In May 2017, I left Australia and created this adventure. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Read on to find out more.
It's 6:11 am, and slowly, the sun is rising. I am nestled inside the bus on the sofa, listening to the calmness of the ocean. Next to me sits a fresh pot of brewed coffee. The incense is burning. At most 100m from me is the Panamanian shoreline. I watch the waves roll towards the sand through the windows and open the front door. I can feel the ocean breeze and smell the salt in the air. I am alone. There is no one else around. I am having an "epic bus moment." An occasion in which I am stoked about bus life. Why? Because I have my home, everything I need to be parked in front of my love, the sea. That said, this is just one of the many reasons living in a bus is a dream.
1. People you meet
Hands down, this may be my favourite part that makes bus life the most pleasing. The Submarine is more than a home, and it is a rolling community. Because of this, the bus has formed an international tribe and bus family hosting so far thirty travellers. Meeting new faces and sharing stories and encounters are always stimulating and the moments I cherish the most. Regularly, people approach the bus curious about our history and love to have a chat. Consequently, I am continually learning new travel tips, recipes, and life skills from people of all ages worldwide, realising how others choose to live their lives. Also, there will forever be faces to meet and greet again as I continue to voyage all over the globe in the future.
2. Get in touch with nature
Bus life allows you to have your tiny house parked amidst nature. We have surrounded ourselves with lakes, rivers, mountains, deserts, beaches, and jungle terrain. It is a luxury to continually be parked by trees, coconut palms, wild animals and birds. Nature also provides us additional benefits such as showers, hiking, fishing, and water for washing up. It is highly therapeutic to relax and immerse ourselves in mother nature and away from ordinary society, traffic, and the internet.
3. Learning about yourself
Travelling in a tiny home is fantastic; however, when it breakdowns in the middle of nowhere or water leak through the roof, you need to learn new skills quickly! However, by being thrown into the deep end and by no other choice, I have gained knowledge of mechanics and tools and learned how to speak Spanish. Surprisingly, I feel more accustomed and confident under the bus than being back in my skin clinic, tattooing eyebrows, or injecting Botox. Sometimes bus life pushes you to your limits, but overcoming the challenges keeps my mind active. I am continuously reflecting on all of these experiences and growing within myself to become the best version of myself. Bus life has taught me more about myself than I would ever know.
4. Home is where you park it
The bus is home and provides all the comforts needed to live. Our house comes with us to a new country or location we travel to. It removes the stress of waiting for public transport, checking in or out of hostels and hotels, lugging around heavy backpacks, board bags, or travel delays. There is no need to pack down or set up anything. I am grateful we have room inside the bus to fit and sleep comfortably with six people aboard. It is perfect for when we unexpectedly pull up to a waterfall or river and decide to stay for a few nights. With bus life, we drive to wherever our hearts desire with everything we need.
5. Travel
The Submarine has enabled me to explore many countries and experience various cultures, towns, and sceneries. It is a great way to be accessible on the road and escape the typical tourist route. Travelling like this allows you to find secret spots and hidden gems. Because of these reasons, I have visited many incredible places I may have yet to consider exploring before bus life. While it may be significantly slower than a regular mode of transport, I have no time restrictions and no desired end date to stop travelling, leaving endless possibilities for the places to explore. The Submarine allowed me to travel for almost three years instead of the initial six months I anticipated I would be outside Australia.
6. Live by the ocean
I love the sea. You'll find me at peace when the Submarine is parked near the beach. Having the opportunity to fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing to the shore daily is blissful. Nothing compares to the feeling of salty skin or sand between my toes. I have always believed the ocean is the cure to everything and soothes all stress, tension, and worries. Bus life has enabled me to achieve the "Australian dream," a house overlooking the seaside. Whether running the shoreline at sunrise, surfing or watching the sunset on the sand, from bed or sofa – there is no other place I would rather be.
7. Cost-effective
Bus life and regular travel or backpacking are economically cheaper than ordinary life in Australia. Living on a bus reduces the cost of rent, paying for accommodation, food expenses, and public transport. I can cook inside the Submarine and enjoy entertaining guests by hosting dinner parties on the rooftop. Doing so can save my pennies for all the tourist attractions, essential mechanical repairs, or must-do adventure tours. In exchange for accommodation, the travelling tribe and the remarkable people who have jumped on board since Chile have covered any of my petrol and food expenses.
8. Sharing experiences
It has been remarkable to experience numerous bus adventures with family and friends due to the bus. The Submarine With Wheels perfectly depicts Into the Wilds' nomad character, Christopher McCandless quote; who believes "Happiness is only real when shared." I one hundred and ten per cent back this quote. Nothing compares to sharing a smile, laugh, or cheers to breathtaking scenery or a jaw-dropping moment with a friend. Consequently, the bus tribe and friends I encountered will share an everlasting friendship that will hold close to my heart forever.
9. Minimalism
I have learnt to live with less and appreciate more of the world around me. Living a minimalistic life has made me focus on positive experiences that bring me happiness and remove unnecessary items and negative aspects. I recognised that I used to consume objects in excess by placing emotional value into material possessions that brought temporary satisfaction but gave me no personal benefit. For example, buying the latest high-tech equipment, scrolling social media feeds, or wearing the newest fashion trends. The Submarine has taught me to disconnect from those short-term satisfaction luxuries and to live a minimalistic lifestyle with less. I can now focus my precious time on my relationships, individual growth, health, family, and interests. As a result, because of bus life, I live in the moment, day by day, and focus on what brings me long-lasting happiness.
10. Personal growth
Buying a bus in a foreign country, I did not anticipate the enormous task which came along with the process. Although I was fortunate to have had help from travellers along the way, I started this project alone. There were times it was mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging. I was buying a vehicle I only knew how to drive on the road once built or building a home without any previous building knowledge. As I reflect on when it all began, my positive attitude, and determination got me through it all. My mindset took me through all the challenges and kept me motivated no matter what. I had no expectations of myself to level up too. If I failed, that was acceptable. I am grateful for continually learning and growing with each challenge, week and year that passed.
11. Simple Life
You adapt to a simpler and slower life when you live without the comforts of everyday norms. In the western world, while there is convenience, everything is possible, disposable and replaceable instantly. In simple life, if something goes wrong, you find a solution to fix the problem yourself, even if it is more time-consuming. If we lose or do not have electricity, I use candle lights at night to cook or read books. Instead of buying utensils, myslef and the bus tribe has hand-carved a rolling pin, spatula, forks, and spoons using wood, knives, and machetes. We go out into nature and scavenge for food such as coconuts, fruits, fish, and crabs. Nothing beats putting a plate of food in front of you, which we went out and hunted yourself. Instead of cooking with gas, we occasionally make a fire on the beach, spending hours preparing food. The simplicity of this nomad life is ultimately rewarding and satisfying for me.
12. Independent and confident
Due to this journey, I have gained a larger sense of empowerment in myself. It has been said to me more than once that I have the courage and guts to create the Submarine adventure and live on a bus. To me, this is normal and has been my life since 2017. But I will take full ownership of the girl power driving my enthusiasm and love of adventure that made me create this life. I know this nomadic lifestyle is not forever and will one day end. Until then, I will live free and independently, a bus as a home with an engine under my feet. As I frolic my way from Chile to Canada, I love every epic moment this life brings.
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