{"id":6536,"date":"2014-02-18T12:08:29","date_gmt":"2014-02-18T11:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.traveleurope.com\/en\/?p=6536"},"modified":"2014-02-20T16:45:07","modified_gmt":"2014-02-20T15:45:07","slug":"digital-nomads-mel-traveling-the-world-working-in-a-van","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.traveleurope.com\/en\/digital-nomads-mel-traveling-the-world-working-in-a-van\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Nomads: Mel Traveling the World and Working in a Van"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the interview to Stephen Lioy<\/a>, we continue our trip into the world of Digital Nomads! Today is the day of Mel, a girl who, with her husband Armando, has decided to travel the world, writing about travels, but in a different way. Living in a van! Let\u2019s find out the ins and outs of her nomadic lifestyle in this interview!<\/p>\n

Tell us a little about yourself: who is Mel and what\u2019s her life like?<\/h4>\n

I\u2019m originally a \u2018farm girl\u2019 from a tiny town in Montana. I\u2019ve always had the travel itch, and started writing in my teens. My life now\u2026 I love traveling and being a traveler with Armando. He and his perspective on life are invigorating and inspiring. My life is a rollercoaster- most people\u2019s are- but I\u2019m much happier than I was in a \u2018normal life.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do you explain being a Digital Nomad?<\/h4>\n

Simply as: working online, with your own hours, being your own boss and not in an office.<\/strong> I answer to myself, and I\u2019m a much harder critic than any of my former work places. I actually feel guilt when I take a day off now, which is a severe contrast to working merely for someone else.<\/p>\n

Why did you decide to pursue a digital nomad lifestyle?<\/h4>\n

I was ever so tired of living that life, even though I\u2019d chosen Europe and the CZ in specific, I was bored, I guess. I most definitely needed a change. My passion has always been writing. To be able to not only pursue a dream, but make it happen<\/strong> on my own terms is pretty amazing for me. It\u2019s definitely not for everyone. Grin.<\/p>\n

Rumor has it that Armando involved you in this adventure and new way of living, is it so? Or is the story totally different? Tell us something more about it.<\/h4>\n

It\u2019s one of my favorite stories! We met 4 years ago (roughly), where he romanced me for a moment in time while I was living in the CZ and he was in BG. We kept up a friendship through Skype and Facebook, sometimes intensely and sometimes with month gaps. I got a text (again) to look outside my window. I went out to my balcony, looked below and he was grinning like a madman standing in the middle of the street<\/strong>. The rest is history.<\/p>\n

How is living in a van? Do you have everything you need to work and live?<\/h4>\n

Living in a van\u2026 I\u2019m claustrophobic, but I feel safe and comfortable in Mork. I feel at home<\/strong>. I do get frustrated about toilets and showers, sometimes, but I love how we adapt to almost any situation. There are times that I get frustrated with having just 2 burners for cooking. As far as being connected, now it\u2019s much better because we have a portable WiFi connector that takes SIM cards from most countries. I do like working from home.<\/p>\n

A big part of being a digital nomad is having a job that\u2019s mobile. How are you able to afford to travel? Do you make money from your blog or from freelance works?<\/h4>\n

That\u2019s a very good question. I think there are a lot of misconceptions about us- that we stay in 5 star hotels or we\u2019re living off of inherited riches. We actually both work loads, freelancing<\/strong>. I do have several regular clients, which I\u2019ve gained by going a step beyond- advice for marketing, for example. I also do new work. We do hope to build our blog Westfalia Digital Nomads<\/a>, more- there seems to be a need for info of what is possible for people outside the office.<\/p>\n

What do you love about traveling?<\/h4>\n

The same word keeps erupting: freedom. We tend to like slow travel<\/strong>, so that gives us time to get to know places and people (our preference). I also love history, and being able to see it in the \u2018flesh\u2019 is unbelievable. It\u2019s constant eye candy and brain candy for me. Definitely no boredom. Ha.<\/p>\n

What is your favourite destination among those you\u2019ve been to?<\/h4>\n

I have many faves, of course. Meteora in Greece is one of those that just got me. Cava Grande in Sicily is another. Berlin. Rupite. Paris, but I also found the French coast brilliant. Too many to name.<\/p>\n

Do you have any advice for people considering long term traveling?<\/h4>\n

Don\u2019t underestimate yourself. Adapt, branch out- and most of all if your passion is there, yes. You can. Allow for changes and both ups and downs<\/strong>. Don\u2019t forget to enjoy your adventure, it can get lost in the muck. Embrace it all.<\/p>\n

Do you have any plans to stop travelling and settle down?<\/h4>\n

I\u2019ve settled down. I lived in the CZ for 12 years, had a normal job and flat. Great roomies, great neighborhoods. But I haven\u2019t been this happy since I can\u2019t remember when, being a traveler. I- we- don\u2019t plan on stopping anytime. Keep in mind this is new for us. It keeps us on our toes and also keeps us interested in possibilities. Nah, I can\u2019t imagine settling down right now. Our adventures are just beginning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After the interview to Stephen Lioy, we continue our trip into the world of Digital Nomads! Today is the day of Mel, a girl who, with her husband Armando, has decided to travel the world, writing about travels, but in a different way. Living in a van! 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