I grew up staring at National Geographics magazine. It was the first place that I saw a photo of a naked woman. It must have been related to some article that was written about an obscure tribe deep in the jungles of somewhere. And as a side benefit of the magazine, they also included amazing maps of everywhere. In my little world of Maitland in Florida, I could only imagine these other places and was intrigued by the lives of others somewhere along the lines of those maps. I became so fascinated that I looked forward to the next issue and began to poster the bland walls of my bedroom with them, surrounded by black and red lines to other worlds. To me, the most curious places of all seemed to be at the end of the roads, finally winding into a forest, a beach or a dead end mountain wall. Who lived there? What would they do? I wonder what their lives would be like compared to mine. So when I was finally able to drive or ride buses to other places, I became fixated on getting to the end of a road somewhere. And now after 45 years of travel, the end of the road is my favorite place to explore. Without a doubt, there are interesting people who are found where others feel the need to turn back and head out along the road they came in on. I recently met Euge and Lucas at the end of the road at a deserted beach deep into the jungle coastline of Costa Rica.
Their story begins because of bad luck. Euge was a student in the US, finishing her degree in architecture and Lucas was arriving to watch her graduation ceremony and then they had planned to begin living their collective dream to buy the biggest American van possible and spend time travelling around the States to visit the National Parks and famous cities. This was February 2016. A month after Trump took office. When asked at the airport where he was planning to stay and admitting that his plan was not to have a plan except for vagabonding in a van with his girlfriend with no plan, he was denied entry. No graduation ceremony, no trip around the States. So he flew to Tijuana and they literally changed direction and decided to head south and back to their native Argentina. A project idea was born and they named it “Republica Andante.” The Republic of heading slowly in a general direction. Perfect. And so Euge finished school, graduated, bought the van and met Lucas at the border. The van was bare inside and needing imagination and some hard work. When I met them,they were two and a half years into being the Republica Andante, they were camping for free and had rigged solar power and a water collection system at their spot. I asked Lucas how rare it was to find such a paradise of place with free rent, friendly people and great surf. He pursed his lips, shook his head and nodded, replying “these places are everywhere in Central America. Too many!” I talked with them later and they were kind enough to share some interesting insights into their life on the road.
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Can you tell us a little information about you? Anything you want to share.
We are Eugenia, and Lucas, we are from Argentina, and we know each other about 8 years ago. Prior to this project as a whole, we had had different trips to different parts of the world, but never something of this kind, something so significant and that changed the way we see, feel and live.
Euge is from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego (southern tip of Patagonia), a ski and snowboard instructor; and Lucas is from a small town, near Buenos Aires in the middle region of the country, he is a graphic designer and lyricist.
We both like outdoor life and nature, sports, travel, photography, sharing. And at some point prior to this trip, we don’t know when, we had a vision or how we like to describe it “an instant of unconsciousness” that led us to dream about what is happening today.
What exactly was your collective dream and explain how it became the Andante Republic?
The initial dream was a trip, not a lifestyle. But today is our real life. Everything we do and what we don’t, is set on fire by this new lifestyle: vanlife, a good way to live nomadic in these times. When we started talking about this crazy idea, our relationship was not the best then we knew that if we were going to do this it was to give a definitive turn to our relationship, and consolidate it through a project and a journey of this kind. So, today the Andante Republic is definitely a project that went far beyond what we initially dreamed of, and we are very happy that it is so!
Would you describe how you equipped the truck to become a small house?
La Rancha (the name of the van) is fully camperized by ourselves, with our own hands. Initially we equip it with the basics: a bed (fixed), a table (fixed) and the kitchen: that comes from under the bed, towards the rear, using only with open doors, but which can also be located inside for times of rain. And also spaces, slots, and drawers to store clothes and the first things we get for cooking, camping. Today, after more than two and a half years, we have continued working on it and we were building on that base: some things modified, or repaired, or other totally new: new roof in Cancun, Mexico that gives us more height, an electrical system fully self-sustaining (deep cycle batteries, controllers, fixed and movable solar panel, interior laying, refrigerator, fans), drinking water tanks (inside) and not (outside), and things maybe smaller, but not smaller: library, drawers , furniture and optimization of each corner, closed luggage rack and roof deck, and more details; increasing our autonomy, independence and quality of life much more than expected.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the vehicle you chose?
To be concrete and sincere, the only disadvantage that La Rancha has is the fuel consumption: gasoline, automatic and V8, the worst of the (haha) combinations. But, in turn, we don’t do many kilometers per month. We really move little, we never do many kilometers and as we go we stop as many times as necessary, and the time it takes to generate money and refill the gas tank to keep going, or not; Then in this way we cushion expenses, and enjoy each place more. It is also fair to say, that a big disadvantage was the height of the van, which we corrected with the new roof (we did it ourselves), and although now Lucas (1.80mts) can not be 100% standing, the general atmosphere of the interior is more spacious and the air runs better. Regarding the advantages, I think it’s everything else: starting with the same car. The power of the engine, and the simple mechanics gives us security and confidence; and allows us to walk almost anywhere, having a lot of weight in our campervan. The interior is very wide, being able to transport many things in order to raise our quality of life; and that is why we carry a lot of weight: in exclusively useful things, but all that we can use mostly. (haha)
I have personally lived in a tent for six months in Australia. It was a blue tent and the most difficult time was during long periods of rain. The world turned blue and we entered an almost meditative state. How do you two deal with the long periods confined in the small space of the Andante Republic?
Now with the new roof and the passenger seat that rotates 360, looking inwards, it is possible to have more activities inside, because of the new spaces we created. The table is large, then from elaborate cooking, drawing, painting, deploying tools to make any reform, or playing any board game together, or with friends. And sometimes when it is necessary to be as distant as possible (by heat or simply by tranquility) we can be in opposite corners (accompanying seat – bed) and enjoy a little loneliness. But our house, when we design and build it we think to live outdoors, then when those periods are really long it can be more difficult, and that is where we put our living together.
Why do you think most people just dream and don’t really do it?
We believe that it is because of the fears that are generated (?), Because it also happened to us, until we could realize a dream of this kind. That is why now, it is very important for us to transmit and infect new travelers, so that everyone experiences this life. We cannot say that it is easy, but without doubt it is much easier than one imagines. So surely it is that fear, of how to live, how to sustain, how to be in harmony with the ecosystem, live with everything and everyone; which keeps us away from this kind of dreams.
We also think that many people know that this life is not for them, although they love what it conveys. Because we believe that the concept of all this is so important, as well as living and experiencing it. The concept for us is freedom and conscience, giving us a responsible and totally free life, stabilizing our vanlife; then the dream of living that concept, it may not be precisely the nomad living: there are so many ways to be free, as many people and dreams: AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DEFINITELY.
How did you decide to make this dream of yours come true?
Difficult to respond to this concretely, but mainly we could put aside what the others said and / or expected of us, and the feeling of being truly free was stronger than the life we led. We encourage and make the decision, which without a doubt, IS THE MOST DIFFICULT, after that, everything gets easier. We call that “instant of unconsciousness.”
In addition to that decision, some things were built, to give a solid foundation to the idea, the project, the dream. Then from before we were predisposing, in some way or another, the entire universe to make that possible. In turn, we both have jobs that are not necessarily executable in one place, and that gave us a little more courage.
Our life was quite free since we worked on our own, without bosses or pressures, only our clients; but we needed to experience another life, to live a new life, and no doubt that ended up tilting the balance.
I think most people fear the unknown. I always wonder why people don’t just hitchhike away from the dangerous areas where they live. I was talking about this one day with someone and they thought that maybe people don’t leave because of fear of the unknown. What do you think about that? The fear of traveling. How do you overcome that?
We just talk the same and it’s totally logical. It is an incredible life this, and only when you experience it, you know that you could not have continued living without this, but while you do not live it there are many fears bothering in the middle, fears that we ourselves experience. The fear of the unknown is the macro vision, but in the micro detail: security in each new place, how I can generate money, human relationships, health, etc, etc. We understand it is totally logical, but it is necessary to emphasize and repeat that it is easier than it seems, although of course this life is not for lazy people because you have to work hard to maintain a responsible and quality nomadic life.
Can you describe the best part of your lifestyle now?
Renewing energy every time we settle in a new place. A new magic and new knowledge are ready to be absorbed, and that fills us with new energy every time! Through people (locals and travelers) and experiences is that these energies are manifested, so without a doubt, it is best to be on the move, meeting people, places, opportunities, etc!
Can you tell us a story about a time when you had a special challenge on your trip?
Oops, this will be hard haha. But maybe it’s some of the times we run out of money, especially the first one, Within a few months of starting this life on a trip in Mexico (Sayulita). The beginning of this journey was absolutely scandalous and complicated, like any major transformation in your life, so the initial expenses of the van and other living expenses were poorly calculated. Therefore, we had to go to live in a city with tourism as is Sayulita, to work whatever it is haha. So it was, and everything went well, what was a great learning, of those that are recorded on fire, forever.
What advice would you give to others who want to do what you both have done?
We talked a little bit about some basic motivation tips, but mainly we believe that if you really want to make a change in your life, you focus on the idea, and are predisposing everything, gently or drastically (it depends on personalities haha). Let everything in your life begin to prepare: your mind, your activities, your dreams, your full energy, and start closing open circles in that old life you had; and dare to take this leap. If you made enough focus and your life needs more than what you are living, automatically all roads begin to lead you to fulfill the dream. So now, you’re so close, that you start living at once.
When I travel, the reason that I choose to leave home in the first place is to meet people. I have been fortunate to know some incredible people who are out there traveling in ways that most dream of, but rarely experience for themselves. I really appreciate you taking some time to talk with me about your life before forming the Republica Andante and after, especially the two years you have spent in Central America. I really admire you both.
The original interview in Spanish is below.
¿Nos pueden contar un poco de información sobre ustedes? Cualquier cosa que quieras compartir.
Hola Mark! muchas gracias por tu contacto y tu interés en esta historia, lo apreciamos mucho!
Somos Eugenia, y Lucas, somos de Argentina, y nos conocemos hace unos 8 años. Anteriormente a este proyecto en conjunto, habíamos tenido diferentes viajes a distintas partes del mundo, pero nunca algo de este tipo, algo tan significativo y que nos cambió la manera de ver, sentir y vivir.
Euge es de Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego (extremo sur de Patagonia), instructora de ski y snowboard; y Lucas es de un pueblo pequeño, cerca de Buenos Aires en la región media del país, es diseñador grafico y letrista.
A los dos nos gusta mucho la vida outdoor y la naturaleza, los deportes, viajar, la fotografía, el compartir. Y en algún momento previo a este viaje, no sabemos cuando, tuvimos una visión o como nos gusta describirlo “un instante de inconsciencia” que nos llevo a soñar esto que esta pasando hoy.
¿Cuál fue exactamente tu sueño colectivo y explica cómo se convirtió en la República Andante?
El sueño inicial fue un viaje, no un estilo de vida. Pero hoy es nuestra vida real. Todo lo que hacemos y lo que no, esta marcado a fuego por este nuevo estilo de vida: el vanlife, una buena manera de vivir nómada en estos tiempos que corren. Cuando empezamos a conversar de esta idea loca, nuestra relación no era la mejor entonces supimos, que si íbamos hacer esto era para darle un giro definitivo a nuestra relación, y consolidarla a travez de un proyecto y una travesía de este tipo. Entonces, hoy la Republica Andante es definitivamente un proyecto que fue mucho mas allá de lo que soñamos inicialmente, y estamos muy muy contentos que así sea!
¿Describiría cómo ha equipado la camioneta para convertirse en una casa pequeña?
La Rancha (el nombre de la camioneta) la camperizamos totalmente nosotros mismos, con nuestras propias manos. Inicialmente la equipamos con lo básico: una cama (fija), una mesa (fija) y la cocina: que sale desde abajo de la cama, hacia la parte trasera, utilizándose solo con puertas abiertas, pero que también puede ubicarse adentro para las épocas de lluvia. Y también espacios, slots, y cajones para guardar ropas y las primeras cositas que conseguimos para cocinar, camping. Hoy, después de mas de dos años y medio, hemos seguido trabajando en ella y fuimos construyendo sobre esa base: algunas cosas modificadas, o reparadas, u otras totalmente nuevas: techo nuevo en Cancun, Mex que nos da mas altura, un sistema eléctrico totalmente autosustentable (baterías ciclo profundo, controladores, panel solar fijo y movible, tendido interior, heladera, ventiladores), depósitos de agua potable (adentro) y no (afuera), y cosas tal vez mas pequeñas, pero no menores: biblioteca, cajoneras, muebles y optimizacion de cada rincón, portaequipajes cerrado y deck en el techo, y mas detalles; aumentando nuestra autonomía, independencia y calidad de vida mucho mas de lo esperado.
¿Cuáles son las ventajas y desventajas del vehículo que eligió?
Para ser concretos y sinceros, la única desventaja que tiene La Rancha es el gasto de combustible: gasolina, automatico y V8, la peor de las combinaciones jaja. Pero, a su vez no hacemos muchos kilómetros mensuales. Realmente nos movemos poco, nunca hacemos muchos kilómetros y a medida que avanzamos vamos parando la veces que sea necesario, y el tiempo que sea necesario para generar dinero y rellenar el tanque de gasolina para seguir camino, o no; entonces de esta manera amortiguamos los gastos, y disfrutamos mas cada lugar.
También es justo decir, que una desventaja grande era la altura de la van, que corregimos con el techo nuevo (lo hicimos nosotros mismos)
, y aunque ahora Lucas (1.80mts) no puede estar 100% erguido, el ambiente general del interior es mas espacioso y corre mejor el aire.
Respecto a las ventajas, creo que es todo lo otro: empezando por el mismo carro. La potencia del motor, y la mecánica simple nos da seguridad y confianza; y nos permite andar por prácticamente cualquier lugar, teniendo mucho peso en nuestra campervan. El interior es muy amplio, pudiendo transportar muchas cosas con el fin de elevar nuestra calidad de vida; y es por eso que transportamos mucho peso: en cosas exclusivamente útiles, pero todas las que mas podamos jaja.
Yo personalmente he vivido en una tienda de campaña durante seis meses en Australia. Era una carpa azul y el momento más difícil fue durante largos períodos de lluvia. El mundo se volvió azul y entramos en un estado casi meditativo. ¿Cómo lidian con los largos periodos confinados en el pequeño espacio de la República Andante?
Ahora con el techo nuevo y el asiento de acompañante que gira 360, mirando hacia el interior es posible poder tener mas actividades adentro, por los nuevos espacios que fuimos creando. La mesa es grande, entonces desde cocinar elaborado, dibujar, pintar, desplegar herramientas para realizar cualquier reforma, o jugar a cualquier juego de mesa juntos, o con amigos. Y a veces cuando es necesario estar lo mas distantes posible (por calor o simplemente por tranquilidad) podemos estar en rincones opuestos (asiento acompañante – cama) y disfrutar un poco la soledad. Pero nuestra casita, cuando la diseñamos y construimos la pensamos para vivir outdoor, entonces cuando esos períodos son realmente largos se puede poner mas difícil, y ahí, es donde ponemos en practica nuestra convivencia jaja.
¿Por qué crees que la mayoría de la gente solo sueña y en realidad no lo hace?
Creemos que es por los miedos que se generan (?), porque a nosotros también nos paso, hasta que pudimos concretar un sueño de este tipo. Por eso ahora, es muy importante para nosotros, transmitir y contagiar a nuevos viajeros, para que todos experimenten esta vida. No podemos decir que sea fácil, pero sin dudas es mucho mas fácil de lo que uno se imagina. Entonces seguramente sea ese miedo, de como vivir, como sustentarse, como estar en armonía con el ecosistema que sea, convivir con todo y con todos; lo que nos mantiene lejos de este tipo de sueños.
También pensamos que mucha gente sabe que esta vida no es para ellos, aunque les encante lo que transmite. Porque creemos que es tan importante el concepto de todo esto, como así también el vivirlo y experimentarlo. El concepto para nosotros es libertad y conciencia, dándonos una vida responsable y totalmente libre, estabilizando nuestro vanlife; entonces el sueño de vivir ese concepto, puede no ser precisamente el vivir nomade: hay tantas formas de ser libre, como cantidad de personas y sueños: Y ESTO ES LO MAS IMPORTANTE DEFINITIVAMENTE.
¿Cómo llegaste a decidir hacer realidad este sueño tuyo?
Difícil responder a esto concretamente, pero principalmente pudimos dejar de lado lo que decían y/o esperaban los otros de nosotros, y la sensación de ser libres de verdad, fue mas fuerte que la vida que llevábamos. Nos animamos y tomamos la decisión, que sin lugar a dudas, ES LO MAS DIFICIL, luego de eso, todo se pone mas fácil. A eso le llamamos “instante de inconsciencia”.
Ademas de esa decisión, algunas cosas fuimos construyéndole, para darle una base solida a la idea, al proyecto, al sueño. Entonces desde antes fuimos predisponiendo, de alguna manera u otra, todo el universo para que eso sea posible. A su vez, ambos tenemos trabajos no necesariamente ejecutables en un mismo lugar, y eso nos daba un poco mas de coraje.
Nuestra vida era bastante libre ya que trabajábamos por nuestra propia cuenta, sin jefes ni presiones, solo nuestros clientes; pero necesitábamos experimentar otra vida, vivir una nueva vida, y sin duda eso termino de inclinar la balanza.
Creo que la mayoría de la gente le teme a lo desconocido. Siempre me pregunto por qué las personas no solo hacen autostop en las zonas peligrosas donde viven. Estuve hablando de esto un día con alguien y pensaron que tal vez la gente no se vaya porque el miedo es lo desconocido. Que piensas sobre eso? El miedo a viajar. ¿Cómo superas eso?
Justo hablamos lo mismo y es totalmente lógico. Es una vida increíble esta, y solo cuando la experimentas, sabes que no pudiste haber seguido viviendo sin esto, pero mientras no la vives hay muchos miedos molestando en el medio, miedos que nosotros mismos experimentamos. El miedo a lo desconocido es la macro visión, pero en el detalle micro: la seguridad en cada nuevo lugar, como puedo generar dinero, las relaciones humanas, la salud, etc, etc. Entendemos es totalmente lógico, pero es necesario destacar y repetir que es mas fácil de lo que parece, aunque por supuesto esta vida no es para vagos porque hay que trabajar duro para mantener una vida nómade responsable y de calidad.
¿Puedes describir la mejor parte de tu estilo de vida ahora?
El renovar la energia cada vez que nos instalamos en nuevo lugar. Una nueva magia y nuevos conocimientos están listos para ser absorbidos, y eso nos llena de nueva energía cada vez! A travez de las personas (locales y viajeros) y las experiencias es que esas energías se manifiestan, entonces sin dudas, lo mejor es estar en movimiento, conociendo personas, lugares, oportunidades, etc!
¿Puedes contarnos una historia sobre un momento en el que tuviste un desafío especial en tu viaje?
Uy, dificil jaja. Pero tal vez sea algunas de las veces que nos quedamos sin dinero, especialmente la primera, A los pocos meses de iniciar esta vida en viaje en Mexico (Sayulita). El inicio de esta travesía, fue absolutamente escandaloso y complicado, como cualquier transformación importante en tu vida, entonces los gastos iniciales de la van y otros gastos de vida, fueron mal calculados. Por eso, tuvimos que ir a vivir a una ciudad con turismo como es lo es Sayulita, para trabajar de lo que sea jaja. Así fue, y salió todo bien, lo que fue un gran aprendizaje, de esos que se graban a fuego, para siempre.
¿Qué consejo le darías a otros que quieran hacer lo que ambos han hecho?
Un poco fuimos hablando de algunos consejos básicos para la motivación, pero principalmente creemos que si realmente quieren hacer un cambio en su vida, que focalicen en la idea, y vayan predisponiendo todo, suavemente o drásticamente (depende las personalidades jaja). Que todo en tu vida se empiece a preparar: tu mente, tus actividades, tus sueños, tu energía completa, y empieza a cerrar círculos abiertos en esa antigua vida que tenias; y anímate a dar este salto. Si hiciste el foco suficiente y tu vida necesita algo mas que lo que estas viviendo, automáticamente todos los caminos empiezan a llevarte a cumplir el sueño. Entonces ahora, ya estas tan cerca, que lo empiezas vivir de una vez.
Sleep on Sand 