Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 18:43:28 -0600
Reply-To: Eric and Marica <eric.clarke@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric and Marica <eric.clarke@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Urban camping -- what it is not
In-Reply-To: <Pine.GSO.4.10.10308201914130.3097-100000@dax.wustl.edu>
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I am reminded of the immortal SNL skit with Chris Farley as Motivational
Speaker Matt Foley.
"Eatin a steady diet of government cheese and Livin in a Van, down by
the river."
Anyway, I have the clip for anyone who's interested. It's hilarious!
As for Urban (urbane?) camping/living - a friend of mine in the late
'80s lived in his econoline camper for 2 years in Winnipeg. He had a
membership at the Y for 30/month and that provided showers and bathroom
for him, a post office box and a cell phone. He cooked on a hot plate
(no propane) and had an igloo 12v freezer / cooler. He socked away tons
of cash those 2 years. He spent most nights in apartment blocks or
hotel 'guest' spaces worked for 2 years. Free power.
For those unaware, Winnipeg (or Winterpig if you like) is damn cold in
the winter (below zero at least from November to March and cold snaps of
-30C for a few weeks in Jan/Feb is the norm). The clever camper
realizes this is an opportunity as most appartment buildings have
electrical outlets at each stall in order to plug in block heaters,
battery warmers, and in-car heaters.
And hot plates and anything else you may need.
These are pretty much the standard from northern Ontario to BC and power
is usually left on all year.
As a second observation, I would assume that you could 'camp' in most
bar parking lots without getting hassled. I don't think too many cops
would try to move someone along if they thought he was being responsible
and crashing in his van. Just keep the key's out of the ignition!
Later,
Eric
'80 Westie "Rusty"
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Blake Thornton
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 6:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Urban camping -- what it is not
Now, I know that many people on this list have lived in their vans for
prolonged periods of time. In addition, many of these people have lived
in their vans as their *ONLY* place of residence.
With this in mind, let me tell you what I think is *not* true urban van
living:
- being on vacation and staying a few days in the city or walmart. This
is still *vacation*
- Sleeping in your van in your driveway from time to time. Your house
is right there and you are on private property -- no threat of being
caught and you have a shower/bathroom right there.
- Sleeping in your van 10-15 minutes away from home. Fairly similar to
the above reason.
If your van is your only residence and you have a "real" job, you have
my respect. If your van is your only residence and you are a river
guide or a park ranger or something similar, then this isn't the same.
If you have to wake up in the morning, find a place to shower, put on
somewhat nice clothes, get to work and pretend to your fellow workers
that you had a nice sleep in your bed, then you have earned my respect.
As far as getting caught. I lived in my van as my sole residence from
march - december 97. I slept in the parking lot at the university. I
had police wake me up 4-5 times. Until the last time, it was a male
officer who woke me up and told me that he was concerned that someone
was dead in the van. He told me to go back to sleep and even told me
that he would watch out for me. Very nice. The last time I got woken
up, it was a female cop who told me to leave or she woud arrest me. I
left and didn't go back to the university parking lot. In any case, I
got the feeling that the cops wouldn't do anything to you if they found
you. Since this time, I have found ways to not get caught. I wasn't as
smart as I should have been back in 97.
But, remember: sleeping in your van in an urban setting while
vacationing is nothing at all like living full time in your van in urban
settings.
Blake
84 Westy
St Louis