Being woken up by the sound of the sea, the first glimpse of the day directed at the waves, while the coffee is being warmed up by the bubbling gas cooker and you can feel the pleasant breeze of the sea breeze on your face… Admittedly, that is a very romantic idea of a camping trip . While not necessarily unrealistic, it is not always true. Camping is often associated with mosquito bites, uncomfortable sleeping mattresses and cold nights. And yet it’s something that can give each of us a lot – if we put our minds to it.
It’s no secret: the last few years have been difficult for many people. Traveling was hardly possible, we were isolated from other people, freedom and distance. And now that the world is open to us again, it feels like everyone wants to go camping. This is not a wonder. Leave the uncertainty of the pandemic behind, forget the energy crisis and the Ukraine war for once and swap it for the birdsong by the lake or the rustling of the trees in the forest.
Just take a deep breath and slow down for a short time. Switching off from the deadline marathon at work, from social obligations in private life and the errands that adult life brings with it: taxes, bills, household chores. All of this can succeed if we simply get into the camper and drive into the blue, to put it somewhat exaggeratedly, of course.
Actually, the advantages of camping are obvious. If you are traveling with a camper, tent or mobile home, you are traveling very close to nature and down to earth. A lot of luggage can usually not be accommodated, we have to limit ourselves to the bare minimum. That may not sound like vacation and enjoyment at first, but it can be liberating. Because it forces us to ask: what do I really need to enjoy my vacation? Many will notice that it’s not just the ten outfits or the inexhaustible travel cosmetics that make us happy.
On the contrary: these things often distract us from what is important. About the new places we could discover just by opening our eyes instead of constantly looking at our smartphones or in the mirror. Both play a rather subordinate role on a camping holiday anyway. You can safely leave the mobile phone in your pocket and nature is merciful if we are not smartly dressed up. Vanities and the widespread fear of missing out have no place in the tent. Fortunately.
Even on well-attended campsites, and there are at least 3,000 of them in Germany, the campers quickly grow into a small community. Everyone greets the other, everyone is happy to see each other and also likes to celebrate spontaneous parties together. It’s a small parallel world where every camper just wants to have a good time. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a bank director or a construction worker. You are just human. An experience that we all too rarely have in everyday life – but which can be incredibly enriching. And liberating.
Freedom is another big reason for camping anyway. Wild camping is still allowed in many European countries, especially in Scandinavia. That means you can pitch your tent wherever you happen to be. Falling asleep under the northern lights and waking up in the middle of the national park with a view of the fjord – no problem. Of course, this also applies to special hotels. However, this not only costs a lot more, but also has a crucial shortcoming: the adventure factor of wild camping is lost. And there’s a certain charm to sleeping next door to moose and arctic foxes, doesn’t it?
Too much thrill? Camping is also about serenity and tranquility. If you travel with light luggage, you create space and time to get rid of inner ballast. Waking up at the lake in the morning, washing your cat, coffee with a view of the lake and just letting your soul dangle – that is not possible in chic design hotels and hotel complexes. Rather, the hustle and bustle continues there, which we already experience enough in everyday life: Breakfast at fixed times, then leisure program and consumption should not be missing either.
Anyone who is out and about in a camper in the Pampa does not even need a watch when in doubt. For a moment you can let go of the obligations that put us under increasing pressure, that we are always chasing after in order not to miss anything and to do justice to the meritocracy. In nature, nobody wants anything from us. The sun rises, the day goes its way, the sun sets. And we are just there and breathing, letting nature affect us and just doing what feels right for us at that moment. A feeling that each of us deserves – and in a turbulent time like the current one, perhaps more needed than ever before.
star editor Laura Schäfer has a different opinion. She says: Camping gives nothing but boredom, back pain and mosquito bites. You can read your comment here.
