The Magic Backpack

My backpack is dying. It’s my favorite backpack. I either need to get it repaired or get a new one. And I don’t like the new ones I’ve seen.

My parents bought me this backpack more about 20 years ago when I was getting ready to go to UT. We bought it at the old Whole Earth Provision Co in Austin (on Lamar I think). I remember it was kind of expensive, maybe $50, but I really liked it.

It went to college with me. It took me though 13+ countries in Europe in ’92. And even more on later trips.

It’s seen most, but not all, of the 31 states of Mexico (+DF).

It’s been to the jungles and beaches of Costa Rica. It’s seen the mountains and rain forests of Ecuador. It even survived a chase by monkeys on a monkey preserve after a trip in a canoe up a tributary of the Amazon.

The magic backpack has also been to Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.

It’s been on the Chao Phraya in Bangkok, the Nagarjuna Sagar in Andhra Pradesh, and the Quays of Singapore.

My backpack got the nickname “The Magic Backpack” a bit later and it should have gotten the name sooner, but it was gaining in fame. It is truly magical.

It’s been through countless bus rides and plane rides in the US. My magic backpack has been anally probed by the TSA and still likes to fly.

Getting it repaired may not be feasible, but I’m still checking.