A dangerous conversation - people we meet in Mexico no.1

When we decided to join a Montessori school in Oaxaca, Mexico (for 2 terms), we were definitely the only people that we knew doing it.  So I've always been curious - whoever else would have the same idea?!  

So I want to introduce you to the people we meet here.  Like how you and me met, I believe no one met randomly - we are pulled together by the invisible strings of destiny.  Now I'm going to connect you with this family, and it's your job to work out what it means for you.

Danger warning - as I was learning about their journey, I felt my mind being opened to the possibilities of what life could be, beyond what I know.  And once the minds are opened, they can't be closed.  So read at your own risk!

@mugjes_opreis 

Join us in this interview:

Where: on the patio of our short term rental in Oaxaca.

What we were eating: crackers, cheese, spice dried mango and melon

What we could hear: kids playing hide and seek, dog barking, roosters crowing

What we saw: lights coming on along the hills of Oaxaca

What we felt: the cold setting in as sun sets - we needed a sweater / blanket to keep warm.  Air was fresh and chilly.

Here's to the mosquitos:

The family 

• Tamara, Sebastian, Mike (8), Moos (8), Sophie (4).

Mosquitoes?

• We are from a place in Netherland called Mosquito hence we called ourselves mosquitos on a trip 

What brought you to Oaxaca?

• We've been travelling in our RV full time since 2011, when children were 1,4,4.
• We've been in Europe, US, Canada, Mexico, and are on the way to Panama.
• We found Paz Montessori (where our children meet) and children are enjoying going to a school here for a while before we start again (tomorrow!)

How did your van life started?

• Tamara worked as a teacher and Sebastian in IT (very normal so far!)
• During covid, they had the idea of exploring Europe in an RV with their children - they thought it'd be 6 month
• But 6 months later, they decided to take the plunge to quit teacher job, work remotely and ship their RV to America!

What made you want to turn this into your family life

• We met a whole world of travellers, from young families to retired people who are living on the go.  
• Our eyes were opened and we decided to embrace this - we don't feel we are lacking anything with limited material possession and fixed home.

What is something that people often mistake about Van life with kids

• People think we are alone a lot, but actually we spend lots of time with others - we would form friendship and travel alongside with other families sometimes for a few weeks or months

How do children learn?

• We follow the children's interest, and teach them reading / writing / math etc along the way.  Others that we meet - some follow a homeschool / school curriculum, some unschool (children't aren't taught formally).
• The biggest the learning are from the people we meet.  When we live on camps, we are much closer to other families, and we get to learn a lot from how other people live, handle family situations.  Children even just learnt English from spending time travelling alongside a Canadian family that became close friends.

What's the biggest challenge?

• Being 24/7 with family is what we wanted, but also can be challenging sometimes - we consciously create time space and privacy for the children and us.

What's next?

• We are now on our way through central America, from Mexico to Panama.  
• What's after that?  We don't know - we might consider a life with both travelling and a base - where would that be is still open!

Follow their epic journey at instagram @mugjes_opreis