Simplicity is key when traveling on the pack. One must be critical in determining what are the necessities and what one could do without. Even after all these years of living on the knapsack, I always end up bringing something I never get to use anyways. Though one can argue between travel light vs. bring what you can carry, which is for another post all together.
Anyways, here are your travel basics.
Stroller baggage? Not for the backpacker. But of course! Or else he wouldn't be called a backpacker if he carried a stroller. D-uh! He'd be a stroller-er. Double d-uh!
Anyway, enough of this absolutely un-funny corniness.
The stroller baggage is only practical for city traveling, where there are flat surfaces that make rolling easy and various modes of transportation are easily available. For the adventurer wanting to visit the road less-traveled, the backpack is the must-have.
Aside from tiring less, the backpack would allow your two hands to be free. Free to scratch your head when you get lost, hold the hand of a friend or beloved while gawking at new and interesting sights or objects, or to spread them wide to embrace the thrill of the adventure.
A good size would be one that could carry five to seven days worth of clothing. You’re just going away for the weekend, you say? Well, I’m quite sure you will be bringing home more things that what you initially had from your trip. Or if not, when you are in a rush to catch the ride going home, you can just stuff you’re clothes in and not have to worry whether they fit in your bag or not.
Side pockets, though not a necessity, would be quite convenient. You can place small things like keys, loose change, pens, shells and stones you’ve picked up, a bottle of water, flip-flops, foldable jackets and other what-have-yous. Should you need something easily accessible, you wouldn’t have to open your entire back just to get it. Or if you want to stow away something, you can easily stuff it in your bag pocket. Just make sure you won’t end up in jail for doing that.
So go check your closet and look for that trusty backpack as it will be your constant companion in your travels. Make friends with it, give it a name if you want. I usually call mine, “yung bag ko (my bag)” or “Kelty” (its brand name). I got her last year at a bargain price of Php750.00 (around $17.00), when some officemates went to Zamboanga. When we checked its price on the internet, it’s selling price is $145.00. Boo-yah!
In my past blog life, I used to be biyaheng mindanao (travel mindanao). Initially, it contained details of my travel to Indigenous Peoples communities in various parts of Mindanao. At some point, I got too tired from the constant rush of going from one place to another without really seeing it. I couldn't be biyaheng mindanao anymore that I had to convert myself to the cross-eyed bear.
Thankfully, my desire to share the experiences of my journey to other people has resurrected. And I would like to serve as your virtual tourist as we explore every possible nook and cranny wherever the traveling feet takes us.
Welcome to BIYAHENG PINAS!
