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Requiem for my Adventure Van
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!! Get some water now!” I screamed at my daughter as I looked at the small flame under the hood of my 2003 Volkswagen camper. I ran to the driver’s seat to grab a water bottle and returned to a larger flame that had multiplied into three locations. The “set the van on fire” incident was one of many memorable highlights in this beautiful relationship. I’ve been reflecting on this memories now that the van has taken her last trip with our family this month.
Stepping back in time, I first met this beautiful 2003 VW Eurovan in the fall of 2019. It was love at first sight. She was sleek silver-gray and reminded me of the grace and agility of a regal elephant. As I drove her for the first time, I was strong and powerful from my elevated perch above the road. As I learned her secrets— easy transformation into a sleeper home, efficient storage under the seats, swiveling chairs and a mini dining room— I could envision seamlessly folding her into my life and having my family become more with her in it.
1. First forays into camping and road trips
I’ve always valued adventure, exploration and travel. Throughout my life, much of this travel has been by plane to explore new global destinations. Having grown up in large cities and with Asian parents who couldn’t imagine wanting to sleep outdoors, I was first…
