What you think when you go camping again for the first time in 20 years

Googles: what should I bring to the campsite? I have no idea.

Mosquito spray, because it's nature, and maybe a flashlight? I don't think I even have one. Oh, my phone of course. Definitely flip-flops for the shower and also something easy to slip on for the journey. Shoes for when it rains, shoes for when the sun shines. Quite complicated. I went camping for the first time in 20 years. to the campsite and then you think of things.

I'm already laughing while I'm still at home.

Can I actually manage with a carry-on suitcase at the campsite? I don't have a weekend bag, damn.

Note to self: don't forget the mosquito spray. I'm a walking treat for anything that stings and bites.

Just need to pack the French press and get good coffee. You don't think I'm doing it for a cup of instant coffee, do you?

Once at the campsite…

How many zippers can a tent have? Six (!) for a two-person tent then. Three for the mosquito net (vital in my case), three for the flap, and then those little strings to tie everything down. Good grief.

At the campsite, you immediately remember that shoes are overrated. It's uncomfortable to put them on while balancing on one leg, and it's awkward to take them off when you're already bent over fiddling with a zipper. Flip-flops then? Usually the solution, until it rains for three days straight and you end up sliding through the mud across the campsite. Advice: always bring rubber boots when you go camping.

Because we were at a nature campsite, the grass was up to my knees and suddenly you realize you're a city person. With everything that tickles my toes, I jumped three meters in the air the first hour. But you get used to it, until you think something is a big blade of grass and it turns out a huge beetle has invaded your lower leg.

Can we talk about beach chairs? In a natural environment, nothing is straight, causing things to collapse if you move even a centimeter. I've had to pick myself and my bestie up from the ground at least fifty times.

This campsite was of the caliber ‘we have toilet paper’, but the toilet building takes some getting used to. Especially when your bra and top slide off the hook after showering, and you dive after them in slow motion, only for them to fall into a huge puddle.

Luckily, I didn't forget my towel, that would have been embarrassing.

But always look on the bright side and I did. So I walked through nature from tent to toilet building on a sunny morning, and that was really nice. I was sort of sleeping outdoors and woke up at six in the morning to the chirping of the birds. I laughed really hard at myself all weekend, and laughing and even exercising are healthy. It might take a while, but maybe I'll try camping again.

And I didn't even have to set up my tent myself, can you imagine.