RVParks.us

I went to a friends wedding last fall — first "normal" social event in about 18 months of full-time RVing. And I realized something disturbing: I had forgotten how regular people interact.

The conversations went like this:

"So what do you do?"
"I live in a van."
"Oh... thats... cool. Like full time?"
"Yeah."
"Where?"
"Everywhere. Nowhere. I was in the desert last week."
*awkward silence*

In the real world people want to talk about mortages and school districts and what happened on whatever show is popular. I have absolutely nothing to contribute to those conversations anymore.

I've also become weirdly comfortable with long silences. In my van, silence is normal. In a group of people, apparently you're supposed to fill it. I keep forgetting that part.

And physical space. After months of living in 60 square feet, someone's apartment feels enormous. I stood in my friends kitchen and genuinely said "wow you have so much counter space." They thought I was being sarcastic.

The flip side is that RV life has made me really good at connecting quickly with strangers. I can make a new friend in a campground in about 4 minutes flat. Thats a useful skill. Just doesnt translate perfectly to cocktail parties.

Anyway. Still working on it. If you see me at a party looking confused, just ask me about my solar setup. I'll be fine.