Tag Archives: what matters

Life in a Backpack, Part 3

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After seeing Qaddafi’s tent, I am thinking life as a semi-nomad takes a lot of logistical planning. 

But I still think you can put your life in a backpack (but credit cards and cash in your front pocket). Of course you would have to wear your backpack as a frontpack like you were carrying a baby, because if your life is (figuratively speaking) in your backpack, you would really need to watch it. 

Then you would need a camera to document just how bad your life is that you were forced to pack up your life in your frontpack.

 I am going to rest now from all of this thinking.

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Life in a Backpack, part 2

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So, what do you really, really need in life that you can port in a backpack?

The backpack matters only if one thinks one’s will continue life as it was before — more or less — after the momentary catastrophe ends.  And, of course, that one’s family survives.  Otherwise, there is not a damn thing I need that would come in the backpack.

So, I visualized my son’s backpack.IMG00009

water (today there is only sparkling water in the fridge; we don’t usually buy bottled water for eco-friendly reasons) and food (high energy, low bulk) and for two or so days.

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Some feminine products if it is that-time-of-the-month.  A picture of my parents and siblings taken when I was about five years old — it is a family classic.

All of the life, disability, long term care, homeowner and liability insurance policies (assuming they are worth anything these days).  Passports.  A laptop or blackberry.

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Life in a backpack

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A family friend once had to pack up to flee a hurricane and there was room only for her, her dog and her backpack.

So, what would you do if you had to strip down your needs to what can fit into a backpack?

Me, I have been ruminating over this since Sunday  evening when I heard the story.  While our friend was recounting this, I thought of the time my sister, then 6 years old, announced that she, my brother (then 5 years old) and I (2 years old) were running away from home and I decided that I needed to pack my bathing suit.  I hope, now 43 years later, I will make better decisions.

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