January 21, 2018

A Hippie Van in Lebanon

  


I think my son was 4 when I first went on a holiday in a van. It was a Volkswagen Van (a T3, for the insiders) my brother owned, grass green, with flowers on the side. 

You just need one summer trip to get hooked on van life, and hooked I was. I soon bought my own van, a not too hip looking brown thing, with the very fitting letters BFG in the license plate.  
Since then I have had a succession of vans, getting slightly larger and more equipped each time. But my children, maybe out of nostalgia for their youth, always insist I go back to the old model, the Volkswagen van.


Future Lebanese Van Fans (Hippies)

In Europe, the old Volkswagen vans are hard to come by as they have become a collector’s item; you’ve got to pay top dollars to get a good one, and even more if it is equipped as a camper van. Here in Lebanon, it is a bit of a Cuban situation. Volkswagen vans are still very much in use as school buses. You see them navigating traffic at 7:00 AM with some 20 kids in them, all with school bags, and often in school uniform. I understand the uniform bit, but some schools have the odd habit to require the younger students to wear a ‘maryoul’, a type of apron, boys and girl alike.  Volkswagen Vans here are not yet the hip-thing to have, there is still a bit of a stigma attached to it. I am sure this will eventually come, as there are already a few Lebanese hipsters that have discovered the benefits of a camper van.

This is what the dashboard looked like when we bought it. It still looks this way.

Anyway, we were driving through the Beqaa Valley one day, and stopped at a local dikkaneh (small mini-market), when my daughter and I saw this one Volkswagen van somewhere in the back, next to a pile of pallets, a discarded fridge and bits and pieces of scrap metal. Actually, it was hard to figure out it was a van. Or even a Volkswagen. There just wasn’t much left of it, but just like an old Coca Cola bottle, their design is so peculiar, you can recognize these vans from bits and pieces. 
Ooooh,” says the daughter (who aspires to become a hippie. Whatever happened to ‘doctor’, or ‘neuro surgeon’?) “That’s the van I want.” She saw obvious potential in this wreck.

The front seats :) 

Her father, being the typical Lebanese father of a daughter, uttered the famous words “I will get it for you,” and off he went, to investigate and negotiate. One hour later, the van was hers. It was a 1969 T2, an early model. On a good day, they look like this

Now she wouldn’t turn 18 until another 4 years, so you may think this to be a little premature, but from the state of the van, it was quite clear that it was not going to run anytime soon. If ever.

Well. He’s been dragging it (since it did not really run, it had to be transported on a tow-truck for most of the time) around from one dark and suspicious garage to another. It got stripped off everything, which was probably the easiest part as there was nothing in it anymore.

 

One guy did the gear box, another one knew about plate work, a third one had the spare parts for a T2 from 1969, the fourth knew about radiators and engines, the fifth had ‘some’ knowledge about upholstery and the sixth did the paint job.  

Getting a license plate was an equally arduous affair, as we had changed the engine. The original engine, a T2, is air-cooled, which in our summer climate, when she is supposedly going to drive it around, will result in an overcooked engine, and – so we were told – it’s easier to replace it with a Polo engine, easier to drive, easier to maintain, better performance and no problems with overheating. However, now the number of the car and the number of the engine did not match, and so getting it through car registration also took its toll on her father’s mood. So when he finally delivered it, this month, he was totally done with this car. It ended up being more expensive than a brand new KIA.
I do not want to hear anything anymore ever again about this car.”



This Saturday (daughter and some friends and I, the designated driver) took it on its maiden voyage. It took some effort to get it out of the parking garage, since I haven’t driven a stick shift in ages.  The seat belts in the front, once fastened, would not unfasten anymore, and we had to wiggle our way out of them. Pretty soon, actually, at the first corner, we figured out that the upholstery guy had failed to bolt the benches to the floor. I question this rather suspiciously. Seriously now, why would you not secure a car seat? The next thing we found out is that all the in-door handles were basically inoperable. The windows wouldn’t roll down because we did not have those roll-down thingies, doors didn’t close properly, and if they closed, they most definitely did not lock. Essentially, the car has no locks. Driving around school children here obviously does not require a ‘proof-of-safety’ permit. But it did drive.

Lovely new upholstery. Unfortunately, the seats were not bolted to the floor. Seat belts are absent as well.

So the first stop was Bourj Hammoud, where the car part dealers live. I learned something new in Arabic. There are two type of car parts; the basic ones that are required to keep the engine running, which are called ‘parts’, or ‘ottah’, in Arabic. And then there are the not so basic ones, the pimp-your-car ones, so to speak, which are the called ‘aksesuare’, coming from the French ‘accessoires’.  So the roll-up handles for the window are ‘ottah’, but the car radio is an ‘aksesuare’. And shops that sell ottah do no sell aksesuare. We got a truckers knob, because power steering had not yet been invented in 1969 (also an ‘aksesuare’).

And then we lost a door.
Bourj Hammoud, a small neighborhood with tiny tiny streets, dead-end alleyways, no parking space and traffic jams,  is a great way for a quick lesson on changing gears, and how to get the van in reverse. Somehow the gear box shifts position now and then. 
We quickly noticed that the exhaust fumes ended up in the car instead of the outside, but we fixed that problem once we discovered where the engine was and noticed that some hoses had come loose.

Eventually everything that was not loose, rattled loose, and what was loose, came off. In the end, we lost the entire sliding door, and with the help of some parking attendants, placed it in the back seat and drove home without a side door. I am eternally grateful for the rather lenient traffic rules in this country.

Okay, we'll drive without a door. Long live the Lebanese traffic laws
But we are going back to the drawing board. Since her father has pulled his hands off this project, I will continue this labor and will pimp up this van so that by the time my daughter is actually 18, this will be a reliable and safe car. I am driving it up this afternoon to a guy in the mountains who knows about doors. They say. I will be wearing my Artic gear, as one door is missing, and the knobs to get the heater on are gone as well. I will keep you updated on the van adventures in Lebanon.

24 comments:

  1. Wow! Your adventures in lebanon never seem to end. Good luck :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a story!! This will keep you busy for at least another few years! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Siets! Wat een plaatje van een auto. Daar zit business in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hallo.
      Ik heb een kapitaal dat zal worden gebruikt voor het verstrekken van korte en lange termijnleningen van 5.000 tot 1.000.000,00 € aan elke serieuze persoon die een lening wenst.
      Mijn lening wordt toegekend met een vaste rentevoet van 2% voor de duur van de lening.
      U kunt de lening terugbetalen voor een periode van 1 tot 24 jaar, afhankelijk van het geleende bedrag.
      Je hebt verschillende projecten die momenteel om financieringsredenen worden geblokkeerd, ik kan je helpen.
      Dus als u beltegoed nodig heeft, aarzel dan niet om contact met mij op te nemen om meer te weten te komen over mijn voorwaarden.
      Neem rechtstreeks contact met mij op via e-mail:Francoismathieu28@gmail.com

      Delete
  4. Love this line, "took its toll on her father’s mood". May your mood last longer. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful story!!
    Hope your van makes your family life full of lovely new experience !!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another really great story, very funny as well!

    I always love to read about all your adventures in Lebanon, once you are retired or have too much time on your hands you should definitely consider writing a book about them!

    Greetings from Germany.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello.
      I have a capital that will be used for the provision of short and long term loans of 5.000 to 1.000.000,00 € to any serious person that a loan would like.
      My loan is granted with a fixed interest rate of 2% for the duration of the loan.
      You can use the loan to repay for a period of 1 to 24 years, depending on the borrowed amount.
      You have several projects that are currently to financieringsredenen be blocked, I can help you.
      So if you credit needs, do not hesitate to contact me to take in order to get to know more about my conditions.
      Please directly contact with me via e-mail:Francoismathieu28@gmail.com

      Delete
  7. Great story Sietske!!! As always! Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hallo.
    Ik heb een kapitaal dat zal worden gebruikt voor het verstrekken van korte en lange termijnleningen van 5.000 tot 1.000.000,00 € aan elke serieuze persoon die een lening wenst.
    Mijn lening wordt toegekend met een vaste rentevoet van 2% voor de duur van de lening.
    U kunt de lening terugbetalen voor een periode van 1 tot 24 jaar, afhankelijk van het geleende bedrag.
    Je hebt verschillende projecten die momenteel om financieringsredenen worden geblokkeerd, ik kan je helpen.
    Dus als u beltegoed nodig heeft, aarzel dan niet om contact met mij op te nemen om meer te weten te komen over mijn voorwaarden.
    Neem rechtstreeks contact met mij op via e-mail:Francoismathieu28@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello.
    I have a capital that will be used for the provision of short and long term loans of 5.000 to 1.000.000,00 € to any serious person that a loan would like.
    My loan is granted with a fixed interest rate of 2% for the duration of the loan.
    You can use the loan to repay for a period of 1 to 24 years, depending on the borrowed amount.
    You have several projects that are currently to financieringsredenen be blocked, I can help you.
    So if you credit needs, do not hesitate to contact me to take in order to get to know more about my conditions.
    Please directly contact with me via e-mail:Francoismathieu28@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Nice blog.
    I read your content that is very useful information for us. Thank you so much.
    architecture firms in lebanon 

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am your favorite student ever who am I?
    Choices:
    Fares
    Adel
    Hadi

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Ahmad Asnul Brunei, I contacted Mr Osman Loan Firm for a business loan amount of $250,000, Then i was told about the step of approving my requested loan amount, after taking the risk again because i was so much desperate of setting up a business to my greatest surprise, the loan amount was credited to my bank account within 24 banking hours without any stress of getting my loan. I was surprise because i was first fall a victim of scam! If you are interested of securing any loan amount & you are located in any country, I'll advise you can contact Mr Osman Loan Firm via email osmanloanserves@gmail.com

    LOAN APPLICATION INFORMATION FORM
    First name......
    Middle name.....
    2) Gender:.........
    3) Loan Amount Needed:.........
    4) Loan Duration:.........
    5) Country:.........
    6) Home Address:.........
    7) Mobile Number:.........
    8) Email address..........
    9) Monthly Income:.....................
    10) Occupation:...........................
    11)Which site did you here about us.....................
    Thanks and Best Regards.
    Derek Email osmanloanserves@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Ahmad Asnul Brunei, I contacted Mr Osman Loan Firm for a business loan amount of $250,000, Then i was told about the step of approving my requested loan amount, after taking the risk again because i was so much desperate of setting up a business to my greatest surprise, the loan amount was credited to my bank account within 24 banking hours without any stress of getting my loan. I was surprise because i was first fall a victim of scam! If you are interested of securing any loan amount & you are located in any country, I'll advise you can contact Mr Osman Loan Firm via email osmanloanserves@gmail.com

    LOAN APPLICATION INFORMATION FORM
    First name......
    Middle name.....
    2) Gender:.........
    3) Loan Amount Needed:.........
    4) Loan Duration:.........
    5) Country:.........
    6) Home Address:.........
    7) Mobile Number:.........
    8) Email address..........
    9) Monthly Income:.....................
    10) Occupation:...........................
    11)Which site did you here about us.....................
    Thanks and Best Regards.
    Derek Email osmanloanserves@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Are you tired of seeking loans and Mortgages,have you been turned down constantly By your banks and other financial institutions,We offer any form of loan to individuals and corporate bodies at low interest rate.If you are interested in taking a loan,feel free to contact us today,we promise to offer you the best services ever.Just give us a try,because a trial will convince you.What are your Financial needs?Do you need a business loan?Do you need a personal loan?Do you want to buy a car?Do you want to refinance?Do you need a mortgage loan?Do you need a huge capital to start off your business proposal or expansion? Have you lost hope and you think there is no way out, and your financial burdens still persists? Contact us (gaincreditloan1@gmail.com)

    Your Name:...............
    Your Country:...............
    Your Occupation:...............
    Loan Amount Needed:...............
    Loan Duration...............
    Monthly Income:...............
    Your Telephone Number:.....................
    Business Plan/Use Of Your Loan:...............
    Contact Us At : gaincreditloan1@gmail.com
    Phone number :+44-7774-038335 (WhatsApp Only)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of $250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius, call/whats-App Contact Number +918929509036 via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi i live in lebanon i discovered earlier this year that i have a t2 vw bus so im making it new again i have so many plans in head through the lack of vw hippie campers all over lebanon or even the middle east if you may contact me and thank u already

    ReplyDelete
  17. Here is Mr Benjamin contact Email details,lfdsloans@outlook.com. / lfdsloans@lemeridianfds.com Or Whatsapp +1 989-394-3740 that helped me with loan of 90,000.00 Euros to startup my business and I'm very grateful,It was really hard on me here trying to make a way as a single mother things hasn't be easy with me but with the help of Le_Meridian put smile on my face as i watch my business growing stronger and expanding as well.I know you may surprise why me putting things like this here but i really have to express my gratitude so anyone seeking for financial help or going through hardship with there business or want to startup business project can see to this and have hope of getting out of the hardship..Thank You.

    ReplyDelete
  18. My name is Fajar. I live in  Bedono in Central Java   I was in a very chronic financial issue and terminal health situation some few weeks back. After all my search for assistance from friends and neighbors proved abortive, I feel there was no one who truly cares. I became so exhausted due to lack of funds to expand my business and my 2 kids aged 5 and 8 were not also good looking due to lack of proper care as a result of finance. One faithful morning I saw an old time friend of my late husband and I told him all I have been going through and he said the only way he could help was to direct me to a good loan officer in USA that also helped him, He explained to me on how he was financially down and how he got boosted by this loan officer ( Mr Benjamin Lee   who grant him 7,000,000.00 USD loan at an affordable rate of 2.2% rate . He further assured me that they were the only legit loan firm he found online. He gave me their email & WhatsApp That was how i applied and was also granted a loan and my life changed for the good. CONTACT THE ONLY GENUINE LENDER Mr Benjamin Lee VIA  WhatsApp - +1-989-394-3740  And  Email:    247officedept@gmail.com to resolve your financial mess.  

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am Neeha Rajori, from Surat. I am 23 years old I am an independent escort in surat, I am providing the best call girl in surat, I am very hot and I have an erotic hot figure my breast big you feel good and awesome. my hair color is blonde. I am a model and celebrity escort girl in surat, I am giving the hot best erotic call girl services at very affordable rate escort in surat, Visit our website and get more information about me. Independent Escort in Surat |Whatsapp number escort in surat| real photo escort in surat

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi everyone, I saw comments from people who had already got their loan from Anderson Loan Finance. Honestly, I thought it was a scam, and then I decided to make a request based on their recommendations. A few days ago, I confirmed in my personal bank account amounting to $15,000 dollars which I applied for. This is really a good news and I am so very happy that I advise all those who need a real loan and who are sure to reimburse to apply through their email (text or call) +1 719 629 0982. There are sincere loan lenders! They are capable to lend you a loan. Contact Mr Anderson E-mail: andersonraymondloanfinance@gmail.com

    Phone: +1 719 629 0982


    E-mail: andersonraymondloanfinance@gmail.com

    Office address is (68 Fremont Ave Penrose CO, 812400).

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, what an incredible adventure exploring Lebanon in a Hippie Van! Reading about your experience has ignited a sense of wanderlust and a longing to hit the road in search of unforgettable memories.

    ReplyDelete