Daphne lives in a motorhome: I am heavily armed

29 Mar 2024Updated: 4 hours ago | 52 people are reading

Daphne lives in a motorhome: I am heavily armed

Daphne Gakes (34) is the star in her own theater performance, and also very happy with Bartje; the motorhome in which she has been living for three years now.

© Daphne Gakes

Bartje was an impulse purchase; "I had to play a show at a festival for a long time. Everyone slept in a tent, but I didn't like that. I decided to rent a camper, but I came across Bartje on Marktplaats, really a bargain. It was love at first sight and we have been inseparable ever since. ”Until then, she lived on a boat.

Daphne is currently somewhere with her motor home in the capital. Daphne; "I feel so happy when I wake up in a forest or by the water, that is the ultimate freedom for me." But finding a suitable place to sleep is not always easy. "I recently parked the camper in the middle of a residential area and I was not thanked for that; the residents were there like the chickens to tell me that I would get a fine. "

" I understand the fuss, but I just need a place to sleep. "After a theater performance it is often less difficult for Daphne to find a place to sleep. "At the end of my show I always ask if I can stay in the driveway with someone. And then there are always people who even like it very much! ”

People often respond to Daphne's situation rather surprised. “Isn't that terribly cold?” (No, the camper is well heated) and “Wouldn't you rather live in a house?” “I can certainly afford that, and I'm sure I'll do that again sometime, but until now I just have never fallen in love with a house. I can't say goodbye to Bartje yet. And if I ever have a child? Who then lives, who then cares! ”

Daphne's environment is positive about Bartje. "My parents find it" Daphne again ", and think that it will blow over again. My girlfriends love it and therefore love to visit. The camper is really a happening for them. I use solar panels and gas, so I am completely independent. I do have a special pass that allows me to use all the gyms in Amsterdam to shower there. I do this to save water. "

© Offered by De Telegraaf

Unfortunately, several break-ins have already been taken:" Once for 4000 euros worth of things were taken away: everything was gone, I had nothing left. I felt like a wanderer. It feels so unsafe! I now own few valuable items. I try to think from the perspective of a thief: I want to make it as difficult as possible for that person. "

" I am now heavily armed, with an alarm system and a good lock. I want to be able to stand my ground, if necessary. Unfortunately, the police do nothing; a camper is simply burglar-proof. We'll say my own guilt, big bump. "

" A part of society sees me as a "free bird" and / or a "crazy hippie." Others think it is "poor". But living in the camper is just incredibly useful for me. Because I travel a lot for my theater performance, it's great that I always have all my things with me. And in the end I just try to find a way to fit into the system. "