Why do I love fishing and camping?

• The Cambodian-Filipino crew– the people I met from previous work and friends of a friend then we become a huge family. We are bound by the love of fishing and a good company. We learned from each other’s cultures. I look forward to eating Cambodian dishes that mom cook each time we eat together. Both (mom and dad) eat Filipino food especially when I visit them at home. We listen to Cambodian music in a boat nor Filipino music in a parking lot. Mom gave us sarong that looks like malong in our culture. It is like a fusion of a different culture but the same Asian ethnicity.

• The teamwork and initiative of each member– Each member take responsibilities such as renting a boat, going to the campsite, buy all necessary ingredients or tools for cooking food and having a feast, set-up a tent, start a fire, cook, clean-up and many more. It is like everybody is active and moving. Everybody participates in order to get things done.

• The fishing and boating-  I only fish once every year but do it more often this year. Going on a bigger boat (1st time) on extremely hot weather but I don’t care I want to be with the people close to me. The fishes were not biting because of extreme weather. We still had fun because we went swimming. I don’t know how to swim so I used the life vest. Everybody was jumping. We have fun except one but he was saved. We went on a small boat (2nd time) to go Barnley Island. It was very fun dancing and drinking for the bunso birthday.

• The bonfire- Every night we tell our stories while drinking. The challenge is who will be drunk this time. We poured our heart and soul (no judgment) and we give each other’s advice. We are each other’s support system. The last time we did ghost stories. We sleep in our own tent for the night or should I say midnight.

• Fishing the next day-  I usually woke up to go fishing sometimes early in the morning because we always catch fish the day after. We usually go to dam or different fishing sites. We catch more of blue gills, sheepshead or different kind of fishes. Fishing reminds me to never give up no matter how long it will take or how hard it is to catch a fish. They will bite just be patient! If you are not a pro, it doesn’t matter just be open to learn and continue to fish on!!!

• Misadventure and adventures- I drove and can’t find my way to Chain O Lakes. Don’t ask me how long did I take? Just very long so no driving for me for next time. Going on a small boat to the Barnley Island and the rope was broken and we have to problem solve so we can dock and not lose our boat. Packing up tents after raining was hard and messy and ask for help when it’s needed. The encounters with raccoons on different nights and things we do so they don’t take our food. No rice for Asian people for a whole day such a horror story. Making makeshift bathrooms when it was not available and so on and so forth. lol

These people made me appreciate life even more. Aside from my family and relatives, they are my support system. I am very blessed to be fishing with them for 3 years and more to be part of their family. I hope someday I can bring my nephew with me and teach him life skills. Always fish on!!!

What do you like to do during the summer?

YOU CAN HAVE THE NIGHTLIFE. I’LL TAKE THE FRESH AIR. THE BEAUTY OF THE OUTDOORS AND THE THRILL OF A SCREAMIN’ REEL- Pinterest