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Margaret Anna Alice's avatar

This brought tears to my eyes. How tragic that these meaningful connections are so rare these days. I am so relieved you have her contact number. Please do keep in touch and give her a warm hello from me.

Keep us posted on your next encounter. Encourage her to join Substack if she has the ability to do so, then let us know so we can follow her adventures.

P.S. RV life may not be as bad as you fear—watch "Nomadland," and you realize many people feel the freedom is worth the tradeoffs.

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Renee Marie's avatar

I watched that movie. I thought it was really cool. It also makes one realize, half the stuff we accumulate we don’t need...or want anymore (“you can’t take it with you”). It’s actually, true freedom.

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Toxi's avatar

One of my favorite rockers said it like this: "Never see a hearse with a luggage rack.

All your money, your hard earned pay.

It don’t mean shit, babe, at the end of the day "

https://youtu.be/-H-1Hj0xry0

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Margaret Anna Alice's avatar

Indeed, Renee. One of the things I love about Chloé Zhao is she uses *real* people (with the exception of Frances McDormand and David Strathairn) in her films, and the people featured in “Nomadland” are actually living the nomadic life portrayed in the movie.

Her previous two films, “The Rider” and “Songs My Brother Taught Me” use all non-actors and are exceptional as well (I’m pretending “Eternals” doesn’t exist). The protagonist in “The Rider” experienced the brain injury depicted in the film in real-life, and the story that emerged was inspired by his own.

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Renee Marie's avatar

WOW! That’s amazing. I love it! Thank you for that cool insight.

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Unapologetically Me's avatar

"RV life may not be as bad as you fear—"

Verily. 💖

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BubbaMac's avatar

Yeah I thought that was a little patronising yet I know he didn’t mean to be, I have friends moving into caravans and mobile homes by choice they have plenty of money and access to homes but want the freedom of van life.

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Jjule's avatar

Except that he described a beat up RV and a Walmart parking lot.

Not a nice trailer park many nomads go to.

Plus she wanted her own little space.

Not a drug infested Parking lot…

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BubbaMac's avatar

Good point, and we only feel like this because of how the world has made our families etc. Sad really.

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Renee Marie's avatar

Some people want to live this way. And, if money allows, there are some VERY nice RVs out there! I had a 22ft. Kodiak trailer. It was awesome! I moved and sold it, and the truck (storage was a waste of money).

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JustPlainBill's avatar

Perhaps not, for some. But his description of her particular RV suggests that her resources are pretty thin.

Great piece, especially this time of year.

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