My last blogpost was about my desire to live in a bus. That is so last week. In the interim, I have discovered VANS!!! A bus conversion can be expensive, finding a place to park the bus is a nagging issue, and I really need to get about making this lifestyle change as soon as possible.
As I bopped around the many delightful Youtube videos featuring bus conversions, I began to notice the videos featuring vans. I decided to check them out and discovered that, as a starter mobile home situation, vans are an excellent choice for me. They are much cheaper, parking is a much less daunting prospect, and I can get started on this next phase of my life much sooner.
I am relishing the reactions I get when I say that I intend to move into a van. On the one hand, there is guarded shock and dismay (guarded to avoid insulting me, I suppose, shock and dismay because, well, why would anyone (especially an Ivy League educated former Wall Street litigator) want to do that! unless she is flat broke, destitute, down-and-out, basically tragic. On the other hand I did get an enthusiastic, "Go for it" from my sister. She's awesome.
I am explaining why as I go along blogging. You will just have to keep reading (ha!). For now, I am saving my pennies and scoping vans.
Van scoping is such a stereotypically dude thing. I have long marveled at how the same man who will forget birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, taking out the trash and how to put dirty clothes in the hamper will remember twenty years worth of sports miscellanea and the specs of every vehicle in a parking lot. I'll admit, however, that, while part of me has always admired car expertise, I have never been inspired to develop it myself . . . until now.
I've always had a bit of the tomboy in me. I played full contact co-ed football in high school. We played pick-up games on the weekend. We wore no protective gear. I felt powerful; it was awesome. Now I feel as though I returning to my roots. That feels good.
I have started scoping out vans on the street, which can lead to some funny moments. Commercial van drivers tend to be men. Bored, perhaps, certainly virile. They see a woman staring in their direction with frank interest, they can't be blamed for believing that I'm checking them out. I'm not. I'm checking out their vans.
I've settled on two models that I like best. One is the Sprinter, the other is the Econoline. I have to laugh about the Sprinter because that choice is so typical for me. Put me in any store and, without fail, I will pick the most expensive item available. Shoes, bags, dresses, you name it, I'll find the most expensive one. Apparently my taste for luxury runs toward vans as well.
I first saw the Sprinter van in Harlem. I was walking home from my teaching gig when it came speeding past me like a sleek black cheetah. It stopped at a red light and I hurried toward it, desperate to see the make and model. The only thing I managed to make out before it zoomed off when the light turned green was an all-to-familiar trademark: Mercedez Benz. Seriously. I'm lusting for vans and I manage to set my sights on a Mercedes.
Soon I began to see these vans everywhere! I started to take pictures, giggling to myself about what passersby might have been thinking. It is New York City. Tourists are forever taking photos of all manner of things but, vans? Anyway, the day after I spotted my first Sprinter, I saw another one, same color, parked near Columbus Circle. So I took pictures. See! Ohhhh!!! Ahhhh!!!
Here are different angles of another Sprinter van. I prefer to sneak up on the vans and snap my shots while keeping a low profile.
I believe the last one might actually be a Ford Transit. I noticed the Sprinter because I had found a wonderfully well done Youtube video detailing how to convert a Ford Transit (similar body, less expensive, of course) into a camper. The video is below. One distinct advantage of a van like the Sprinter is that one can stand up inside. This is very important to me.
There are other vans that have more space. Specifically, the Ford Econoline has caught my eye. Now, I am a Ford skeptic. I remember learning, long ago, that Ford stands for Fix Or Repair Daily. Still . . . the space. . . I have started seeing Econolines everywhere, too. After a bit of research, I've decided that I really like the E-350 series with the converted top. Last night, I saw a van that pretty well matches what I think I'll ultimately end up with. Here it is! (Ohhh!!! Ahhh!!!).
I took these pictures at night, guerilla stealth-style.
I can understand if you are still skeptical about whether or not this can work. What about the weather? What about the bathroom? Men tend to ask me the bathroom question much more than women do. Go figure. In my searching about, I happened across an amazing woman who calls herself Mocha Gypsy. She hosts a delightful blog about her journey into becoming a van dweller (that's what it's called). Here is a link to Mocha Gypsy's blog; I think you'll enjoy it.
This is the video in which she explains the ingenious methods she uses to live comfortably in a van even during the Northeastern winter. Enjoy! I'm off to indulge in more van porn (yes, I said that).
No comments:
Post a Comment