Keep reading and I will introduce to you in a two part series to two of my great friends, La Rosa Luna (Rose for Short) and Ily Cortez.
First up meet my #CamperBabe friend who I met last year at a cool Halloween party in West Oakland. She is also a November baby like me on the Scorpio/Sag cusp and we clicked instantly and I enjoy visiting her Camper for girl time and was like, "Oh My God, Rose...You have to share your story with the women of the world. They have to know about the magic of living creatively in such a space that holds such freedom." and well now here we are.
Originally from Santa Barbara, CA. Rose now lives in West Oakland and here is her fairy tale about camper life.
What inspired you to live such an unconventional life in a RV?
My life has been unconventional, so living in a way that is not convenient from the perspective of our society or culture is very natural for me. It’s not even so much the fact that I am used to an unconventional life but that I could not imagine being any other way. I would have to change my ethics and morals to live in this world, rent a room, have a job that pays the kind of rent it costs to live here, and sort of forget that which inspires me because I would be too wrapped up, or trapped, in the structures that most people find them selves living. Which is generally thrust upon them. Ever since 9/11 our economic climate, political climate and social system have shifted into a space where critical thinking is a rarity. Radical thinking is not common knowledge. Questioning notions of comfort is not common. Thinking about navigating privileges we have been born with are a rarity. And thinking with the heart is a rarity. I have been forced to be conscious of a lot of these complex ideas and realities because I grew up in the system and have been in Foster homes from a very young age. I most of the time find myself unable to understand or relate with people because I didn’t have a family that could project confidence in me and the experience of not Having a space of my own to feel safe has dominated my life, especially in the Bay Area where there are a lot of privileged youth that are not navigating their shit. I have felt the direct affects of this kind of ‘Lord of the Flies’ environment that exists here, being displaced time and again by troubled kids that had more power than they should have been allowed, and very little compassion or knowledge of what it was they were actually doing, or who it is they really are. Living in an RV is the only way I could have a space of my own, it is my safety and sanctity. No one can take this away from me.
How long have you lived in a RV?
I have been living in my RV now for 9 months exactly. I had previously bought it a year ago this month, it was in the shop being repaired for nearly 4 months, I endured a lot of hell to get here.
Do you plan to travel more with your RV?
I plan to travel with my RV! It needs a little more work, and I’ll be here in the Bay finishing my education and working so I have plenty of time to prepare. I have an affinity with the desert and have plans to run away into it one day and kind of disappear. I also want to travel up north where other people are living this way and experience a community more like my own because so much of that kind of thinking has left the Bay. I even think about shipping it over sea’s one day when I’m ready to get the hell out of here.
What are some of the perks?
The main perk is that I don’t have anyone in my business. Living with people isn’t easy, especially when your almost 30. Living with people is especially difficult if you are systematically disadvantaged like myself. People can often times get really high off of power and when people don’t have self respect or know how to be with themselves they can Wiesel themselves into your life and suck your energy. When you don’t have a lot of support or an identity connected to a family it makes it a lot easier for negative or tyrannical people to deconstruct a lot of the work you have done. Work that they can’t even see or understand. I don’t have to deal with that anymore. The other perk is that I am not stuck and never will be. Obviously, I can leave a space and take all my things and myself with me in the blink of an eye. Freedom. Like the documentary film that I love so much says, (‘Tiny,’ which is about the construction of small or tiny living) ‘’when you live small, the world feels bigger.’’
What are some of the hardships?
The hardest thing about this kind of living is the location. For example, here in the Bay Area it is just still barely possible for myself and others to live this way, in a trailer or camper in a back yard, lot, or even drive-way. But just barely. Soon it will be an issue because of the looming demographic change and I won’t even give a shit about this place anymore because whatever ‘culture’ existed here is displaced in essence already.
I guess other things could be seen as being difficult, like needing to park somewhere safe and with people that would accept me into their community and give me a bathroom and shower to use (mine are still in the process of repair) and perhaps it will be much easier once I have repaired these things. I honestly don’t see any of this as problematic. After having me homeless, family-less experience, it really is a complete and total joy to wash my dishes in a little bucket in my sink, to only have one burner to cook food on, to pee in a little rusted tea kettle that I keep in the non working toilette--who the fuck cares? I’m happier than most people that have all of their needs met.
Basic maintenance is a must…. But who’s complaining?
I own my house. My self.
I don’t need many people around. My safety affords me self love and self respect that are beyond what any superficial scene could give to my ego. I don’t think many people could even get half of what I receive from this living situation. In some ways a difficult childhood is a privilege because I know the truth about security. I would rather live in this RV for the rest of my life than have a room of my own or a house of my own. I don’t have to live in other peoples space any more. I don't need to fuck with that other people have to feel good about myself. And i don't need anything but myself and the love of friends to be happy. I'm good.
Any inspiring words to ladies who might want to become an RV living girl?
For people, especially women or female identified, or feminine spectrum folks out there; I would just say that this is only meaningful if you know how to be alone. Other wise, it’s probably just a fad that will play itself out n your life. it’s not hip and cool. This is about survival and separation. Doing your own thing. Being autonomous, and maybe somewhat of a necessity because you are a little poor. If your heart is in it you can do it.
Thank You Rose for being an Unconventional Woman in this day and age encouraging women to be liberated and free.
Keep in touch with Rose on Facebook.
Thank you for reading Part One of this two piece journey. Stay tuned for Part Two coming next week with Ily Cortez.
Peace and Rainbows. Lots of Unconditional Love.
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