You wonder what a life looks like on the road? Embark on Aude and his car!
Literary translation of English-speaking expression « Vanlife » , life in van envelops a whole universe: that of an alternative way of life whose word of order is freedom. Whether in Volkswagen combi or by car, regardless of the model used. Vanlife is above all a way of living, a state of mind. Be free to move with his desires, to sleep every night in a different place.
But what is really behind this alternative lifestyle? Wanderlix presents to you today Aude, who has agreed to share his experience on the roads with Wavy, his car. Originally from the Paris region, this passionate young traveler gives us his story through his testimony. And if you want to follow his adventures, it is by here !
Why did you decide to live in a car – a nomadic life?
Aude: “ So to start, my passion for the journey was born from my earliest age. Indeed, I had the chance to travel very young with my parents. So I left with my family for my first roadtrip at the age of 6: car departure from the France, to go until Jordan "!
“ Then, every year, we were making a big car trip with my parents, spending days on the roads in fashion "roots", to sleep in campsites or even in tents... It was really the beginning of the adventure, all these years on the roads that made me want to get into all this. »
How did your adventure start?
A: “ It can be said that my adventure really started in 2018. For me, it was the year of the trip. I left to Oman, Morocco or to theMauritius. Finally, there was the departure for my dream trip: theAustralia ! A 6-month journey where I traveled with other people in all possible ways: car, 4×4, tent, van... »
Photo credit: Aude
“ I have hung a lot with this way of life: being on the roads, not knowing what will be done the next day, falling asleep and waking up in different places with all the more beautiful landscapes than others... And above all, share all this with other travellers! »
“ When I returned to France, I knew I wanted to continue living this way. But, little unforeseen: the covid appeared! Finally, I took advantage of this situation where we had to stay at home. In fact, I was planning to start my business, and it takes time. A lot of time. So it was the perfect opportunity to stay focused on my project! »
“This is where I saw a post on a Facebook group”
“ After this special period of time, the beautiful days arrived and I wondered: what to do with my summer? Having family to Arcachon, the idea was to start the summer there. But that was not enough. I wanted to move, but I didn’t know how. »
“ This is where I saw a post on a Facebook group. Someone planning to make a roadtrip on the west coast of France was looking for other people who were taking part in this adventure. And it is found that the departure of the roadtrip was planned not far from Arcachon. Only I had no van, but a car break. So came to me the idea of moving this car: that’s how Wavy was born! »
What are the countries / places in which you traveled with your car?
A: “ When I came back from Australia, I had one thing in mind: travelling in van in Europe! But as I explained, the health situation that followed changed the plans a bit. That’s how I finally went on a roadtrip with a group of people on the west coast of France, the summer just after the first containment. On the roads with Wavy, my first equipped vehicle! »
Photo credit: Aude
“ Based on the concept of surftrip, the journey started from Biscarrosse. Then we went down to Messanges, Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains... We went down the coast to the Netherlands and Saint-Jean-De-Luz. To end, I've been a little bit in the air Pyrenees. »
What were you doing before, what was your life like before?
A: “ When I left for my trip to Australia, I just graduated. I was studying alternately in the field of marketing, while continuing to travel in parallel during my holidays. Thus, the departure in Australia was the real change, the disconnection of a new life. »
And today, what do you do to earn your life?
A: “ It was last May, just before I left for the roadtrip, that I launched my project: becoming freelance by working as a roadtrip Community Manager. I wanted to find a job that allows me to travel as much as I want while working. »
“ In general, my job is to help brands (and more specifically brands of organic and natural cosmetics) to make more sales thanks to Instagram. After that, I offer two types of services. Either I manage the Instagram account of my customers from A to Z, or I teach them to manage it themselves so that they are then autonomous. »
“In short, it’s a full-time job, even travelling! »
“ When I first started, I had few customers. In the end, this situation that prevents us from travelling has allowed me to work a lot on my activity. It is a real business to manage: we need to know how to handle administrative aspects, how to sell and convince, learn all communication techniques... »
“ In the end, it is a constant learning to train on a daily basis. And it’s great because I love learning, reading, listening to podcasts... Even if to be honest I thought it would be easier. »
“ Finally today, I see a huge increase in my activity. I didn’t put too long to live on it, but nothing is stable, we can have new customers like losing one month to another. In short, it’s a full-time job, even travelling! »
Is it easy to meet new people with this lifestyle?
A: “ At first I was alone, but finally there are many people who travel in this way. It’s a growing trend, so it’s not complicated to find other people to travel. »
Photo credit: Aude
“ After that, I also met many other travelers via Facebook groups. That’s how I found people to travel to Australia, it worked great. Otherwise, we also meet people on the spots and parking lots. People arrive, others leave, we learn to know each other, we even create links... »
What do you expect from the future – how do you see your future near / farther?
A: “ For the moment, I am rather focused on my business. But then, I’m planning to invest in a real van and to set it up myself to travel to Europe. In the end, it is not only the result of finding me in my van to travel and work that is important, but also the whole project design phase. Although some parts such as insulation or electricity seem complicated, I really like the “do it yourself” aspect. »
“ When the project progresses and the situation will be better to travel, there are many places I would like to visit. Whether in Europe or even in France: I would like to go back to the Pyrenees for example, travel in the mountains, go back to the Pyrenees Corse... So I really need a small house with well-designed wheels, well-thought: for the job where to face the different seasons. »
What's your greatest memory and your biggest galley?
A: “ During the roadtrip, you can find a spot near a pond to spend the night. Except the place turned out to be over. With Wavy it was okay, but for those who were in van with me it was more complicated. And there, a huge motorhome stuck in the sand! We didn't know them, but everyone came to their help trying to dessable both well and badly. This is where we realize that there is a huge community of solidarity! In the end, this little galley turned out to be a good memory, links were woven and everyone ended up playing cards together in the evening in front of the lake. »
"And there... my gazinière is on fire! »
“ In the same day, I had a problem with my current converter, I couldn’t load anything anymore. Later in the evening, I eat and there... my gazinière is on fire! So I get the gas bottle out of the vehicle, except it's forbidden and quite dangerous. To crown everything, we get awakened by the police the next morning! Fortunately, we didn’t get a fine and everything worked out. »
Photo credit: Aude
“ For my best memory, it was in the same place but a different spot. We woke up with a beautiful sunrise on the lake. It was really great, open your eyes with the rays of the sun that tap on the glass, in the middle of nature with the birds singing... The colors were amazing, a magical moment that I will never forget. After that, the Pyrenees also marked me a lot. Wakeing up in the middle of the mountain... is the dream. »
What advice would you give to those who wish to live like this?
A: “ The advice I could give is really trying. It is not worth buying a van right away to see that finally it is a way of life that does not necessarily suit you. Then it also depends on your life plan. »
“ If it’s only to make small escapades on the weekend or spend a holiday it’s very good. But if you want to live full-time, the best thing is to test a vehicle before taking the big step. This will also allow you to see which model fits you best, with such or such equipment... In addition to today we find rental companies everywhere, enjoy it! “
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