The Beast and me

I could write a book about the adventures the Beast and I have been through. This car has been perfuming me with the scent of freedom. And sweat, as there is no airconditioning to be found. When no one else had faith in her, I did. I looked further than the obvious issues like rust and old tires, a broken light. And the hidden issues: holes in the gas tank, oil leaks, a loosely hanging exhaust. "So what", I said,"no one is perfect!" We made it work all fine and dandy, maybe a bit louder and more rough than the average car, but rusty old trucks are nothing new in Canada and the USA.

Being a woman without night vision, travelling alone in a bric-a-brac car, I've been taking it really easy. The Beast started making new sounds, some things definitely felt like falling off and when even the cassette player spit out what I had fed her, I got worried. I parked, gave the car a motivational speech: we can do this! Let's show the USA what we've got in store! Imagine all the adventures we're going to be living! Road trips 4 life! I stepped back in, started The Beast and drove through the giant Sequoia trees. Until after ten minutes, the exhaust fell off. 

I ran across the street to pick up the hot piece of rust and panicked. It was dark. I had no idea how bad this was. "Is my car going to blow up?" I asked a passing driver seriously. The lady smiled and told me to spend the night at the Chevron gas station, where the mechanic would be able to have a look at it in the morning. Relief rushed through me. Thank goodness for people who know, or pretend to know what they are talking about!

At the gas station, they told me it was okay to sleep in my car on their parking lot, "but on your own risk. Things get dangerous out here at night." Stereotypes of crazy Americans with guns ran through my mind. "Okay, bye!" I yelled and drove a couple of meters further, where I saw a bed and breakfast. I stepped through the doors of Rio Sierra Riverhouse and told my story to the lovely lady who owns the beautiful place. Happy to help out a damsel in distress, Mars showed me my very own hotel room. 

I was about to cry tears of joy. After months on the road, it felt so incredibly nice to treat myself to the peace of mind and comfort of a room of my own. I filled up the bathtub and washed all car worries away. The Beast will be fine and the road trips unforgettable! As I dozed off in a soft puddle of pillows and blankets, I thought: travelling can be exhausting.

Don't get me wrong, I love it all. The long drives, sticky situations, crazy adventures, waking up and not knowing what will happen and where I am going to sleep that night. I love that my cocoon of comfort is so far out of sight, it's just a dot in the distance. While I also have my cosy little home on wheels with me wherever I go. 

That night, I dreamt the past year and a half away. Like it was the first time I reflected on everything that had happened while living in Canada and the USA. I slept a thousand sleeps and woke up feeling fresh. The mechanic couldn't help me, but told me I could drive without the exhaust. "It doesn't harm the car, it will just be loud." And loud she was, that crazy Beast. A five minute drive left me with a ringing in my ears. I smiled, because I saw myself in her. 

Seeing the Rio Sierra Riverhouse in the daylight was a wonderful surprise. The beauty of the river and breathtaking scenery! Arriving somewhere in the dark always carries the comforting weight of surprise. It felt like Christmas morning! While enjoying french toast breakfast covered in syrup, I talked with the ladies who work at the b&b and felt at home. First of all: desert for breakfast! And the conversations left me so inspired I wondered if all these travels, winding roads and long drives were needed to lead me here. To Rio Sierra Riverhouse in Three Rivers. Where brunch is sweet and the talks even sweeter. It felt like I found the destination of the journey. It was hard to leave, but I had to get The Beast home before she would completely fall apart. It was a long, sweaty, noisy drive home, but we made it to Santa Cruz just in time for sunset. Pure romance, that Beast.

Vancouver Island lovin'

It's been two months since I moved to Vancouver Island and I am feeling settled in. As if I've been here all along, like the trees in the magical forest of our backyard. I unpacked my backpack for the second time and surprised myself on how many items I have been gathering over the past months. Living in a house requires a certain dress code. It's all about house coats and funky aprons. So when the thrift store had a  50% sale, I went all out. 

With summer in mind, I found myself trying on tutus and wedding dresses. One shiny dress with pink bows and other hilarious ugliness made me fall in love. So my festival outfit is checked off my shopping list. While planning sunfilled adventures and road trips, I am working three jobs and exploring everything Cumberland has to offer. 

When I arrived here two months ago, people would ask me why I moved here. Did I have a plan? A job? Did I follow the love of my life to this tiny village on an island far away from home? I replied with a triple no and a smile, pointing out of the window, at the trees and mountains and ocean. THAT's why I moved here. Often the response was: "oh nice. But you do realise there are no jobs and single men here?" Smile on repeat and a little bit of a panic in my brain. I handed out resumes like a maniac, went to career fairs and checked craigslist every hour. No jobs. One month passed and as soon as the snow storms calmed down, I got a call for a job interview. And another one. And another! Three interviews lead to three jobs and I couldn't be more grateful to work for small, local businesses. 

I have never lived in a little community where everyone knows everyone. It feels good! It means you work with friends, live with friends, party with friends. Cumberland is a special place filled with wonderful people. Sunny mornings drinking coffee on the porch, yelling good morning to everyone walking by. Saturday night dancing to funky tunes and Sunday mimosas and live blues for brunch. Morning shimmy shakedown and dance hall classes. Late night writing. Icy cold lake skinny dipping. Snowy mountain adventures and forest missions. Ecstatic dancing and steam room chanting. All the goods to soothe my soul.

Oh, and the summer is already happening in my mind. My feet got ridiculously itchy last week and I daydreamt of road trips and camping under the stars. I started looking around for a vehicle. This morning I woke up and found my dream car. I bought it without blinking. I can't wait to move into my little house on wheels and take it for adventures. River baths, bonfire coffees, starry skies and endless journeys. Bring it on. 

Fast and furious

I'm not even going to try hiding my enthusiasm: WE HAVE A CAR! Does this mean I am a grown up now? I don't have a licence, but I'm proudly sharing motherhood with Tinne over our first born car. Our own little rental pussy wagon, named Boris. The last weeks, we spent our days cruising along the West Coast like there is no tomorrow. At least if cruising means driving on the left hand side of winding roads where you can hardly reach 20 km an hour. Tinne driving, me shuffling (like a DJ, not a member of LMFAO) and both singing. As we are two girls roadtripping around New Zealand, I decided the music should be as female as possible. You can't play Shania Twain in a car full of guys now can you? Only Britney Spears can meet the love of her life while blasting 'man, I feel like a woman' in his ears in Crossroads. We are no Britneys, so our throats got soar from shouting along with Nina Simone, Tracy Chapman, Justin Timberlake and all boysbands in the world.

The blue car is ours, the silver one just stood there to pose with.