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Poorly done

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever been camping?

I wrote last year about my hate-hate relationship with camping. Paying money to live like a homeless person and live among the bugs where there’s no (or little) running water.

Sitting around a fire in the evening swatting at mosquitoes, the smoke blowing in your face and stinging your eyes. Waking up in the morning with your hair smelling like a forest fire.

Not my idea of a good time.

I’ve camped plenty of times. In a tent, in a camper, in a mini motorhome and in a cabin. They all suck.

I’ve said this before that if I had grown up in a concrete jungle, then hey, sure I’d love to venture into the woods and act out the whole woodsy, outdoorsy vibe for a few days. Probably would be a nice change.

But I grew up on a farm, in the middle of nowhere. In amongst the trees and fields. It was quiet. It was peaceful. We had to watch our water consumption so we didn’t have a hot shower every night. Our free time was mostly spent outdoors, running through paths in the bush, swatting at the insects buzzing around us.

So I didn’t grow up craving more of that. I grew up craving city life. Concrete sidewalks and streets. Old buildings and interesting architecture. Cafes and coffee shops. The sound of traffic, of sirens. The sounds of busyness and chaos.

I’m not saying I will absolutely never camp again, because I know kids love camping and I want to give Sid that experience, but if and when I do, it will be very comfortable. I’m not into roughing it but I can suck it up for a few days for Sid.

Screenshot
Taz & I, around 2013, coming back from the remote cabin my ex-husband and I bought (remote meaning on an island)

12 responses to “Poorly done”

  1. i can totally understand your attitude towards camping. this is why i’m really surprised at how much in trend it is on social media pages like instagram and youtube. maybe i can do a bumper pull but after that it hits a point of diminishing returns (i.e. 5th wheels). having a source of constant clean running water with good faucet pressure to match is a luxury so underrated by the masses that it’s frightening. great read CJ
    Mike

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lol it is frightening you’re right Mike! And thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Whoah that is really remote, an island. I don’t mind camping it’s being bit and having to use the bathroom that gets me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes exactly, hot showers (or baths in my case), comfy beds, no bugs…that I can do!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. You do strike me as a bit of a city girl born into a country girl’s life!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Joe, enjoying your book by the way!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m so glad to hear it! Thanks for reading–

        Liked by 1 person

  4. I think you have the same idea as my Dad. He was from the country, and he always used to say that only city people camp, country people like to stay in motels. So we always had road trips staying in hotels.

    Having said that I met my ex-wife camping!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Okay yesssss, glad I’m not the only one lol

      Liked by 1 person

  5. “Paying money to live… ” Never thought of it that way. 😂 Lovely photo.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Michele ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I’m gradually upgrading my camping gear for more comfort. It’s too difficult to get comfortable in a tent these days. But even after a night of uncomfortable sleep, there is nothing like a hot cup of coffee, in the quiet morning watching the sun rise…

    Liked by 1 person

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