Meet Lexis Noelle who ditched going to university for a life on the road in a converted bus  

Meet the adventurous young woman who steered away from attending university for a life on the road instead – after being inspired by her mum and Instagramming van-lifers.

The travel bug first began to bite for New York-born Etsy online store owner Lexis Noelle, 21, when she travelled the USA and the Caribbean with her mum when she was in high school, visiting areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Then she became consumed by wanderlust when she began following people who documented their globe-trotting in busses and vans on Instagram.

The travel bug first began to bite for New York-born Etsy online store owner Lexis Noelle (pictured), 21, when she travelled the USA and the Caribbean with her mum

Gearing up for a new life: Lexis found the bus of her dreams on the internet, bought it, and named it Lola

Gearing up for a new life: Lexis found the bus of her dreams on the internet, bought it, and named it Lola

Lexis said: 'I have such a huge passion for travel and exploring new places'

Lexis said: ‘I have such a huge passion for travel and exploring new places’

Working hard at the time as a waitress she saved every penny and then on February 6, 2017, when she was 18, she found the bus of her dreams on the internet, bought it, and named it Lola.

She said: ‘I have such a huge passion for travel and exploring new places. When I graduated from high school, I just knew I didn’t want to go right to university. Books weren’t really my thing, nor was sitting around in a classroom learning about something I had no interest in.

‘I wanted to seriously enjoy my life and I knew that travel would give me what I needed. I mean, I could always go to university later down the line if I felt like it.

‘When I was in high school, my mum, Tabbi, took me to all these cool places in the States and the Caribbean. It was always such a thrill to explore them all, meet new people and to see new things.

The bus took two-and-a-half months to convert into a mobile home. She was gutted and redesigned to fit Lexis' living style

The bus took two-and-a-half months to convert into a mobile home. She was gutted and redesigned to fit Lexis’ living style

Lexis' mini home includes a living and sleeping space, a bathroom with toilet and shower, a kitchen and dining space, and is partly solar-powered

Lexis’ mini home includes a living and sleeping space, a bathroom with toilet and shower, a kitchen and dining space, and is partly solar-powered

Lexis said: 'Since my mother had already completed her shuttle bus conversion and knew all the ins and outs of converting a bus into a tiny home, I asked her to teach me what to do and where to start'

Lexis said: ‘Since my mother had already completed her shuttle bus conversion and knew all the ins and outs of converting a bus into a tiny home, I asked her to teach me what to do and where to start’

‘We went everywhere in her vintage 1965 travel trailer. I used to love going camping with it and after seeing her convert her shuttle bus, it left me in complete awe. I knew I had to get my own little home on wheels.

‘I’d been following others on Instagram for a while, watching them travel the world in both vans and bus conversions.’

Lexis’ mum was a lifeline when it came to converting the vehicle because she had seen and done it all before and she taught Lexis how to get it all ready for her solo travels.

The bus took two-and-a-half months to convert into a mobile home.

She was gutted and redesigned to fit Lexis’ living style.

Her mini home includes a living and sleeping space, a bathroom with toilet and shower, a kitchen and dining space, and is partly solar-powered.

The world is her oyster: Lexis on the road in Lola, which she bought in 2017 when she turned 18

The world is her oyster: Lexis on the road in Lola, which she bought in 2017 when she turned 18

Lexis' mum, Tabbi (pictured), was a lifeline when it came to converting the vehicle because she had seen and done it all before

Lexis’ mum, Tabbi (pictured), was a lifeline when it came to converting the vehicle because she had seen and done it all before

'When I graduated from high school,' said Lexis, 'I just knew I didn't want to go right to university. Books weren't really my thing'

‘When I graduated from high school,’ said Lexis, ‘I just knew I didn’t want to go right to university. Books weren’t really my thing’

The bus has a variety of on/off-grid kitchen appliances and a couch that converts into a bed

The bus has a variety of on/off-grid kitchen appliances and a couch that converts into a bed

For those who wondered what about the toilet break, Lexis' tiny home comes with all mod cons

For those who wondered what about the toilet break, Lexis’ tiny home comes with all mod cons

Lexis continued: ‘Since my mother had already completed her shuttle bus conversion and knew all the ins and outs of converting a bus into a tiny home, I asked her to teach me what to do and where to start.

‘My bus was completely emptied and I never knew how to re-do a floor, build cabinets, hook up solar power, or wire anything together. It was all new to me and I’m so glad I had her knowledge, patience and interest to teach me.

‘I chose all the interior design for Lola and made sure it fitted my living style. I wanted to be able to fit the most I could for the smallest amount of space.

‘I put the bed in the middle to allow me to fit a bathroom on the far-left corner and give me an end table with storage in the far-right corner. It also means the back door wasn’t blocked so I can get in and out and get amazing scenic views wherever I was. The bed is also arranged so that in the day I can set up two couches which are made into a full-size bed at night.

‘In the kitchen, I have a variety of on/off-grid kitchen appliances such as a microwave, coffee machine, gas stove, electric frying pan and mini-fridge. Everything a girl could need to rustle up a delicious meal.’

  • Follow Lexis’ adventures on Instagram by clicking here

 



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