In his book, Joy Of Camping, Richard Langer wrote that 'Stowing away to nature, if sometimes only for a weekend, restores the spirit as little else can.'
As I write this from my vacation spot in Bali, Indonesia (which is why my blog postings have been sparse) I am struck that for some people living on this very same planet as mine, camping is a way of life. Camping is not 'for a weekend', camping is not for 'counting falling stars beyond the misty gauze of our netted tent entrance…', camping is not a 'retreat', camping is living.
Who are these life campers? I met them today as my family and I rafted down the white waters of the beautiful Ayung river in Ubud, Bali. Once my nerves settled after a few bumps down the river, I started enjoying the beautiful lush foliage along the river, then I saw them. A straw hut, a clothes line, children carrying a tin pail to bathe, smoke rising from food cooking somewhere under the thatched roof.
At the end of our ride, I watch one of the Ayung river women pack up our raft, lift the 120-lb rolled-up raft on her head (picture below) to carry it up 200 steps to a waiting transport. Our outdoor adventure lasted two hours. Theirs will last a lifetime. What do you think of that? Drop a comment below.
View of the Ayung River – click to enlarge
A local Balinese lady carrying 120 lb raft on head – click to enlarge.
The Prime Directive of the Star Trek Federation dictates that there can be no interference with the internal affairs of other civilizations. Who are we to think that our brick and mortar homes make us better off?
My daughter will be going to Bali this summer with a student trsvel company….it looks beautiful