It has been a while ago on Hive. For me personally, the vanlife and Portugal got into more turbulent times around my birthday. This image that I shot this year in Portugal, is exactly how I felt around that time. A little succulent trying to grow and survive between sharp rocks, dark cracks and collapsing cliffs. Also the beaten track had been collapsed. Strong waves were trying to change the surroundings, they even got a bird smashed in the white wash.
Were the good vibes and strange experiences in balance? No, definitely not. I tried to change these things in life a lot...with huge changes in lifestyle, way of thinking and behavior. It did improve sometimes, although the extreme situations that I seem to attract are still there. I realize this is just my life. Never a dull moment and always aware that the environment can change from paradise to hostility. Just accept it and follow my instinct all the time. The instinct has always been right, listing to it is still in progress.
This succulent survives on its own. Has the ability to shine, even when dark clouds try to block the sun. Off the beaten track. Hard to reach for some, easy for the open minded. Managing to grow under though conditions.
And how about Vin Diesel (my van)? We are still the same... constantly something to improve and happy with the right attention. No matter what happens, we fix it and keep it running.
Current Situation
It sounds a bit dark, I know. And now 4 months after leaving Portugal behind? I've been traveling a lot. Northern Spain, Andorra, France, Madeira, Netherlands and now Germany. And I am still partly living in my van. Although vanlife in the Netherlands is not the easiest. I love the freedom of movement, but I also need a place to sit back and relax. Without constantly looking for a new spot, being send away by grumpy locals etc. I just like to chill in a hottub with a wine from time to time. Coming back in the Netherlands, never felt so uncomfortable as this time. I worked a lot the last few months and realized I am ready for positive changes. I know, no matter where I am...just adapt the environment where you are The coming weeks I will post stories about what happend in Portugal that turned everything upside down. There will also be funny stories and nice reviews about the special places I visited along the road. To be convinued...