Last weekend, we went camping with a large group for a fundraiser but I wouldn’t really call it “roughing it” because we had gas-powered generators, rice cookers, water dispensers, lights, lots of “home-cooked” Vietnamese food, eating with real cutlery… it was more like tent city. It wasn’t until it rained and got soaked that we really felt like we were roughing it because our tent was further out (but Boyfriend’s dad saved us by putting up a huge tarp). If we didn’t go camping with the older folks, I’m sure we would’ve all died and went home early because it POURED on Saturday night until morning— only to see the sun come out as we were leaving. I love you, Vancouver [weather].
Here are my camping essentials:
- AIR MATTRESS. I don’t think I’m THAT prissy, but I am prissy. If I had to sleep on the ground, I’m sure I would hate camping. We bring pillows and wool blankets too… it’s just like sleeping at home and super warm. Yep, that’s how we rough it.
- A good tent. I don’t camp too often so as long as mine has good ventilation and is easy to set up, I’m happy. The tent I have now just opens and snaps/locks into place.
- Tarps. And lots of them, especially if you camp a lot around Vancouver because you will never know when it will rain.
- String/rope. How are you going to hang up your tarp?
- Flashlight/lantern. Good luck going to the washroom in the pitch dark.
- Toilet paper. Trust.
- Deodorant. If you can’t shower, at least try and eliminate some of the B.O.
- Hot dogs & alcohol. What is camping without hot dogs and alcohol?!
If I had all that, I’d rough it out anywhere, anytime. Well maybe if I also had more food, my allergy meds, lip balm, sunnies, music, a book, lots of dry socks, my fold-up chair with a foot rest, lemon-grass chicken wings and more alcohol, THEN I’d rough it anywhere.
Oh wait, I forgot the most important thing to bring when camping: GUYS. So they can do all the work; pitching the tents, cooking the food, starting the fire, cleaning up. Harharhar.
Anyway, I LOVE camping despite not being able to shower the days, wearing the same thing over and over and eating bugs while I sleep. Last weekend was a lot of fun and the highlight was in the afternoon, when some of us decided to go fishing after polishing off a couple cases of beer. You had to jump floating logs to get to the edge of the water and of course,  two of them fell in, one couldn’t swim and her priority was still to save the beer. Good times. Another camping essential: good company.
KATY:
