photo: bodeswell.org
Three days ago, in Costa Rica, 5-year old Bode and his parents celebrated their first anniversary as a full-time traveling family.
Angela, Jason, and Bode Rehm have lived out of a 1971 Volkswagen camper van since August 2009. Their journey began in California and has included several US states, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
Here’s what they have to say about life on the road.
1. What initially inspired you to adopt a nomadic lifestyle?
It was one of those ‘time for a change’ points in our lives. Jason wanted to spend more time with our son before he started school. We have always loved traveling, and Jason’s always been an air-cooled Volkswagen owner. We thought this would be an excellent way to spend more time together, travel to all the places we always wanted to go and find new adventures together.
2. How have you funded your travels so far?
We saved for a long time and sold nearly everything we owned. Our vehicle allows us to camp and travel fairly cheap.
photo: bodeswell.org
3. So far, what’s been the biggest challenge of traveling?
Realizing that we can’t see it all. Even though we are on an extended trip, we have to keep moving and sometimes we don’t get to go all the places we’d like to. For example, five months in Mexico was not enough time.
4. How about the biggest highlight or success?
The people we have met along our travels is by far the biggest highlight. It is truly amazing the kindness and generosity we’ve encountered. There are so many intriguing people in the world.
5. Out of all the places you’ve been, which were your favorites, and why?
There are so many! We loved Oregon and Montana. Bode says his favorite place was Crazy Horse in South Dakota. Baja California was a highlight for all of us, thousands of miles of beautiful beaches and hardly any tourists. In Mexico we also loved Guanajuato and the little surf town of La Saladita. The indigenous people of Guatemala and the wildlife in Costa Rica are also really amazing.
photo: bodeswell.org
6. What technology do you use on a regular basis? What about internet access?
We have a GPS and an MP-3 player to make our time in the car a little more convenient. We have 2 laptops, one is mostly an entertainment system for Bode with movies and games. We take turns going to internet cafes, or we try to stay at places that have free wi-fi. Internet access is a bit of a problem for us, as we try to update our blog about five times a week.
7. How do you think Bode’s learning and development have been affected by the trip? Are you doing any formal education while traveling?
photo: bodeswell.org
Bode is learning so much more than he would in pre-school. Every day we see new things and talk about them. He plays with kids from different parts of the world everyday. He’s been in Spanish Language school twice.
We help him practice writing and reading and do activity books together. Bode would be entering kindergarten next month, but since we’ve decided to keep traveling, I’ll likely do some more formal education soon.
8. I love your “Don’t Go To Mexico” post, in which you shared a email from someone trying to dissuade you from going to Mexico because it’s ”too dangerous.” Do you get a lot of these negative (and inaccurate) comments? What would you say to families who want to embrace a travel lifestyle but are worried about safety and health?
A lot of people think we are crazy for traveling this way, but usually we don’t get too many negative comments. In one year of travel, we’ve had one instance where someone tried to break into our bus. I’ve had 3 or 4 friends back home have their car broken into during that time. It could happen anywhere – just watch your local news. While you do have to be careful, I don’t feel we are in any more danger than living in, say, Houston, TX.
photo: bodeswell.org
In general, we’ve found that people universally blame their neighbors for their problems. People in each country warn us about the ‘dangers’ on the other side of their borders, but think their country is perfectly safe.
As far as health is concerned, we’ve had terrific medical attention at a small cost. One hospital visit for Bode included 2 X-rays and 4 doctors. Total cost was about $65 USD. The same procedure cost us over $100 in co-pays in the States, and the clinic billed our insurance thousands of dollars.
9. What are your plans for the future, both short and long-term? Do you see this nomadic lifestyle continuing indefinitely?
photo: bodeswell.org
For now, we plan to continue travel indefinitely. We aren’t planning an end just yet, but everything does eventually come to an end.Our current goal is to reach Tierra del Fuego in Argentina – the end of the road. After that, we’re just not sure.
(end of interview)
To follow Angela, Jason and Bode as they continue traveling through South America, check out their blog at bodeswell.org.
I want to help you find your calm center and experience travel with courage, curiosity and compassion.