From a Minivan to the World: A Kurdish-American Love Story on Four Wheels

A Kurdish man born in Berlin and an American woman have been living in an electric minivan for four years, traveling across three continents and 25 countries, and she learned Kurdish out of love.

Their Story

Zervan, born and raised in Berlin but with roots in Varto, Muş in northern Kurdistan, met Taylor, an American, in Berlin nine years ago. They married three years ago. When the COVID pandemic drained Berlin of its charm, they made a radical decision: convert an electric minivan into a home and travel the world.

Their first stop was Indonesia, then Thailand and Vietnam. After a year in Asia, they returned to Europe. Now they have been in the United States for a year, planning to visit every state.

Wherever the sun sets, that becomes home for the night. Cooking, sleeping, resting, everything happens inside that small vehicle.

Taylor Learns Kurdish

Taylor decided to learn Kurdish as a gesture of love. She was lucky: Zervan's father is a Kurdish language teacher. Taylor studied at the "Adar" school and learned from Zervan's father directly.

"I was 17 when I went to Berlin to study, and that's where I met Zervan," Taylor said. "I learned Kurdish because I love Zervan so much, I wanted to speak with his family in their own language. I'm fascinated by Kurdish culture and listen to Kurdish music. The only thing I haven't mastered yet is Kurdish dancing."

Zervan's Dream

The couple has traveled through 25 countries across three continents. But Zervan's biggest dream is still ahead: to one day bring Taylor to his ancestors' village and walk together through the mountains of Kurdistan.