I’m like a human parcel after living in a DHL van for 4yrs…I love life on the road even though I don’t have a bathroom
A MAN who sold his apartment to live out of a DHL van for the last four years says he doesn’t even have a bathroom.
Adventurer Pascal Kaiser, 25, from Berlin, has been embracing life on the road and even travels around the world in his home on wheels.
The German bought the postal transporter – built in 2000 – for €4,250 (£3,593) in 2020 and hasn’t looked back since.
Installing a couch, a bed, a small kitchen and solar panels on the roof for electricity, Kaiser has done all he can to make the delivery van as homely as possible.
His kitchen even has a gas hob, while Kaiser also built a shelf for the most important spices.
According to the German, however, it’s a never ending project.
“There is always something to work on the car, you never finish it,” he told BILD. “But it is still cheaper than renting”
Kaiser is also a firm believer that you can live a happier life with fewer possessions.
But there is one minor issue that the traveller has had to contend with for almost half a decade – he doesn’t have a bathroom.
For the last four years, Kaiser has been living without a toilet or a shower.
However, the trained carpenter claims to not be bothered by his limited facilities.
“I’m at friends’ houses almost every day and can shower there,” he shrugged.
Kaiser decided to up sticks from his Berlin apartment after spending a year abroad in Australia, where he lived out of a car.
Upon his return to Germany, his only thought was to do the same again – but in a bigger vehicle.
“Before I gave up my apartment, I travelled around Australia for a year,” he said. “I lived in a small car.
“When I came back, I wanted a big car.”
Kaiser spends the summers in Berlin and the winters abroad.
He ensure the warmer weather months are spent in his homeland and alongside his friends.
When temperatures drop, he finds somewhere less chilly to call home.
“I’ve spent winters in Spain and Morocco,” he said.
The Rise Of Van Life
The rise of van life began during the pandemic in 2020. With no one able to leave the country, staycations became popular for many say camping blog venturecampers.
On top of that, the rising cost of renting a house has put many off doing so, especially when wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living crisis.
Although it has gained popularity again, many people opted for van life in the 60s and 70s.
Despite spending so much time on his own, Kaiser claims he is “never alone.”
Apparently, taking on this mind set is the best way to get to know people abroad.
In order to fund his unique lifestyle, Kaiser also travels to Switzerland from time to time – and works there.
“That’s how I finance my life,” he explained.
As for the future, there aren’t currently any plans to install a bathroom, or even a toilet, in his homely DHL delivery van.
There are, however, ambitions to own his own “hippie island”.
Kaiser said: “I would like to own a piece of land one day and show people how to live an alternative lifestyle.
“A little hippie island, so to speak.”