The Caravan

The Monday sun had risen and so did I, from my lovely perch atop our travel van.  I slept in the penthouse, which was a very cozy pop-up tent attached to the roof of the vehicle. It turned out to be quite comfortable compared to the floor I had been sleeping on for a few weeks (not bagging on you Justine). As I climbed out of my ceiling sleeper I realized, that yes, the sun had risen, but it was blocked out by a lovely “Victorian day” grey. Bananas and cornflakes, quick teeth brush, slather of deodorant, and we were off in search of the sun.

My first leg was with Joana. She was 24, blonde, blue eyes, German, and had many stories to tell. Joana had a pretty extensive travel record. She had even spent 10 months as an opare in the U.S. where she had dinner with the Obamas’. She was recently in between jobs so she decided to travel Australia. She told me all about her family, about holiday traditions, and about how she also left someone behind. It was extremely inspiring listening to her “Why not?” attitude towards travelling and new experiences. Earlier in her trip she had met Svenja, a recent high school graduate, who was still so new and green to the travel scene. Joana took her under her wing and together they drove up and down the East Coast with a few other travelers. 

My second leg was with Aki. He was 28, German/Ukrainian, and a rapper. He was full of questions about the U.S. We discussed our policies, governmental issues, and social environment for young adults. He was very upset with the types of pressure that society has placed on people our age. Germany seemed to have the same social construct as in the U.S. You go to school, get a girlfriend, graduate, get a job, get married, buy a house, and have kids. Everybody’s dream right? He was so upset with it that he rapped about it. It was extremely impressive. Check him out on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpU0EWipBks