Why do we have to go camping when we have a bed at home? This is a question I often ask my husband when he suggests a weekend camping trip.
At exactly 3.46pm last Saturday afternoon, my husband and I arrived home from a weekend camping with friends. After I told my shower how much I missed it, I reflected on how bizarre the whole camping thing is. Why do people who are fortunate enough to live in a home equipped with everything from basics like running water to luxuries like pillows choose to spend days getting ready and packing for one night’s camping followed by three days of unpacking and washing?
I am sure that there used to be a simpler time when all that was packed were the bare necessities – after all, isn’t that what camping is all about? Getting back to nature and basic living? Our conversations during camping prep are more like this:
The forecast says dry, but what if it rains? How many clothes will we need? It might get cold at night so we will need jumpers. Should we take all of the painkillers? Where are the band-aids? We are having lamb so do we need a bottle of red or white? Best take a couple of each. Games? Should we pack Scrabble? That might be hard to play if we have no table? Should we take Uno as well? We’ve got chocolate slice, chocolate covered biscuits and other chocolate, is that enough for four people for one night?
There is so much time and effort involved to make sure that you have packed everything. We pack enough for six people to camp for a week and don’t even get me started on sleeping in tent. I absolutely LOATHE sleeping in a tent. Sleeping in a tent is guaranteed to give you the worst night’s sleep of your life. Do sleeping bags rustle and does the mattress make loud noises when you roll over? YOU BET THEY DO! Is it annoying to zip and unzip your sleeping bag when you feel cold or hot? You know the answer to that question.
As I finish my sixth load of washing, I realise that, as corny as it sounds, conversations that happen around a campfire happen nowhere else. Not in the office, not at the dinner table and certainly not on Facebook or Twitter. They are hilarious and warm. There is a perverse pleasure in being completely relaxed and not caring if you haven’t had a shower or don’t have make up on. There is nothing more grotesque, yet funny, as taking trips to what only can be described as a very questionable toilet. This is always good practice in making you step outside your comfort zone. Group camping is also a practical lesson in sharing, especially if you have kids. No one says ‘Hey! That’s our Vegemite!’ or ‘I had that first!’ It’s all about taking turns and playing nicely.
So I don’t think I will be listing all of our gear on ebay just yet. Not now that it’s all nice and clean, anyway.
