Month 1: August
I took the leap. I made the plunge. I jumped off the cliff. Well, maybe not that last one. But theoretically, I’m *living* in the van full time…
-
-
Getting Some Exercise
I have a sedentary job. I always have. It got worse during the pandemic because I felt that the proof of my productivity on the job was to respond to Teams messages immediately…. At home I usually walk or hike and do yoga. So I tried to do both here in Chile…
-
Getting Acquainted
Fifty percent of the reason I’m here is to meet people with whom I can practice speaking Spanish. And I have! And I’ve met interesting and charming English speakers as well. It takes a lot of effort. And often I’m astounded it works.
-
Getting Comfortable
On occasion, when I have traveled like I am now, staying in one place for an extended period, I’ve found myself drawn to the same couple of haunts over and over. The people there start to recognize me…
-
Getting Around
Importantly, I AM navigating this little town. I’ve even been to a neighboring city twice! But it is definitely not by knowing how to do it. So far, I credit pure dumb luck. DAY 1…
-
At the end of the day, when all is said and done…
In this new career I’ve found my way into — teaching English to speakers of other languages — I learn something new every day. I might have finally learned to be an active listener!! I’ve done a deep dive into the intersection of language and culture. But I’ve especially learned about the English language itself….
-
“Let me look on you with my own eyes”
This post is about Beautiful Things. (Not, as some who got the reference might have thought, about Darth Vader.) But first, I draw your attention to the compulsion by us humans to photograph or record every beautiful, and not beautiful, thing….
-
You can always back up and start again
I am a terrible parker. All the dents on the van are from parking. All the dents on my car back home are from parking. All the dents on the minivan I sold years ago were from parking. And this post is about parking. But it is also about a reset….
-
The map leading you home
VanLife is a little like the turtle carrying her home on her back. Wherever I park is home, in its own way. It can feel more or less safe, more or less comfortable…
-
A Silent Retreat: If only my mind would shut the f%#k up
I’ve said it before: Traveling alone is not for everyone. And it’s not just the chores, planning, and decisions that fall on you. It’s also because you are stuck with yourself. And only yourself. You really have to like yourself.
