We get a lot of different reactions when talking to people about what we are doing. We don't offer the information, it is just the nature of camping life to chat and ask others about how and where they are travelling to. People ask us "where do you live?". We point to our tents and say "today, we live over there". Some people are shocked, some are concerned, some are excited, some are baffled. Most people have a home base, even if they are on the road for a year or so.
Sometimes we leave it at that, sometimes we go on to explain briefly what led us to be there, how we were travelling several years ago, for a year. When we got to the Gold Coast, we liked it so we stayed there and it was cheaper to rent a house for what we thought would be a little while, which became almost 3 years. When they sold the house, we decided to keep travelling. Right now, we are just waiting for our new camper coming over from the USA. We decided to do our waiting in an area that is warm so that's why we're here.
The people that are shocked think that it's an awfully long time to be living in tents with 3 children. Really? Compared to what? Two months in two tents. We are enjoying it. Well, most of the time...I may be a free spirit, but I need a little bit of organisation in order to function smoothly. I like knowing where things are and our system is pretty simple, but it can get messed up sometimes when things get put back in the wrong place. There is so much to do around here, mostly fun stuff, but also a lot of practical stuff that sometimes I forget that I'm supposed to be relaxing as well. Then it catches up to me and I wonder why I'm tired. Mostly, it's fun and exciting and busy and we all feel healthier and happier and more connected. I am not going to romanticize it though. It can be bloody frustrating when it's dark and we have no power and I can't see where things are. Although that can mean a really easy dinner and an early night. We have been really lucky with good weather...up until last night when it rained most of the night. Our tent held up well for a second-hand $20 tent with just some very minor leakage in the front. The other tent had a bit more leakage, mainly due to wear on the outer fly allowing the rain to seep through. That tent was free so it's pretty good for the price. We will just put a tarp over the top of it from now on to prevent anymore wet walls in there. So some minor frustration with that but overall, our cheapy tents have served us well. I know that we will greatly appreciate moving in to a caravan after this experience though!
Keeping up with meals and buying food is another consideration. We do not have the storage space to do a full weeks shopping so we have to shop every couple of days. We have a large cooler with us to keep food cool. This means buying ice every day or two. When the ice melts, the water can go through all of the food, often ruining it in the process. We don't mind a little cool water in there to help keep the food cool, but it can't be too much and the food has to be packed just right in order to keep the water out of it. That's another minor annoyance - when I think I'm going to snack on some hummus and then I find it's just a tub of water. We have to keep food stored away so sometimes it's a bit of a shuffle to find everything I need to make a meal. I bought an extra washing basket so that we can put everything we need for a meal in it, and take it to the camp kitchen without having to trek back to our site because I forgot the pepper or something.
Other than those things, I can't think of any other little challenges. I actually like the walk to the laundry and bathroom and camp kitchen and chatting to a variety of people along the way. I like moving and being active. I love looking out of my tent into the rainforest and watching the little creek below. I love sitting under the stars at night. I love exploring new places and hiking and waterfalls and beautiful beaches. I would rather explore a place of natural beauty than go to a place like "The Butterfly House" which claimed to have 4000 different kinds of butterflies. I would rather marvel at the butterflies in their natural environment when I do see them.
Our kids are enjoying playing cards with new friends in the evenings rather than watching hours of tv. They run and play and explore, choosing to climb one of the many beautiful trees over playing at a playground structure.
I love being warm in the winter time, wearing singlet tops and shorts or a sarong and feeling the sun on my bare skin. I love having the freedom to be here, to move when we have had enough of a place, to take from a place just what we want, not trying to do all of the "touristy" things, just seeing the places that speak to us, even if it means staying at the campground most of the day for a week. I love meeting people from all over the world. I love living close to the earth and the elements. I love watching the shadow of a bug as it crawls over the outside of my tent as I'm typing this. I love having this moment, this time, right here, right now. So blessed!
Keeping up with meals and buying food is another consideration. We do not have the storage space to do a full weeks shopping so we have to shop every couple of days. We have a large cooler with us to keep food cool. This means buying ice every day or two. When the ice melts, the water can go through all of the food, often ruining it in the process. We don't mind a little cool water in there to help keep the food cool, but it can't be too much and the food has to be packed just right in order to keep the water out of it. That's another minor annoyance - when I think I'm going to snack on some hummus and then I find it's just a tub of water. We have to keep food stored away so sometimes it's a bit of a shuffle to find everything I need to make a meal. I bought an extra washing basket so that we can put everything we need for a meal in it, and take it to the camp kitchen without having to trek back to our site because I forgot the pepper or something.
Other than those things, I can't think of any other little challenges. I actually like the walk to the laundry and bathroom and camp kitchen and chatting to a variety of people along the way. I like moving and being active. I love looking out of my tent into the rainforest and watching the little creek below. I love sitting under the stars at night. I love exploring new places and hiking and waterfalls and beautiful beaches. I would rather explore a place of natural beauty than go to a place like "The Butterfly House" which claimed to have 4000 different kinds of butterflies. I would rather marvel at the butterflies in their natural environment when I do see them.
Our kids are enjoying playing cards with new friends in the evenings rather than watching hours of tv. They run and play and explore, choosing to climb one of the many beautiful trees over playing at a playground structure.
I love being warm in the winter time, wearing singlet tops and shorts or a sarong and feeling the sun on my bare skin. I love having the freedom to be here, to move when we have had enough of a place, to take from a place just what we want, not trying to do all of the "touristy" things, just seeing the places that speak to us, even if it means staying at the campground most of the day for a week. I love meeting people from all over the world. I love living close to the earth and the elements. I love watching the shadow of a bug as it crawls over the outside of my tent as I'm typing this. I love having this moment, this time, right here, right now. So blessed!
2 comments:
Heyho Peachblossom.....
Couldn't agree more with you re the butterflies. They dance and flutter and I love you so much xx
*breathing it in* :)
Hey sweet :), love your 'postcards' about the life you are leading. I'm there with you looking at the creek, and the nicest thing is, I can see how happy your smile is ;)
xxx
nette
xxx
:)
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