Good bye to my favorite travel buddy….
My backpack.
I started college back in 2005 and got a parttime job at a local eddie bauer store. With my employee discount, I purchased a brand new backpack to start a new school and new era of my life. That backpack has been with me through it all – through undergrad and grad school. I stuffed it with clothes through all my moves back and forth from college to Maryland for my summer camp job. A semester abroad in Germany. New moves to apartments during college and thereafter. Every travel trip. My graduation trip to South Africa. Work visits to Australia, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Multiple personal trips all around Europe.
It’s been loyal. It’s been reliable. It’s been one of the most consistent things in my life to have through so many milestones. Not to mention – Talk about quality, zippers and buckles still work, no holes. Other than the fact it’s 25+ years old, it’s still ok. Two large compartments with a hidden section, a smaller compartment in the front. It literally was perfect for both school and travel.
But, something told me it’s time to let it go. After emptying it from my latest trip to Ireland, it just looked droopy and exhausted. The padding on the back was falling out. Although zippers still functioned the zipper threads were worn. Recently, I had bought a new backpack for travel. It’s a bit smaller which will challenge me to pack less. I’ll donate Old Reliable because I don’t have the heart to trash it. It’s been through so many stages of my life that it’s hard to say goodbye. Hopefully it will find someone who will give it a calmer life.
Fare thee well, my friend.
