To sleep under the open sky, to cowboy camp, to free camp. I don’t really know what it’s called, all I know is that it hits differently.
Falling asleep to the crickets chirping while watching the infinite number of shiny dots. Waking up to the songs of birds, buzzes of bees, the smell of fresh air and just observing how the sky lights up to get the whole world ready for the day. It all sounds so miraculous, right? And it is! It’s just that, it’s not everything that’s to it.
“The more angles I see, the more confused I get”
Phil Simms
There is also the waking up several times a night, trying to get just a bit more comfortable. Or that wondering, of what could possibly that weird sound or shadow be. The shakes from the cold and the tightening up of the sleeping bag so no warmth sneaks out.
The backpack is lighter when there needn’t be a tent. Looking for a spot to lay your head is only as simple and as difficult as you make it. You feel a bit more animal-like because suddenly you think more about the basic needs than about anything else, really.
“Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.”
Confucius
You may see a rabbit jumping around or a bat flying above; bugs and mouses sneaking around. You may hear dogs barking, cows mooing, or voices of some people nearby; the ringing bell of a church, or in the worst case – buzzing mosquitoes. You may witness deers running just a few meters above your head, be awaken by the stumping of a hedgehog or interface with any other member of the animal kingdom.
But in the end, it’s only up to you, if you find it amazing or scary (usually scary in the moment, and amazing a few hours later). Indeed it can be intense. You feel free but way more vulnerable. You’re there, laying in the grass and once you fall asleep, you’ll be unaware of anything around you. Does that scare you? Because it may.
“Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me.
Danger is very real. But fear is a choice”
Will Smith – After Earth
It’s funny how at night a fallen leaf landing on the grass can be so loud. How a broken twig or the sound of birds wings immediately catches your attention. All these little things that we don’t even notice during the day, can easily make you jump at night when everything is quiet.
All you need to do is to find your peace and control your mind. I just think that everyone should go, and experience all this at least once in their life. Because it makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger. It makes you feel a bit more unsafe. But we all need that little kick out of our comfort zone right? So go, do it. You may not get much sleep on the first night, probably not even on the second. But trust me that the dewy morning will be totally worth it.
Where I have been 