There comes a time in a person's life when the desire to pack up and go wherever the road leads becomes irresistible or even unavoidable. To take only what's truly necessary, to bring along the things you genuinely love and are worth preserving. To put them in a vehicle and drive away on an open road, seeking freedom and happiness while leaving unhealthy baggage behind. This spirit is at the heart of Domovago mobile living, where home transforms into movement, and movement becomes home.
The Origin story
One of my first vivid recollections is my dad taking me to his friend who was building his own motorhome in his garage. This was during the late stage of Yugoslavia, when socialism was fading but its presence was still strong. Even though people generally had their basic needs met, luxury items were not a common sight. This often meant people had to be incredibly crafty and innovative if they wanted to possess things they saw in Western television shows or magazines. So, goods were regularly smuggled from Austria and Italy, or, often, expertly made at home.
My hometown was a heavy industrial center, bustling with various mechanical workers, and my dad’s friend was one of them. My memory might be playing tricks on me, but picturing him now, he was a short-statured man, with dark, messy hair and a beard, wearing oil-stained blue overalls. He’d talk through a cigarette that seemed permanently affixed between his lips, and he sounded just like he looked – a bit raunchy, and to a young me, a little scary.
I remember him opening the two-part doors of a tiny garage, clearly meant for just one car, but inside, a small truck chassis was squeezed in. As a kid who grew up in a family of people working in heavy industry or as handy farmers, I was mesmerized by the scene. The dark, smelly room was filled with dirty tools, trash on the floor, and vehicle parts scattered everywhere. A calendar with nude girls was on the back of the door, and there was probably a framed picture of Josip Broz Tito somewhere on a wall too.
His ambitious plan was to take an old truck, a Yugoslav-made TAM 2000, affectionately nicknamed “Tamič” (tah-mitch) by the people, and merge it with a camper trailer into a single, custom-built vehicle. I remember being incredibly excited, talking with my dad about it after we left, and from time to time he would take me back to see the progress. Later, Yugoslavia violently broke up, things changed dramatically, and I don’t really know what happened to that incredible project.
The Spirit of Domovago
Today, four decades later, we live in a completely different world, facing new, profound challenges. While the “Tamič” project remains a mystery, the spirit of ingenuity, self-reliance, and crafting a personal solution still ignites the spark in me.
I might be nostalgic, I might even be afraid of getting old, but I do miss the childhood, times where nothing was too ambitious, when creativity was not measured or restrained by anything. Times when you could even find happiness in dark garages.
Picking up my obtained life knowledge, the passions I’ve cultivated, and the cherished memories worth preserving, I am starting the Domovago journey.
A Holistic Vision for Domovago Mobile Living
Domovago is an initiative to create an affordable, resilient, and self-sustainable way of mobile living. Through ongoing research, the project explores how a wandering home can provide stability and security in a changing world. The vision touches on global challenges such as climate change, migration, housing, and social uncertainty.
The journey unfolds here on the webpage, piece by piece. Two main areas guide the experience. The Blog offers in-depth articles across diverse themes, while the Garage showcases the evolving build process with updates, challenges, and milestones.
Within the Blog, readers can explore sections dedicated to design, technology, history, and lifestyle. From curated picks and sources of inspiration to reflections on people, places, and perspectives, each article contributes to a growing knowledge base. Practical topics such as legal frameworks and safety standards form part of the Rulebook, while the Garage Log keeps track of progress on the mobile living prototype.
Building the Tribe
Domovago is more than a personal vision. It is an open-source initiative designed to grow through collaboration and shared creativity. The goal is to build a Tribe of curious, inventive, and like-minded individuals who believe in the power of collective ingenuity. By opening the blueprint, Domovago becomes a space where anyone can learn, adapt, and contribute.
The community thrives on shared knowledge, collaborative design, and mutual support. Ideas, skills, and questions come together to refine solutions and spark new ones. Every contribution strengthens the project and expands what mobile living can mean.
The Tribe is meant to be a living resource, constantly evolving with its members. Through comments, projects, and exchanges, it becomes a space where inspiration flows freely and innovation grows stronger.
Join the Domovago Movement
The foundational spirit of ingenuity I witnessed as a child – perhaps in a slightly less oil-stained environment this time – is now being channeled into a modern solution, and I’m thrilled to share every step.
Keep an eye out for regular updates. The Domovago journey will chronicle its evolution from theory into virtual planning, complemented by broader inspirations and insights for resilient mobile living.
Readers are invited to explore, to engage, and to connect with the growing Tribe. The journey has truly begun.
Key Takeaways
- A Personal Spark: Domovago began with a nostalgic memory of a self-built motorhome.
- A Global Mission: The project’s goal is to create a holistic mobile living solution for a changing world.
- A Shared Journey: Domovago is a collaborative, open-source project building a community.
Credits
- Written by: DB
- Images: DB, Freepik