A visual inventory of a sleep out
A few days ago, Drew slept over in Bloemfontein on his way from Cape Town to the Natal Midlands.
He slept over at a flat rented by Greg, Julian and Zandri. The flat has rooftop access.
At some point during the evening, the four of them decided to sleep outside.
This is a visual inventory of the evening, highlighting and contrasting different experiences of the night.
Enjoy.
In this specific instance, sleeping outside refers to sleeping in an outdoor courtyard on the sixth floor of a block of flats on the edge of the CBD.
The sleepers were exposed to both real and artificial nature. The floor of the courtyard had been laid with fake grass, while a few pot plants brought real life nature into the space.
In the morning, the sleepers could have watched swifts and sparrows wheeling through the sky if they had so desired.
Six mammals slept outside.
Four are visible in this drawing. Sushi the cat is inside Zandri’s sleeping bag and Greg the human took the photo from which this is drawing is drawn. You can see the bed he has recently vacated.
Drew reported sleeping very well, as did Greg. Julian didn’t sleep well, but he slept through, so he was glad.
Zandri slept badly because the cats were trying to get in and out of her sleeping bag all night.
There was a light wind to blow the mosquitos away and it was uncharacteristically cool for a Bloemfontein evening which made it easier to sleep.
Each of the sleepers chose different strategies for the protection of their hips and shoulders.
Drew slept on an old mattress with an older sheet over it.
Zandri slept on a big pillow Greg once made from a mat he bought in India.
Julian relied on the artificial grass they’d previously laid on the concrete.
Greg slept on an inflatable hiking mattress, which was thin but did its job.
The cats slept where they wanted.
on . in. whatever. wherever.
As with the mattresses, each sleeper adopted a different strategy to keep warm.
Drew slept in his old K-Way bag, which he bragged he’s slept more than 1000 nights in. He wrapped that in an old blanket.
Zandri chose her fancy new K-Way down bag that she is careful to store outside of it’s stuff bag.
Julian wrapped himself in his fleece comfort blanket and then climbed into Greg’s very thin summer sleeping bag.
Greg used his First Ascent sleeping bag as a duvet because it was too hot to zip himself in. His sleeping bag is named Carmen II. He also used, as a sheet, a blanket which he stole from his friend Su-Elna’s wedding.
The cats used their lush coats for warmth. And sometimes Zandri’s sleeping bag.
Some of the sleepers took nothing to bed with them. The cats for instance just arrived to sleep without any baggage.
Greg and Julian also seemed unperturbed by earthly possessions, choosing to leave everything except the bare minimum inside.
Zandri brought her shoes, cellphone and slippers to scatter around her bed, but it was Drew who really brought the power.
Next to his bed you’ll notice a watch, lighter, a pouch of tobacco, filters, and a pair of pants, which he took off before getting into bed. Luckily he kept his boxer’s on.
You’ll also notice that his hair is in a bun… there is so much of his hair that we are going to count it as a miscellaneous item.
Some of the sleepers took nothing to bed with them. The cats for instance just arrived to sleep without any baggage.
Greg and Julian also seemed unperturbed by earthly possessions, choosing to leave everything except the bare minimum inside.
Zandri brought her shoes, cellphone and slippers to scatter around her bed, but it was Drew who really brought the power.
Next to his bed you’ll notice a watch, lighter, a pouch of tobacco, filters, and a pair of pants, which he took off before getting into bed. Luckily he kept his boxer’s on.
You’ll also notice that his hair is in a bun… there is so much of his hair that we are going to count it as a miscellaneous item.
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And there we have it, a visual inventory of the time that Drew slept over and we decided to sleep outside.
