I have this old blue backpack. It’s a trusty friend, ever since I found it in an incongruously ritzy shopping mall in India. From stowage compartments of Airbus A320s, sometimes under the seat in front of me, to overnight train trips, used as a pillow once or twice, to office life, lugging my laptop and miscellaneous ethernet cords, it never let me down. Since I got invited on this trip without much prior warning, I was planning to enlist its help. Well, the zipper failed the night before I plan to leave (no doubt, I stuffed too many things inside) and there we go. I must now make a last minute trip to the store for a new one. I’m letting my old friend carry my gear for a while as a reward for its trusty service in the Himalayas* and many other places. I think I’ll even let it meet the new one.

*Well I’d be exaggerating to say I actually got into the Himalayas very far but anyway it feels fun to brag with that word.