Day 241 of 365 - Sleepover Camp
You know that expression that goes something like, 'If you think you're enlightened, go visit your family for a week'? Well, I'm experiencing something along those lines, in a way. Nothing to do with my actual family though.
This past weekend, I was away at a sleepover camp for an annual event called NiaPalooza. I've spoken about NIA in other posts before. It is one of my most beloved fitness activities, a dance based form of exercise. Once a year, there is a weekend long event. It is held in a rented venue to accommodate 80 or so dancers, who come from all over. I have attended all 11 years and love the experience.
This year, for the first time, it was held outside the city, at an actual camp, with shared cabins. It was a beautiful location on a lake. But, I'm not really a camper. As a kid, I never went to camp. The only camping experience I have had, is a very limited amount of tent camping with my husband. However, I was willing to give it a try, and shared a bedroom with a good friend with whom I have shared accommodation before. Since it was quite a distance from the city, the organization was arranged to stay on site for the whole weekend. In the city, I could go to the classes, socialize a bit and go home.
The event was great. I loved the music, the classes, the dancing with so many familiar, and several new people. It's a great blast of energy to be dancing in a big room with so many people who love the same activity.
But, even though I know and love my fellow dancer cabin mates, I did not love cabin camping. Also, even though the camp staff were great and the food was good, eating in a big, noisy dining hall at picnic tables was sensory overload.
I certainly had the option to spend time on my own if I wished. I chose to socialize with some people on breaks, but did avoid big or noisy party situations. I'm exhausted. I did not sleep well, even though my body was physically tired from dancing. My senses are still adjusting.
It's kind of funny really, to look at how I coped with this. For all my talk of easing up and going with the flow of life this year, it's like the Universe pointing a finger at me. She is saying, 'See, you're more set in your ways than you may have thought', or, 'See, you think you are so tolerant of differences, but are you really?'
I did not have any overly challenging experiences. I had good conversations and fun with people. I was just out of my comfort zone.
It basically comes down to the fact that, essentially, I am a quiet, introverted person. I can enjoy being with groups on a time limited basis. However, the bulk of my hours are spent on my own or only around one other person. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. The weekend just affirmed it for me.
So, will I do that kind of event/location again? Nope, probably not. I would not be a good hostel traveler either, for that matter, not that it's in my plans.
It's funny what life teaches us. I don't even think it's a matter of being set in my ways because I'm older. It's what my personality has always been. As a youngster growing up in a big family, I didn't have a choice about being surrounded by a lot of people. Now, I do. I choose to honor that.
This past weekend, I was away at a sleepover camp for an annual event called NiaPalooza. I've spoken about NIA in other posts before. It is one of my most beloved fitness activities, a dance based form of exercise. Once a year, there is a weekend long event. It is held in a rented venue to accommodate 80 or so dancers, who come from all over. I have attended all 11 years and love the experience.
This year, for the first time, it was held outside the city, at an actual camp, with shared cabins. It was a beautiful location on a lake. But, I'm not really a camper. As a kid, I never went to camp. The only camping experience I have had, is a very limited amount of tent camping with my husband. However, I was willing to give it a try, and shared a bedroom with a good friend with whom I have shared accommodation before. Since it was quite a distance from the city, the organization was arranged to stay on site for the whole weekend. In the city, I could go to the classes, socialize a bit and go home.
The event was great. I loved the music, the classes, the dancing with so many familiar, and several new people. It's a great blast of energy to be dancing in a big room with so many people who love the same activity.
But, even though I know and love my fellow dancer cabin mates, I did not love cabin camping. Also, even though the camp staff were great and the food was good, eating in a big, noisy dining hall at picnic tables was sensory overload.
I certainly had the option to spend time on my own if I wished. I chose to socialize with some people on breaks, but did avoid big or noisy party situations. I'm exhausted. I did not sleep well, even though my body was physically tired from dancing. My senses are still adjusting.
It's kind of funny really, to look at how I coped with this. For all my talk of easing up and going with the flow of life this year, it's like the Universe pointing a finger at me. She is saying, 'See, you're more set in your ways than you may have thought', or, 'See, you think you are so tolerant of differences, but are you really?'
I did not have any overly challenging experiences. I had good conversations and fun with people. I was just out of my comfort zone.
It basically comes down to the fact that, essentially, I am a quiet, introverted person. I can enjoy being with groups on a time limited basis. However, the bulk of my hours are spent on my own or only around one other person. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. The weekend just affirmed it for me.
So, will I do that kind of event/location again? Nope, probably not. I would not be a good hostel traveler either, for that matter, not that it's in my plans.
It's funny what life teaches us. I don't even think it's a matter of being set in my ways because I'm older. It's what my personality has always been. As a youngster growing up in a big family, I didn't have a choice about being surrounded by a lot of people. Now, I do. I choose to honor that.
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