How I Converted a Van in 4 Weeks (And Did a Vipassana Retreat in the Middle)
Yes, you read that right. This is the story of how I converted a van — from scratch — in just four weeks. And somewhere in the middle of it all, I decided to sit still in silence for 10 days at a Vipassana retreat. Because, you know, why not throw a bit of inner chaos into the outer chaos?
Let’s rewind.
Summer, 2024.
I had no idea where to live. Or what to do. Or where to go. The usual suspects of my existential questioning.
I’d never actually dreamed of living in a van. In fact, I was pretty sure I didn’t want to. But then... a little voice in my head started screaming:
“BUY A VAN AND CONVERT IT!”
I argued, obviously. But the voice didn’t care. It got louder. So I caved.
The Van Hunt
I started looking at second-hand vans. Everything was ridiculously expensive.
Then, I stumbled upon a small Ford Transit from 2011. Short wheel base. Modest. Maybe too modest for me? But something clicked. My heart started racing.
I knew I had to get it.
It was relatively cheap, too. But... I had no tools, and no space to work on it. Minor details, right?
Still, the voice insisted: buy it.
So I did.
The Miracle of Space
The very same day I bought the van, as if by some twist of divine mechanics, a space to build it opened up — at my parents’ house. A full-on miracle.
And just like that, the transformation began.
For two intense weeks, I worked nonstop.
Days were for cutting, drilling, insulating.
Nights were for researching components, sketching interior layouts, and obsessing over solar panel wiring.
By the end of week two, I had:
A bed
Two windows
Full insulation
Basic storage
Electricity
Half a van. Half a home. Half an adventure.
Then Came Vipassana
Time to take a break and test the build — so I drove 1,000 km from Italy to Slovakia, where I attended a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat.
Let me tell you: it’s really hard to meditate when your brain is filled with 347 ideas about drawer designs and solar configurations.
I wanted to run out of the meditation hall and grab my drill.
But I sat. I breathed. I stayed.
And when the retreat ended, I went back to Italy and finished the van flawlessly. No mistakes. Everything clicked. My mind was so sharp and clear.
Final Stretch: 2 Weeks Left
I had just two weeks before I had to leave the space I was using. The pressure was on.
It worked out.
The van was done. Ready to roll. My tiny home on wheels.
I left. Direction: Turkey.
The Van — Fully Equipped & Ready to Roll
Vehicle: Ford Transit 115 T280 2.2, year 2011, 5m length, 2.5m height, stealthy and street-parkable.
⚡ Electrical Equipment
175W solar panel
Renogy MPPT DC-DC charge controller – 50A
100Ah lithium battery
1kW Renogy inverter
🪵 Structure & Insulation
Eco-friendly sheep wool insulation
Interior finish: wooden panels
Extendable bed
Two windows
💧 Plumbing
50L freshwater tank
Sink with faucet
Outdoor shower hose (connected to the tank)
