A Chat With Pat!

Vanlife baby! How has it been, what are the highlights, what are the lowlights? What is it like living with me 24/7 haha! These questions and more will be answered below in my chat with Pat!

Jane: Welcome back from fishing, I am going to write a blog post on vanlife and wanted to do it interview style, you in?

Patrick: Can we eat dinner first?

Jane: Sure.

One helping of bean tacos later…

Jane: So if you could pinpoint just one moment, what moment would be your highlight of vanlife so far?

Patrick catching a wave in Raglan!

Patrick: I think it would probably be eating lunch after surfing, next to the beach. It is very cozy. I like knowing that 20 minutes ago I was hitting the waves and now I am enjoying a sandwich.

Jane: I loved when we rented the surfboards and surfed all day in Raglan, I think that was the first moment that I really felt like I was living the life haha! Now what about your lows, what has been the most gut wrenching moment? Was it today when we needed to buy coolant?

Patrick: The worst was before we had the van. Having to move from place to place, each place getting worse, we had to carry all of our stuff, all of the vans kept getting sold.

Jane: Ugh, yes that was rough. On a happier note we just ate some delicious tacos! Tell me, how has food been on this trip?

Always fun trying new restaurants! This picture was from Rice Rice Baby!

Patrick: Food is good but, you have a creative limit. You only have so much space and so many burners. There isn’t refrigeration. Food is always nice and tasty but you never have a 3 course meal or a wow factor. Also food is expensive.

Jane: Any New Zealand snacks that you wish you could bring back with you?

Patrick: This seems aimed at the peanut slab. The peanut slab is a 10/10 dessert, it is a pound of chocolate mixed with nuts, perfect mix, I try to go through one a week. One of the highlights of my day is laying back and enjoying munching on my peanut slab.

Jane: Talk to me about living with me haha! What is it like to be in an incredibly small space with just one person?

Patrick: It is a good thing I like you. If I was with someone I didn’t like as much there would be issues. But day to day it is fun to spend this much time with you. I would say the biggest issue is you take up too much space on the bed haha.

Jane: I think we both know that I am squashed in a corner each night and you spread out like peanut butter but okay next question. We have been meditating everyday and I am very excited about it! I feel like it has improved how I manage my thoughts and feelings, have you noticed any changes in yourself?

Appreciating all of the beauty, big and small!

Patrick: Not really, I might be more cognizant of my mind and thoughts, but, I don’t think much has changed. The most interesting thing I have learned is how persistent and continuous thoughts are and how difficult it is to really focus.

Jane: I agree, sometimes it can be tough to quiet my mind, but, it has been so nice to have the time to learn a new skill. Speaking of skills, we just graduated! Congratulations by the way, how does it feel to live without school?

Patrick: It is weird and I miss getting to learn new things everyday.

Jane: We have lots of free time now, what is something new you would like to learn?

Patrick: Surfing. I am spending time learning to surf and learning how to fish in New Zealand.

Did he catch a fish?

Jane: Yes! You have really gotten into fishing recently, any tricks you would like to give our readers?

Patrick: I don’t have any tips, I have only caught 3 fish. Maybe look for somewhere that has a current.

Jane: So what are you most most looking forward seeing in New Zealand?

Patrick: I am looking forward to the South Island because I think it is going to be a really unique experience. I think it might be more rugged and more in the wilderness. I also want to bungee jump but I am a little spooked, I want to catch some big fish and ride a wild wave.

Jane: I’m with you on that last one, I can’t wait to catch a gnarly wave haha! We have so many unique opportunities living in a van but what everyday luxury of house life do you miss most?

Patrick: I miss the fact that you don't have to put your bed away every morning, I miss a full bathroom, a desk, a computer, a kitchen, a refrigerator, a sink, I miss my car. The bed situation is the top of the list though. You end up staying in bed until noon if you don’t turn it into a couch.

Jane: I would say I miss hot showers the most.

Searching for the perfect lookout.

Jane: Okay, here is a tough one… if you could live in a van with any other person alive or dead who would it be?

Patrick: Jane, because she is full of good ideas.

Jane: Classic answer, very sweet, but someone other than myself.

Patrick: I don’t know it is such a weirdly intimate thing. Maybe a dog.

Jane: What is something new you learned about me?

Patrick: I learned how adventurous you are, you don’t get scared as easily as I do, you always swim out a little further. Although you are more scared of biking and driving.

Jane: Very true, I think I learned that you are pretty much down for anything, I don't think there has been an idea that you have just said “no way not doing that”.

Jane: What did you think about this interview?

Patrick: Pretty good questions, cute interviewer.

We can't wait to see what is on the horizon!