Aurore and Salah (Tales in Van)

Where are you from?

France

When did you start your interest in exploration?

A few years back, we've travelled in a few countries by car/plane, then we thought about travelling all around the Americas 2 years ago.

What is a brief understanding of your background story up until you started seeking adventure?

Aurore was jurist in a company in Paris ; Salah was a psychologist in a few countries

What special skills do you have to help with your explorations?

Nothing special, just our experiences from our previous journeys. But from time to time we learn much more about every skill or knowledge we need during a long journey as we're doing now.

Where have you explored so far?

France; Belgium; Netherlands ; Germany; Luxembourg ; Austria; Czech Republic; Poland; Romania; Greece; Italia; Spain; Portugal ; Switzerland; Great Britain; Morocco; Dominican Republic ; Canada; USA; Mexico; Belize; Guatemala ; El Salvador ; Honduras; Nicaragua ; Costa Rica ; Panama; Colombia

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

The first countries were just explorations during our free moments or holidays for instance. Then we've started a full van life journey from Canada with our campervan from France - and it has been one year now! 

What are the top three destinations you hope to explore next, and why?

• KOREA because of the cultural differences between them and us (France)
• EASTER ISLAND because of the mystical representations or lack of knowledge we have about it
• ICELAND because of the so magical and powerful landscapes 

Where would you recommend others visit?

• MEXICO for the heavy cultural heritage and the gastronomy
• GUATEMALA for the indigenous colourful heritage
• EL SALVADOR because it was certainly THE surprise of our Americas journey (people, landscapes)
• ITALIA because...it's Italia! 

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

It's a FIAT DUCATO, model 2007.

It was a cargo van, so we've made everything into it, from the bed frame to the electrical stuff and the isolation. 

But our top three modifications are : a TRUE bed size ; a TRUE fridge ; a FULL electrical autonomy with solar panel.

What inspires you to explore more?

To discover more and more about the society, the culture, the nature and the gastronomy all around the world.

How do you engage with others?

We stay and park our camper van in the middle of the cities, like the central park for example and then people come to us and we often start conversations like this. That's what we prefer, to be as close as possible with the locals.

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

To see and learn much more about other people because for sure, they have their own representations, expectations, way of life, knowledge, and more.

What are your goals when you explore?

To discover things that we've never heard about for instance, to discuss with locals, to learn and often be amazed by the natural landscapes and by the locals life.

What are some challenges you have experienced?

It was often to cope with Mother Nature: sometimes it can be very hard to drive because of the weather ; or sometimes the road conditions are very bad (big potholes, flash floods, off road tracks).

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

Too much haha! 

For Aurore for example, it was to swim and dive with the whale sharks in Baja California, Mexico.

For Salah for example, it was in Argentina 4 years ago, to sit in front of the Perito Moreno glacier and to hear it crackling for real.

And what about all the great people we've met through all our trips.

How has exploration changed you?

We're much more autonomous, we've learned a lot about others. Now it's harder to talk in french than in spanish after one year of travel lol.

But at the same time, we're now not even surprised when we meet people with guns - not just the Army ! 

In reality, our vision of life is very different.

BUT it's not because we've been travelling for more than 1 year that we're not missing France.

What is the number one lesson that you have learnt through your exploration?

Don't believe what people say about a country. 

Explore it for YOURSELF and then after a few weeks make your own judgement about it.

How do you explore locally?

By foot, during the weekends for example. We are still amazed by what you can find during a little walk around, each time it can be different..

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

That we need and should explore more and discover the world and the cultures as they are, so not just what we thought we knew about them but through our eyes to be able to make our own judgement.

What advice would you give to others who are seeking life changing adventure?

Just GO! Don't be afraid to quit your job or life. Live that adventure at 100% as it can change you forever! And it's necessary that you will learn much more in a few weeks/months of travelling than in years staying in your comfort zone. 

So leave that and EXPLMORE the world!