Learning the Local Ropes

Sometimes it just takes time. Within a few weeks, the same place that once appeared complex, confusing, and unique can gradually morph into a place of comfort, without you necessarily realising it in the moment. Most of the time this year, as we just start to get the hang of things, we’re back on the road. You know you’re never settling down, nor bypassing the unfamiliarity. Instead, you can elect to embrace that same unfamiliarity. It came become an exciting novelty, and a stimulating catalyst for adventure and story.

But, when you set up camp for forty days, a homeliness is nice. Even after now fifteen of those days, plenty still feels uncharted and doesn’t quite fit into life’s rhythm in the way I might envision. Equally, though, as I’m now just realise, pieces have been slotting into places.

Acquiring water is now a daily ritual. Use the 1฿ refill stations to replenish one, large 7L bottle. That bottle just fits into my little trail backpack. Light when empty, still not too heavy when full. Using the bikes we rented has become seamless. I’ve figured out how to best manage the lithium battery, where to park them, and how to lock and unlock them in an efficient way to avoid the swarm of mosquitoes I attract while stationary. The heat is oppressive, but I now have go-to outfits for staying cool at home and avoiding sunburn while out. Speaking of, we also now know how to maximise the fan, aircon, and windows in our room efficiently for that much-needed reprieve.

I’ve gotten comfortable with the kitchen, establishing a storage system for the fridge and bench top. I know how I like the deck to be arranged, what the fastest route to the beach is, and the ATM with the lowest fees. We’ve located where you can wash your clothes for a fifth of the price, in a tenth of the time. The best meals in town. The cheapest meals in town. Where the random, biweekly fireworks are.

We understand the cheapest and easiest way to get a taxi, and also how to avoid needing a taxi, such as by making a weekly pilgrimage to the grocery store work with just a bike and a backpack. We’ve realised you can play music through the TV, using it like a speaker. I can also mirror my laptop screen to watch a show in bed. My body clock has adjusted to the natural rhythm of sunrise and sundown, in tune with the inescapable cicada beat.

Slowly, but surely, we’re learning the ropes. It takes longer than you might first think, but the impact is significant. There definitely is comfort within routine.