On being grateful...

(I thought this photo was appropriate for this post - look at the deep thinking going on! Love you J x)

The other day we were talking about an idea we had for a post titled 'you know you're backpacking when...' I can't remember all the things we listed but it got us giggling thinking of all the things that are important to you when you are backpacking.

A few examples - 
You know you're backpacking when...
* You look forward to laundry day and the smell of clean clothes. As in, reeeealy look forward to it. Highlight of the week kinda thing.
* You're level of acceptable cleanliness in accomodation is lowered significantly (and level of acceptable clothing cleanliness).
* It's a miracle to have all the cooking untensils you need to prepare dinner in the hostel kitchen - can opener anyone? (thank god for your swiss army knife nainie!)
* TV is a huuuuge treat. TV in English is an even bigger treat.
* You can't really remember what it feels like to walk without a 15kg backpack on your back. Having a closet is a distant memory.

It was a bit funny and silly but it really got me thinking. Our concerns weren't material. Our cravings weren't for a big house or a car or new clothes or anything. Just for a hot shower, or a comfy bed, a homecooked meal. Simple, everyday things that we would never think twice about at home. Stuff we take for granted every single day. I guess this is what backpacking is truly about. It's about growing as a person - yes the things you see are incredible, beautiful and unusual, but at the end of the trip you leave all that behind. You take your memories of course, but seeing the Eiffel Tower isn't what changes you. Seeing people live in tiny huts, women who choose to wash their clothes in the river even though they could use the washing machine, because in their culture that is the only time it is appropriate to be outside. Realising that you really don't need STUFF to be complete. I'm trying not to get all preachy here (unsuccessfully it seems!) but it's like it all clicks in place. I'm not about to come home and live in a tent or anything (although that may be a possibility haha!) but I hope, seriously hope, that I will remember this feeling. Remember what matters. Remember that I missed the simple things. I really don't need that much to be happy.