I was impressed. When I met her, Nadine didn’t speak all that much Spanish. And although she knew how to drive a manual motorcycle, she hadn’t driven a stick-shift car. She didn’t let stuff like that stop her. She had a vision. That vision was some combination of a home with wheels and a community of travelers that could help keep that home rolling.
And I always knew she was going to pull it off. I just didn’t know it would turn out this well. After 4 months of hard work, this yellow bus is ready to set sail.
In honor of their much anticipated departure north, I thought I’d recap the metamorphosis I’ve had the pleasure of observing. I can’t say I had anything to do with the bus conversion. I mostly played the role of cheerleader, and occasionally convinced all of her minions to take surf breaks.
A few weeks after I met her, Nadine Whatsapp-ed me, telling me that she was now the proud owner of a retired micro, a Chilean public transportation bus. That weekend, I came to visit. I had to see it.
I tried to help strip the interior, but I don’t think I had the strength to get a single screw loose. I mostly just stood around holding a hammer. It was raining and the bus roof was leaking. When we pulled back the ceiling, we found an indeterminable mixture of black mud and mold. The scope of the project began to sink in. Spirits were a little low. We didn’t get much done that weekend.
2 comments
I was so sad reading the story, I was remembering all the funny stories. Glad to read ur story Jaime!!! See u soon!
I love reading your story over and over again! Let’s go back to demolition stage, building tree houses, watching Jaimie sing and surf!! I miss you and thanks for such an amazing article 😍 X