Making It Fit

Anyone who has taken a trip with me anywhere knows that I am guilty of not just over packing, but have severe over packing syndrome. Though my trip is still seven weeks away I am surviving my post graduation unemployment blues via stretching out all the errands I need to run in late April over this length of time. This way, every week feels as if it is the final week before I depart Calgary for much more exciting exotic destinations, or to be frank, I can space all my purchases out just enough to avoid maxing out my student visa card, which by the way has an incredibly low limit.

This weeks mini-adventure was to track down a suitable object to pack enough things into to last me 2 months overseas. This meant I had to resurface at the MEC establishment which I shamefully fled back in my job hunting days. I stared up at the wall of backpacks, duffel bags, suitcases, and all the hybrids in between, "sweet Jehovah" I muttered. I immediately grabbed the largest backpack slash duffel bag I could spot. "This isn't big enough..there is no way!" I exclaimed, likely spooking the families and outdoor enthusiasts that surrounded me. I am fairly certain that a bag the size of my house could be hanging there, and I still wouldn't believe that I could fit enough stuff in it. So many questions, so few portable travel therapists on hand to talk me down from the tower of fear I was standing atop of. "Do I need a raincoat? .. Will it rain? .. Does it rain in Africa? .. Isn't that why they have so many problems? .. I think the Nile provides sufficient moisture.." were the types of question trains choo'ing around my mind.

Soon enough, likely due to the frantic look on my face, as I had the largest backpack down on the floor unzipping every possible opening and evaluating the possibility of living out of this small space for two months a clerk came over to assist me. A worker who I trust skate skis, and camps every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. "Looks like you might have some questions?" I slowly climbed up from the floor and explained the situation, and how I have a fear of running out of backpack space. "This bag is 130L, the biggest one we sell, its more then enough room for what you need." I kept my skepticism of her qualifications to myself, and admitted that perhaps I could temporarily accommodate the possibility of getting a smaller sized bag. "You can just bring like 4-5 shirts, a pair of pants and shorts" again I tried to imagine myself surviving under these circumstances. She unzipped the bag and tried to explain why a 110L bag might be more appropriate. My mind was occupied with my vivid imagination, trying to imagine how this skimpy looking bag could hold 110, 1L milk cartons. "...do you think so?" I heard just the end of her sentence, and nodded in agreement. I explained that I would sleep on it and come back soon for a second look.



For the second time in not long enough, I was leaving this store feeling as if I should be running, or perhaps it would be more appropriate if I 'trail ran' back to my car.

B