Yes, the best holiday ever where you pay a fortune to live outside while hoping that it will not rain or that it won’t be too hot nor too cold, oh and definitely not windy.
Or when you need to boil water on a fire early in the morning. Bear in mind that such a process could take approximately an hour as one needs to make the fire first, but the question we should be asking is, “Why would we do all of this?” For a cup of COFFEE, that’s why. That’s what it takes to get a cup of coffee when camping.
And now I am calm…Let’s proceed.
My last camping trip…We woke up early, excited to go camping. Even better, we would get there before anyone else, choose the best spot and be settled (a small evil laugh echoes).
Think again…We reached our destination, the rain poured (weather apps, anyone?). We sat in the car for 3 hours before anyone else arrived (and I had to entertain a 5 year old in the car. Not even outside, in the car).
Luckily the pouring rain turned into a mild drizzle. Now just imagine…set-up time…
I’m trying to keep my son dry. I stand on the outside of the tent trying to close the door of the tent (I still need to get my own bedding too) at that moment my hair gets stuck in the zip, completely stuck. The water slowly gushes inside. I bellow for my friends to assist (obviously my current position was quite entertaining). They came, but took photos first. Eventually, my hair was released and we were able to rest (my son and I shared my “sort of dry” bedding).
What did I really learn though?
As soon as the rain stops, set up everything. EVERYTHING and immediately!
But most of all, I learned that it is the most beautiful sight to watch children play for hours and hours outside.
My son, his cousins, and his friends played non-stop. They played in the small river that ran past us, in the sand, on the grass and enjoyed playing “old school” games that we grew up with.
They played from the moment they woke up to way after the sun had set, and when they just could not anymore, they would subtly hint that sleep was needed. But even then, they did not want to miss any action. They crawled into their sleeping bags and under the stars their eyes started to close, only to be carried to their tents a little while later.
Still to this day there is nothing purer, more natural, or even more perfect than these moments.
And I can’t wait to do it all over again.
My parents did this with me and it created life-long memories. Now, I get to do the same with my own child.
Time to Google those open camping spots, everyone. Glamping or camping this time?
