Melanie Görz is 50 and has been living in her car for over three years. She no longer has a permanent residence in Germany, but she does have a 1999 Land Rover Discovery 2 TD5. She works online while on the road, travels alone, and is constantly drawn back to North Africa and the desert. Her home? It’s on the road.
OLLI Friends are people who get out there and do their own thing. We tell their stories—about being on the road, about arriving, and about everything that happens in between.
Tell me… Who are you—and what drives you?
I’m Melanie, 50 years old, originally from Saxony-Anhalt. I’ve been living permanently in my car for over three years. I’m no longer registered as a resident in Germany and work online while on the road. Professionally, I’m a couples and sex therapist.
What does “One Life. Live It.” mean to you?
Well, it just means living life, not just planning it. Not putting things off anymore, facing challenges, and staying mindful and confident. But also not taking everything too seriously and staying open-minded when things suddenly take a different turn.
I had to learn that first. Life is going pretty well right now.
And all of that still applies even when I’m not traveling—when I settle down somewhere again and look for a home with four walls.
“Life is going pretty well right now.”
What do you drive—and why exactly that one?
I travel in my 1999 Land Rover Discovery 2 TD5. I started out years ago with a Mercedes Vaneo. It soon proved not to be rugged or off-road capable enough, because I liked to venture into places where the terrain got rough.
What experience from your travels will you never forget?
There are really so many.
On my last trip, my travel partner just left me standing alone in the desert, even though he knew I was having a hard time getting around on my own. I was still inexperienced in the desert and had also been listening too much to other people.
“Now I trust myself more and am better able to get myself out of a tricky situation on my own.”
What has traveling taught you?
Patience, self-confidence, optimism, and courage. And that the path leads you exactly where you’re meant to go.
What’s one thing you’d really like to experience?
To drive a desert rally myself.
Plan A or Plan B?
I always have a basic idea as Plan A, but Plan B or C come to mind quickly. I’ve become more relaxed about this than I used to be.
Alone or with others?
So far, I’ve been alone in my car. I’d like to change that. When traveling with others, I’ve mostly been with travel companions who had their own vehicles.
Comfort or freedom?
Freedom.
When something goes really wrong …
In the past: Fear.
Now: Stay calm and weigh your options.
What’s guaranteed to really get under your skin when you’re on the road?
Not much anymore. Disrespect generally drives me up the wall, whether I’m on the road or not. Bureaucracy also often drives me crazy.
An invitation or a travel itinerary?
An invitation. Meeting new people and having new encounters have been the most important things so far.
Which is harder for you: leaving or coming back?
I’m always on the road, after all.
How do you sometimes drive your travel companion crazy?
Ask my travel companion. So far, one of them has actually run off on me—he never told me why. Everyone else is still on speaking terms with me.
What dish do you make over and over again when you’re on the road?
Omelet.
What are the three things you can’t travel without?
- I’m a supplement junkie.
- Truffle oil.
- Hair soap.
MELANIE & HER DISCOVERY
Melanie Görz
50 years old
from Saxony-Anhalt
Home: Land Rover Discovery 2 TD5
Year built: 1999
On the road: in this vehicle for over 3 years
Work: traveling online
Follow Melanie on:
- Instagram: drivemefree4x4
- Polarsteps: Melanie Görz
