Bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, steering wheel, engine, and wheels with the world at their feet. That’s the rolling home where Daniel Acosta and Nayra Mesalive, a Canarian couple who chose minimalism and the freedom and independence of a motorhome. In 2020, they left their townhouse in Radazul and moved to a 12-square-meter house on wheels. They gave up their old life without much knowledge about this type of vehicle, but with the conviction that conventional lifestyle did not fulfill them. Four years later, they claim it has been a success. So much so that they have attracted attention both inside and outside of Canary Islands. Just on their Instagram account, where they narrate their adventures, they are approaching 14,000 followers.
Daniel Acosta is an entrepreneur, filmmaker (professional in directing and producing films and audiovisual productions) and photographer. Nayra Mesa is a writer and journalist. They moved in 2020 after years of thinking about making a change in their lives. Acosta says that despite the luxury of having great comforts in their conventional home, they felt overwhelmed and out of control of their lives. “We thought we had it all but didn’t have enough time to do anything,” he admits. Nayra Mesa is convinced that they needed to “live with fewer material things and less stress.” The motorhome seemed like a solution to them. And so they did, putting effort into the decoration and accessories to have similar comforts to those of their home in Radazul. Less interior space but infinite outdoor space.
The couple resides and travels in their 12-metre abode / María Pisaca
The stereotypes and lack of knowledge about these vehicles were a barrier they overcame when they visited one of these mobile homes. When Nayra saw the motorhome, her doubts vanished. To her, that was “a regular house, with its sink, shower, bed, closets…”. The major peculiarity was the swivel seats, which transformed into the driver’s and co-driver’s seats. They first rented a motorhome for a few days. They wanted to see how they felt and if they would be able to permanently move there. They passed the test with “a resounding outstanding grade”. They watched informative videos and researched about this world until they decided to go to a dealership and buy their new home. They did, following their motto, “starting fresh and creating new routes”.
In the end, they have found that the new day-to-day life has not strayed far from those living in a house. Getting up, making the bed, preparing breakfast, taking Trufa, their dog, for a walk… These are some of the daily activities that shape their lives like those of most people. They even host gatherings with friends where they have had up to nine people present.
Lack of privacy is one of the biggest challenges. Space is limited, so communication and finding a good adventure partner, as in their case, are essential. But at the same time, one of the major advantages is being able to fulfill their ultimate dream: visiting numerous countries with their house on wheels. Thus, they have mainly traveled through European nations – France, Portugal, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy… and Morocco. The list is long, but Norway ranks first. It seemed like “the paradise of motorhomes” to them. Not only for its environmental respect and enjoyment philosophy, but also for its high landscape value. There, they remember having experienced moments that will stay with them forever. Impressive mountains, northern lights, heavy snowfalls and, most importantly, their engagement.
Resetting priorities
[–>
For the major change, the couple reset their priorities. They sold, donated, and got rid of countless items from their old home. With each piece they parted with, relief grew. Daniel says that many people wonder if they have enough space. He firmly states, “yes.” Their motorhome has adequate means for their quality of life, and their mission remains to get rid of more things. They feel they have broken away from a societal paradigm, hoarding, and can now only continue growing under their new philosophy.
The motorhome has a 100-liter capacity / María Pisaca
One of the peculiarities of living in a motorhome is what to do with liquid waste, i.e., black and grey water. These come from the toilet, shower, and sink, which the couple empties every week. Additionally, they require water for household activities. Their motorhome has a capacity for 100 litres. This, they claim, makes them more aware of the resources they have and makes them use them more responsibly than in a conventional house where the expense is not accounted for.
Daniel and Nayra emphasize the commitment to
Respecting the Environment: The Ethos of Motorhome Travellers
The philosophy of motorhome travellers is characterised by a deep respect for the natural environment. “We try to leave it better than we found it,” adds Daniel. The motorhome enthusiast acknowledges that there are cases of individuals whose behaviours in natural spaces are reprehensible but insists on “the values that true motorhomers uphold.” “We preserve landscapes because we want to continue enjoying them,” he emphasises.
The debate surrounding the surge in caravans, motorhomes, and camper vans on the island has brought attention to their case. There is a point of consensus between authorities and motorhome travellers: Tenerife is not equipped to handle so many vehicles of this type. The couple is aware of this and after comparing the available spaces and sewage disposal points in other countries, they recognise the lack of resources on the island. Here, they have to rely on poorly equipped private campsites, as described by Nayra. The issue is compounded by the trend of mobile homes. The number of people opting for this lifestyle or seeing this vehicle as a means of recreational use and enjoying a different kind of getaway is on the rise. Nevertheless, this couple will carry on. They have gained knowledge that they have wanted to share on their social media and YouTube channel, Borrón y ruta nueva. They have also published two guides for motorhome travellers.
One of the books focuses on their trip to Morocco in 2022. They embarked on the adventure with uncertainty. However, the experience pleasantly surprised them. As a result, they created a specific guide for this country that provided them with the opportunity to learn new values and enjoy incredible landscapes. Their second book is titled Guide to Living and Travelling in a Motorhome or Camper Around the World. There, they describe all the knowledge they would have liked to have before purchasing their vehicle.
Just like them, there are up to 160,000 motorhome users in Spain. While many use them during holiday periods to escape the routine and spend a few days away from big cities, there is a growing community that enjoys this lifestyle permanently. Mobile homes have also become an alternative for those who cannot afford a traditional home, especially now that the islands are facing a housing crisis. In Canarias, prices are still soaring, and there are fewer and fewer options for conventional rental.
For Daniel and Nayra, the investment in their motorhome is comparable to buying a small apartment. However, their motivation was not financial but vital: to achieve a simpler, stress-free life. Today, from their home on wheels, with more comforts than many could imagine, they can proudly affirm that they have succeeded. Home, engine, wheels, and a whole planet ahead.
