the prices are incredibly cheap (meals for $2 or less, lodging for $7-30), so when we saw the prices in Sydney, I just about went into cardiac arrest. On a whim, instead of renting a passenger vehicle for the week, we rented a basic cargo van, then went to KMart and outfitted it with an air mattress, two cheap pillows, and a blanket. We didn't really think about the fact that it had NO VENTILATION for the back of the van, haha! It was hot and humid, and the air mattress didn't fit between the wheel wells, and we couldn't have any air at all without compromising security and letting the bugs in. It was a crazy week--fairly miserable, but also quite the adventure! We wouldn't trade that experience for anything.
Humidity in the van is awful. We were in Ojai once and fell asleep mid-day due to the heat, and woke up all sweaty. We said, "FORGET IT" and drove down to the coast of Santa Barbara where the humidity dissipated. I'm glad you got to visit Australia, it's on my bucket list! And the extra adventure makes it even more memorable!
My biggest fear about van life is the shower/bathroom situation, but I think it’s all about mindset. If I compare it to a backpacking trip (where I’m lucky to get a sponge bath in a stream and eat a dehydrated meal), it seems totally doable, versus comparing it to hotel travel and having those expectations of hygiene and cuisine. I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the van life, and I can’t wait to get out myself for some car camping this spring, as soon as New England thaws out! 🥶
“The biggest game changers for me were 1) not having a mirror ever and 2) not having the internet ever. Both mirrors and internet make you think about how you look instead of how you feel.” Love love love this. 💛
Thanks Holly! There are lots of companies that rent vans for trips, like Outdoorsy, if you ever feel inspired to try :) We almost did it in Alaska
We spent a week in Australia recently. I affectionately call that week our "Van Life Bootcamp." We were on our way back to the States after three months of backpacking around Southeast Asia, where the prices are incredibly cheap (meals for $2 or less, lodging for $7-30), so when we saw the prices in Sydney, I just about went into cardiac arrest. On a whim, instead of renting a passenger vehicle for the week, we rented a basic cargo van, then went to KMart and outfitted it with an air mattress, two cheap pillows, and a blanket. We didn't really think about the fact that it had NO VENTILATION for the back of the van, haha! It was hot and humid, and the air mattress didn't fit between the wheel wells, and we couldn't have any air at all without compromising security and letting the bugs in. It was a crazy week--fairly miserable, but also quite the adventure! We wouldn't trade that experience for anything.
Humidity in the van is awful. We were in Ojai once and fell asleep mid-day due to the heat, and woke up all sweaty. We said, "FORGET IT" and drove down to the coast of Santa Barbara where the humidity dissipated. I'm glad you got to visit Australia, it's on my bucket list! And the extra adventure makes it even more memorable!
Thanks for sharing.
My biggest fear about van life is the shower/bathroom situation, but I think it’s all about mindset. If I compare it to a backpacking trip (where I’m lucky to get a sponge bath in a stream and eat a dehydrated meal), it seems totally doable, versus comparing it to hotel travel and having those expectations of hygiene and cuisine. I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the van life, and I can’t wait to get out myself for some car camping this spring, as soon as New England thaws out! 🥶