Weeks have passed since my last post. The DPRK series is not finished by far, there is so much more stuff in the pipeline. But traveling meant good business the last weeks. From Thailand to China, Korea (North and South) over Hawaii to Canada within one month took it’s tribute. The travel was demanding and at times I was more occupied with staying afloat on top of all that information instead of digesting it.
The whole mission culminated in a busy week in Vancouver, BC where I left my last airport behind me. I was eager since the first days of world trip planning to buy a van to live in during and my idea has come true. A little bit of Craigslist researching. A whole day or two in the hassle of time zone differences and the quest to withdraw a pile of money from my European online only bank account in a country that is used to brick and mortar banking left me with pockets full of Canadian dollars. My legs were shaking when I finally set out to buy what seemed the best car available.
So I bought a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan 3,3L the other day. The car was not outfitted with much more than a mattress and a camping stove. I invented a new raised sleeping pod (heavy weight shelves anyone) without using any tools. Went to Canadian Tire and Home Depot a lot more often than I would have wanted to and tried to do everything right.
The decision between a fridge and solar power or a plain cooler with blocks of ice every other day was decided for the pragmatic and cheaper cooler solution. Groceries, beer and some hours on a ferry boat later I found myself sleeping in a free public parking place next to Campbell River on Vancouver Island. And that was how vanlife started.
I will be moving the car around this island a little bit and find my way through all this. From Asia to a parking lot without proper showers but a whole lot of roads in front of me.
This is how it’s done these days.



