There is something so special about Bonfires…
There is a tradition in the United States, that kids are sent to Summer Camps, away from home, at a very early age. Camps are in the woods full of pine trees that surround a lake. Kids sleep in bunks or tents. You find all kinds of berries: blueberries, raspberries…
Back in the 80’s my parents sent me abroad to Summer Camp, as a little kid. They wanted me to learn a new language. For 2 months I was away from home, doing all kinds of outdoors sports, theater plays and bonding with other girls.
We would do outdoors trips, sleep in tents and at night gather around a campfire. I remember my first Bonfire. There was a large group of girls around the fire, singing. I could feel their joy and their energy. We would cook marshmallows with a stick until they melted and eat them with oreo cookies. We would tell stories. Bonfires were so exciting, they were a true bonding experience with other girls.
Million years ago, with the discovery of fire, our ancestors also gathered in a circle around the fire as a way to cook food and warm themselves. It became also a space for social purposes, a gathering place.
Fire for me has a spiritual meaning. It represents the inner light, creativity and change. It has clearing and transformational properties: breaking old habits and creating new ones. I imagine our souls as a fire. That is what it makes Bonfires so special.
I will never forget that camp experience. Summer camp creates memories that last forever. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. The Bonds I made at summer camp remain a lifetime.
Reading your stories and looking at your pictures, I just can’t believe there is people that as grownups, continue to live out in Nature with this camp spirit. It is as if you have the opportunity to be as a kid forever… It is magical. (I am so jealous though!). Modern civilization/ stressful lifestyle has forgotten what life really is. We have to always remember how our ancestors lived and their connection to Nature.
And you... Do you remember your first Bonfire?... What should be the Bonfire spirit?
È sempre emozionante ritrovarsi attorno al fuoco e condividere le proprie storie. Il fuoco è un elemento che unisce e ci stimola a confidarci con chi ci troviamo accanto. Non ricordo il mio primissimo bonfire, cito però il più emozionante della mia vita: nel 2012 con un amico ci trovammo a passare la notte in una grotta ai confini con il Tibet, nella regione del Sichuan. Trascorremmo l'intera nottata fissando le fiamme, una delle esperienze più incredibili e importanti della mia vita. A
Grotta near Tibet ?! Wow!....That really sounds like an adventure and an incredible bonding experience with your friend. Those kind of experiences that stick in our minds forever. Like a real cave man. Thank you for sharing ;)
A
Ciao Adriana!
Sembra assurdo ma non ho mai fatto un falò durante le mie avventure o qui vicino casa.
In viaggio avrei voluto farlo più volte, ma per via delle restrizioni dei parchi o per la mancanza di un luogo adatto non ci sono mai riucito.
Rimane un piccolo sogno che mi piacerebbe realizzare in futuro :)