What was the ancient nomadic life like?

Hunting animals and gathering plants were the main activities of hunter and gatherer societies around 11,00 to 12,000 years ago. They created a community of equals, where responsibilities were well-divided and everyone knew their role. Though there were not any modern means of organizing or researching the next best place to settle, people in this culture did a great job arranging all the travels. Quite amazing in terms of logistics, especially considering they mainly traveled by foot.

There were no fancy tools, no need for money, and no sense of individual ownership. The common property was what prevailed, as nature did not belong to anyone.

There seem to be no place for greed. The people hunted just enough to eat for a short period of time, without exceeding their limits. For a practical reason, this made sense, as they wanted to have less to carry with them.

There was no need for money either, as the barter economy allowed for simple transactions. Was it an isolating lifestyle? Maybe. But although we oftentimes think of it as primitive, we should keep in mind that we still cherish many of these lifestyle traits.

Nomadic lifestyle: the past and the present.

Regardless of the number of years that pass, the value system of a nomadic lifestyle has stayed unchanged for the most part. Connecting with nature, exploration, and adventure still remain at the center of it. Respect for nature is vital, and each nomad creates a special relationship with the trees, the woods, flowers, and all parts of the ecosystem.

What has changed with modern nomads is highly related to their additional motives for choosing the #vanlife and the logistics of it. Many modern nomads want to escape from a stressful life and to even get off the grid for some time. Restoring the energy while enjoying the feeling of independence, is oftentimes the best cure for stress. However, there are also those who are not escaping from anything. They just want to get back to their roots instead. Fascinated by their ancestral past, they try to keep their legacy alive.

Moreover, technological developments and social progress have equipped modern nomads with some of the best means of living sustainably and yet comfortably. People can choose this lifestyle. This was not always the case with ancient societies. Therefore, in modern days, being a nomad is not for everyone. Especially not for those who prefer comfort, indoor showers, or abundant wardrobes.

Are nomadic feelings innate in humans?

Although the word “migrant” is nowadays loaded with mixed meanings, which are not always pleasant, it seems that there is a common pattern across times and places. People have always liked moving and exploring, engaged in curiosity, and succumbed to wanderlust. Felix Marquardt calls these feelings “ancestral, essential and instinctive” in his book “The New Nomads: How the Migration Movement is Making the World a Better Place”.

The challenges of walking long distances, keeping social equality, or struggling to get food seem trivial to the modern convenient arrangements of renting or buying an RV, working remotely from a laptop, or buying food from local stores.

It is because of all these modern inventions that sometimes we forget that in essence, we still carry many of the inner traits of the ancient nomads. One of the most forgotten ones seems to be the drive to preserve nature without taking from it more than we can replace. Hopefully, modern nomads will bring this trait back to life as they explore different natural habitats and raise awareness.

How do you feel about modern nomads? What other common qualities with ancient nomads do you see? Let’s start a conversation – share your thoughts with us.

The post Ancient roots of the modern nomads appeared first on Altered Steel.

Living off-grid, off-road is highly becoming more popular in the US. More than 1 million Americans were living in RVs by the end of 2018. This number could be significantly higher today. Shifting away from traditional stability and fixed location, people are giving a new meaning to the American dream – Nomadic. Let us dive into the perks and challenges of being a nomad.

Why is the nomadic life becoming so appealing?

“No, I’m not homeless. I’m just houseless. Not the same thing, right?” – says Fern in “Nomaland” – the winner of the Best Picture at the 93rd Academy Awards. Establishing the difference between a home and a house might be a logical first step towards choosing a nomadic life.

The feeling of self-sufficiency and liberation from the need to live in a traditional house grants independence and freedom. Living in a van, while working a dream job and not having to pay monthly rent, sounds like a great value proposition.

Who are these modern-day wandering souls? If you look around, you’ll notice that there is no typical profile for a nomad. People in their late teens, divorced women, older men, and even families with small children are joining the nomad club.

Their stories and reasons to join are different. Some are just trying to avoid homelessness after losing their jobs and as a way to preserve dignity. Others see the nomadic life as a means to save more money and live more carefree, while also reducing their carbon footprint. Then there’re wealthy nomads who are there for the sake of freedom and flexibility with a touch of luxury. Everyone has a story to tell.

Among nomads, these differences do not matter as everyone becomes part of a community that goes through similar challenges. So perhaps, the off-grid, off-road path can serve as a social equalizer, defying capitalism.

What challenges do nomads face in modern America?

Being a nomad may seem exciting at first, but probably not everyone can easily adjust to it. After all, having to use public showers, frequently change parking places, or live with the minimal amount of clothes and other personal items is not a lifestyle that fits all. This is why many people who choose vanlife, first try to test if they like it, by renting RVs for a short period of time.

Another challenge is related to adjusting legal paperwork regarding taxes, driver’s license, voting, etc, which in traditional scenarios require a fixed address. Thankfully, during the last years, community networking groups such as Diversity Vanlife, National African American RVer’s Association, or Escapees RV Club have been created to facilitate some of these transactions and to enhance the sense of community. They also provide consulting services and organize webinars and workshops guiding nomads on these issues: for example, how to establish a permanent address. As more services have been moving online, it became easier to file paperwork and ultimately stay connected.

Is the nomadic lifestyle here to stay?

Living in a van is more than just adapting to logistics limitations. It is about keeping the true nomadic spirit alive. The phenomenon of hipsters traveling across the country, or even across the world, is not new. However, the fact that people from all walks of life are now joining this community is a novel trend.

This raises the question of whether being a nomad is also a form of escapism, which will end as one gets bored or improves his or her financial situation. Downsizing to a van can reduce so much of the “regular” life stress, but will it be enough?

After all, some of this stress will still persist for digital nomads who work and learn remotely. Constant traveling and relocating can also be exhausting, and people might get a call back to fixed-location stability.

What does all this mean for the American dream? Is this dream nomadic, risky, stable, or balanced? I think there is no single answer to this.

However, I believe there is one thing that is inherent to the American dream: and that is pursuing happiness. The path towards happiness varies across people, and for some, it is being a nomad.

What is your take on the new American dream? Is it nomadic? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Off-grid, off-road: Is the new American dream nomadic?  appeared first on Altered Steel.

When was the last time you actually used a printed map to find a destination in a new place? What about using not just a regular map, but a map that tells a story of the place or its people. The whole experience would be more colorful.

This is what Hysterical Maps do. They inspire your travel ideas by allowing you to imagine what it would be like living like a local. So how did these maps become a source of inspiration for many an explorer? Join me in this post, and let’s dive together into the fantastic world of Hysterical Maps.

Where did Hysterical Maps come from?

Yes, it is not a typo and you have read it correctly: Hysterical Maps. What is so hysterical about them? Let’s start from the beginning.

Back in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, two Spokane brothers, Jolly and Ott Lindgren, wanted to bring back smiles on people’s faces by showing them that the world around them was not as gloomy as it might have seemed. Jolly, the artist, decided to draw an entertaining map of Spokane. Little did he know he was about to invent something very special.

The map came out very entertaining and lively, adding flavor to Spokane, filled with jokes, puns, and quotes. For example, one of the descriptions on the map would say: “Up this way lies Moran Prairie … but who cares.” Hence, you get the name now: not just historical, but “hysterical”. These maps were immediately commercialized and replicated for other places. They would sell well with calendars and other souvenirs. In fact, Hysterical Maps were among the pioneer souvenir items in the area.

Every map tells a story

Hysterical Maps are truly magical. For instance, each time I look at one of these pictorial maps, the Marauder’s map immediately comes to mind. All the Harry Potter fans out there should be familiar with this map of magic and mysteries. Similarly, Hysterical Maps have been awakening curiosity through the magic of their own from the very inception.

Through witty comments, fun facts, and colorful pictures, the map creators would infect us with the travel bug, inspiring us to start packing.

Indeed, Hysterical Maps show major attractions, the whole architectural layout, and even physical geography, in an original way. For example, imagine getting hold of the Hysterical map of Oregon. Studying the state on the quirky pictorial map will most likely inspire you to visit or even move to Oregon.

Now, let me paint another picture for you. Imagine comfortably sitting on your couch at home, exploring the map of California, and then another one of Yellowstone. And all of a sudden, you find yourself daydreaming about taking a road trip to visit these places in person. Hysterical Maps are speaking to you enticing you to see what these places are all about.

Which are 5 famous US hysterical maps?

Because of their popularity and originality, Hysterical Maps have been replicated for different places. In addition to the original Spokane map, other popular versions include:

• Lake Tahoe Wild and Woolly Nevada: We dare you to spot the “legal gambling” or the “Hangover factories” on this one.
• A Hysterical Map of Utah, which includes Zion Bryce, Canyon Cedar breaks, and stinking springs: Yes! All of it is the actual name of the map. And it all fits well on it along with the legend and the compass that says ‘This actually proves it’s a map!’.
• A Hysterical Map of the Yellowstone Park with Apologies to the Park: This map apologizes to the park, but I actually think it does justice to it, as it is very well-made.
• The Hysterical Map of the Mother Lode where California was born – This map offers some hope for all gold seekers out there.
• A Hysterical Map of Yosemite National Park: This one does quite a good job of presenting nature very lively through original drawings.

What do you think of Hysterical Maps? On a scale from 1 to 10 how… hysterical do they seem to you? Itchy feet anyone?

The post Hysterical Maps: Travel inspiration before social media appeared first on Altered Steel.

They may occupy a smaller niche nowadays, but vans do have their own merits and loyal buyers. So much so, that MPVs exist in a variety of different types.

From those made for living the #vanlife to the custom-fitted mobility vans, these vehicles can provide a lot of utility for some of us. So, the time has finally come to drop the prejudice. Hop on, strap in, and let’s dive into the world of vans!

What is a van?

Since people use the word to mean different things all over the globe, we need to clarify it. The international term “MPV” refers to any vehicle that provides more internal space compared to cars of similar horizontal size. To put it simply, any boxy road vehicle (i.e. with regular clearance, not an SUV) can be considered a type of van.

With that in mind, we can classify MPVs by two criteria: size and purpose. As you will see, the van niche has much more to offer than you might have thought.

Van types by size

Contrary to popular belief, not all vans are big. For instance, Japan sees a lot of “microvans” – small, yet roomy city cars, mainly used for transporting goods. In our land of giant vehicles, we would barely even register those. With that out of the way, below are the categories we can actually see in the US:

• Mini MPV – Nissan Cube, Kia Soul, and even Chrysler PT Cruiser fall into this category. Though in the US we would not regard them as vans at all, they still meet the criteria.

• Compact MPV – Those are something like supersized hatchback vehicles (the only American example would be Ford C-Max). Europeans love their compact MPVs, even if we have barely heard of them.

• Minivan (True MPV) – Here we have the likes of Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Dodge Caravan. They still have a decent customer-base that remains fairly steady from year to year. In fact, recent analyses point to likely future growth in non-US markets.

• Van – Nowadays, the terms “van” and “minivan” have become synonymous. However, actual vans are more like transporter vehicles, largely for commercial purposes. That said, a lot of them have now been adopted for the vanlife movement.

The last category can further be divided into different capacity classes, but we don’t need to go that deep. In any case, people mainly go to smaller capacity vans for personal use. Speaking of which…

Van types by purpose

At first glance, vans may seem a bit boring, but they actually hide more utility than expected. For instance, being roomy, they make for the perfect DIY campers.

People have been converting vans for camping purposes long before the vanlife trend. Their commercial versions come with windowless sides, which are also pretty barebones on the inside. That allows enthusiasts to mount whatever they want. With a bit of creativity, you can turn it into quite a cozy place with a mattress, shelves, and even an entertainment center. Some MPVs can also get off-road modifications, making camping in the woods much easier.

Although rarely mentioned, MPVs also serve as perfect mobility vehicles. That can be considered a type of conversion as well because such vans have to be custom-fitted for the job. Even so, no other vehicle type does the job that well. Minivans have reasonably low clearance and enough space to fit a person in a wheelchair.

Of course, we cannot fail to note the commercial aspect of vans. Where bigger trucks would be hindered, vans can go quite easily. That makes them perfect for small-to-medium scale logistics, especially within cities. Some vans can also transport a dozen of people and can be used as small-scale bus alternatives.

Finally, vans can easily rival SUVs in the family car aspect. Sure, they do look a bit blander and have lower clearance, but they do not have many other drawbacks. The sliding doors plus the ease of access and sheer space make up for the clearance aspect.

Should you buy a van?

If you have small children, need a lot of space, or just want a DIY camper, you cannot go wrong with a van. In fact, building your own camper can be a fun side project to try. You can even draw inspiration from transportable tiny houses. Older commercial vans can go a long way in that regard, plus you can find many of them for dirt cheap.

At the same time, MPVs are not for everyone. They fill quite specific niches and we won’t see them get as popular as they were 20 years ago. However, it will also be some time until they go away completely, if ever!

The post Different van types explained appeared first on Altered Steel.

In this post, I’ve put together a few books that deserve an honorable spot on your bedside table and will prepare you to take the world by storm. Get your inspiration flowing by checking out these books about travel. You can thank me later.

1. ‘The Alchemist’ by Paul Coelho

In case you haven’t read this classic yet, I urge you to consider it. Published in 1988, the book evolves around Santiago, a shepherd boy from Spain. Following his night dreams, he embarks on an adventurous journey to discover the treasures of the Egyptian pyramids. On his pilgrimage, the young shepherd encounters many interesting characters, who guide him towards his destination. Ultimately, Santiago realizes that the quest for the treasure has turned into a quest for self-discovery. Indeed, like all good books about travel, ‘The Alchemist’ does a great job of teaching us that the journey itself matters more than the destination.

Thought-evoking quotes about life, pursuing dreams, and persistence in reaching your goals are some of the treats of this novel. The book is not voluminous, but I can guarantee it will leave you inspired and ready to start planning an adventure of your own.

2. ‘American Nomads’, by Richard Grant

Grant is a British writer, who moved from London to the US and spent 15 years wandering across the American landscape. As part of his adventure, he did not spend more than three weeks in one place and supported himself by writing stories. In ‘American Nomads, Grant invites you on a journey to discover the reasons that would make someone abandon the settled life and become a nomad, a wanderer.

During his experience, Grant realized that the nomadic lifestyle is a choice for many. Explorers, cowboys, bikers, and even urban employees have been turning nomads. People everywhere are willingly embracing this way of life. Grant digs into the stories of these characters, narrating both: his and theirs experiences, trying to make some sense of it all for himself, and for all the readers who may share the same passion.

3. ‘Love & Luck’ by Jenna Evans Welch

This New York Times bestseller is about road trips that eventually cure ailing relationships with family and oneself. The main character, Addie finds herself traveling across Ireland with her brother Ian and his Irish friend Rowan. Addie has just been through a difficult break-up, which took a big emotional toll on her. Ian does not make things easier for her either.

The story shows us how traveling and exploring new places can heal. The plot teaches us that adventures are not just fun. Oftentimes, the difficulties appearing are a big part of the healing process. The reward of every journey is personal growth and a chance to heal and become stronger.

4. ‘A Woman Alone: Travel Tales From Around the Globe’ edited by Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick, and Christina Henry de Tessan

For a woman, traveling alone is more of an exception than the norm. Yet, there are women who have dared to break this taboo and discover the pleasures of solo travel in far-away lands.

This book is a collection of stories, written by various solo female travelers who come from all around the globe. Each narrative has its voice, style, and perspective, which makes this book special. Yet, all the stories share the spirit of independence, freedom, self-reflection, and transformation. If you are a woman who has been holding herself back from traveling because of not having companionship, then this book will definitely encourage you to get on the road and embrace the solo exploration.

5. ‘The Places in Between’ by Rory Stewart

Have you ever crossed a whole country on foot? What if that country is Afghanistan? What if you are a former British diplomat crossing it in 2002, only a year after the 9/11 attacks? Most likely, you are thinking that this is a brave, almost suicidal act, which no one in their right mind would ever consider doing.

However, such adventure is a true story. Rory Stewart embarked on this thrilling trip alone, exposing himself to the dangers of harsh weather and almost getting killed several times. Much to our relief, he has survived the challenge and narrates how, as the ‘first tourist in Afghanistan,’ he witnessed culture clashes first hand. If you are already curious about his narrative, then you will find this book very captivating. This non-fiction travel thriller has received interesting reviews from the critics.

Regardless of the destination, the journey itself offers challenges to embrace, opportunities to grow, and memories to cherish. Are you curious about any of the books above? They can be not only a source of inspiration for your next trip but also a good travel companion. Are there any other books about travel that should have been on this list? Share with us in the comments below.

The post 5 books about travel to inspire your next adventure appeared first on Altered Steel.

People may be tired of the quarantine. Yet, they are afraid to fly, hesitate to travel long distances, or book hotel and Airbnb stays. Enter Recreational Vehicles! The need for guaranteed safety has boosted the demand for RVs this season.

According to the Global Market Insights Report, “The Recreational Vehicles Generators market in the U.S. is estimated at US$175.6 Million in the year 2020”. RVs are viewed not only as a means to travel safely but also to avoid social gatherings or space sharing with others. Hitting the road in your mobile living quarters seems like the perfect solution to getting away in search of new sites and experiences this year and beyond.

However, you may naturally wonder: is it better to buy an RV, or simply rent it? The simple answer: It depends! In this post, I will share the different factors you should consider before you make your decision.

What to consider before buying an RV?

Buying an RV is not an easy choice to make. It requires careful consideration, especially if you haven’t been around Recreational Vehicles that much. Contrary to renting, it does not limit you in terms of mileage, time, or insurance costs. Thus, if you are frequently on the move, then your return on investment will be quite high.

Yet, keep in mind that buying an RV is a long term investment which may not always be easy to sell. It is true that now in the pandemics situation, there is a high demand for RVs. However, if this behavior turns out to be a fad, then, the RV prices will drop, making it more convenient to keep, rather than sell. You do not want to be stuck with it if you later find out RVs are not really your thing or you like some other model better.

Living the #vanlife is not for everybody. Before you go all in and spend all your savings on a mobile home, you need to be sure you like it. Therefore, before buying an RV, I would recommend getting a taste of this lifestyle by renting one for a couple of weekends. Check if you feel comfortable living in a limited space, without the normal kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Allow yourself a lot of time to research RVs. After all, you are buying a house and a vehicle simultaneously – quite a decision to make. You should also get a mechanic inspection before signing the purchase papers. Buying an RV that may leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere is the last thing you want.

When is it better to rent an RV?

Renting an RV is the best option if you simply want to spend a weekend away, or try different RV types. This way, you would not have to invest a lot in something you won’t be using frequently and also you won’t need to worry about maintenance costs.

Usually, the rental companies make sure to periodically check their RVs, so you will get the maintenance part out of the way. The rental costs vary from $50 for a simple trailer up to $200 per night for a Class B. Compare this to the range of the RV purchase prices from $40,000 to $300,000. Steep for something you are not planning on using much.

If you are renting an RV to test the #vanlife, before committing to it long-term, use this opportunity to check which RV features you like and what you can live without. How would your perfect RV look like? Sometimes, you may be tempted to invest more in some luxury additions that you won’t use, such as a TV, for example. Renting an RV is a perfect opportunity for that. A simple test drive won’t do in this case.

How to ultimately decide between buying and renting an RV?

RVs are definitely a booming trend right now. Yet, this doesn’t mean that we should be carried away since buying an RV is an important decision.

Keep your feet on the ground and be honest with yourself. How often do you plan to be on the road? How far do you plan to travel? Will you be bringing pets along?  And finally, romance apart, is #vanlife really your thing?

Hence, if you plan to use an RV for most of your weekends or long vacations, driving long distances and enjoying this lifestyle, then from a cost and psychological satisfaction perspective, buying an RV is a better option than renting it.

Do you own an RV? Are you on a hunt for your dream model? Share with us in the comments below.

The post Renting vs buying an RV: How to make the choice? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Vanlife is exciting and adventurous. It gives you freedom and a sense of escapism. You can enjoy yourself and live your best life at all times, except, maybe, when winter approaches. That’s when you may start hearing voices in your head saying that this Van Life was not a good idea after all.

But don’t let those voices keep you away from living the life you chose. The experience that makes you truly happy. There are many ways to winterize your van and stay warm during the brutal season. And that is precisely what you are going to find out in this post. We will offer you some tips on how to weather the winter living in your van.

Tip #1: Insulation

This is the number 1 tip all vanlifers swear by. Without good insulation, all your winterizing efforts will go down the drain. We can’t stress enough the importance of this step. Insulating your van an all sides, as well as the ceiling and the floor, is a must. During your build-up process, make sure to cover any other parts or gaps of the van that can easily let out the heat. Like windows, for example. Covering them up will also keep you away from prying eyes.

Insul-Shine, which is also used for home isolation, is the best material out there that serves a double purpose when used to cover the windows. You can use its reflective side to protect you from getting unwanted heat inside the van during the summer. During the winter, all you have to do is flip it and use the reflective side to your advantage and increase the overall temperature inside your van.

Tip #2: The magic of hot water bottles

While there is nothing magical about hot water bottles, it is a wonder what you can achieve with this simple trick in no time. Not only is this the safest method, but also the cheapest one. Simply place a couple of water bottles at the end of your sleeping bag or inside your blanket to keep your feet warm, and voila!

Tip #3: Make yourself a cup of tea

Drinking hot beverages will make you feel the warmth at the core of your body. Making a tea before bed will also heat up your van pretty quickly once you boil the water. It is super easy and will cost you almost nothing. Just do not drink black teas or any caffeinated drinks before bed, unless you want to stay awake during the night.

Tip #4: Learn the art of layering

Invest in good winter clothes, because you are going to need them. You can also use several layers of blankets during the cold nights to keep you warm. This way, you will sleep more comfortably and can remove the covers easily in case it gets too hot.

Invest in several cold weather blankets that you can layer and give the van a cozy feeling. Plus, they look great in case you love taking cute pictures for your Instagram feed.

Tip #5: Get a dog

Now, this might not be a tip for everyone, but having a snuggly dog will keep you warm on cold winter nights. Especially if you are traveling solo. Many dog breeds excel in a winter climate, so they might be a great help when it comes to keeping you warm, keeping you company, and offer you security.

Tip #6: Use all types of heaters you can get your hands on

Whether it is an Espar heater, a Mr.Buddy Propane heater, turning the van heating on, or installing any other kind of heating devices in your van, go for it. If it keeps you warm whenever you need it, then there you have your answer. Be careful and don’t leave the heaters on during the night though. What you can do is turn the heater(s) on a few minutes before you go to bed and then turn them off and bury yourself under the sea of blankets.

Tip #7: Physical activity for the win

Let’s get real. No one wants to get out of their warm bed in the morning and head outside into the cold and snow. But bad news, it turns out you should.

Starting your morning off with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and some exercises, a long walk, or simply getting out of bed and moving is what’s going to jump-start your metabolism and keep you warm. You shouldn’t stay inside the van all the time just because it is winter and it is cold or snowing outside, right? So give yourself a push and know that you will feel much better afterward. If you also have a dog, you have one more reason to go ahead with those long walks.

Tip #8: Keep on moving

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think it’s pretty genius. You want to survive the winter, or better yet, get away from it. Then, how about you keep on moving and leave the winter behind? Why not take advantage of your 4-wheel home and move wherever there is no winter, no snow, no ice?

Maybe it will be a lot for some people to move across the country just to stay warm, but it will be worth it. Some of the places where you can escape winter and keep yourself and your van warm are St. Petersburg, Florida; Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Golden Isles, Georgia. Other parts in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Delaware, and North Carolina are also perfect places to experience warm winters.

By moving to warmer states during the brutally cold season, you will not have to worry about winterizing your van. You will have the chance to explore new cultures, savor new cuisine, make new connections, and discover new places. You will be living in a “warm bubble” and will never have to deal with the cold months ever again. Just some food for thought…

Did you like any of these tips in particular? Do you know any other tips that are great for winterizing your van? If so, please, share with us in the comment section below. We would love to learn more creative ideas or secret tips from you.

The post #Vanlife hacks: How to weather the winter appeared first on Altered Steel.