Who would have known that such an unassuming bag would
unearth keys to a treasure? Days gone by, after marriage and motherhood, I
pulled out the faded black carry-on, buried beneath slippers and stationary
stock, that had once been my constant companion. Last seen, I transported my
jewellery box when we moved almost two years ago, and hadn’t touched it since.
My jewellery box contains pieces from my youth and old keepsakes, no longer
worn. I didn’t intentionally send myself on a sentimental journey, my husband
was wondering about the chain he used to wear that was kept on our old dresser,
and figured it had been tucked into the jewellery box for the move. Lo and
behold, there it was, but the real find was the myriad of items revealed once
with the box out of the case. Keys to a flood of memories.
A dark blue lighter
with Iberostar Dominicana
printed in white on the side, the once trusty fire starter reduced to releasing
a powdery puff when flicked. An odd assortment of change from around the world
concealed in the folds of fabric and netting. A small bag tucked deep into the side section with
a pink razor, two nail files, iron pills, tweezers, toe clippers, a hair tie, a
miniature bottle of Vicks VapoRub, and a strange factory sealed bag containing what
appears to be papery pink underwear. I
don’t know what I’d planned for that particular little getaway, but it doesn’t
sound like anything I’d like to be involved in now. Tickets stubs from Jersey
Boys and Evil Dead: The Musical. A pen from the Pickle Barrel and a receipt from
Bâton Rouge for $123.25. One Sun Globe lime green eye cover, and finally, one
Air Transat double pronged headphone jack adapter (do they even use those
anymore?)
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| Vagabond's Pocket Change |
This trusty old Samsonite was my travelling partner in days gone
by. I always kept essential items inside, ready for a quick pack attack before heading
out the door. So in the habit of saving it, ready to go, for “proper” trips,
that I’d never considered it in the recent years where my feet tend to tread on
hiking trails and my hotel stays are mainly one night getaways. I found myself
swinging it over my shoulder earlier this evening, remembering when its weight on
my shoulder came with the security of knowing I carried with me all I needed in the
world. There is so much about those days that I remember fondly, but my current
travel style dovetails nicely with my infinitely more structured life, and I’m
often bewildered at how happy I am with that fact. Regardless, the old girl
deserves better than a dusty corner of the closet, it’s time for a reunion with
the outside world.
As for the items, some keepsakes have found new homes, but for the most part? Out with the old, in with the new. The May long weekend is fast approaching—the unofficial kickoff to summer 2012—so I’ll be packing up and hitting the road. Sunscreen and floss will replace Sun Globes and lighters, and I’m certain my son will sneak in a few Transformers, once his own travel backpack is busting at the seam, but the coins? They can stay. Who knows where we may end up? After all, wanderlust has no cure.
As for the items, some keepsakes have found new homes, but for the most part? Out with the old, in with the new. The May long weekend is fast approaching—the unofficial kickoff to summer 2012—so I’ll be packing up and hitting the road. Sunscreen and floss will replace Sun Globes and lighters, and I’m certain my son will sneak in a few Transformers, once his own travel backpack is busting at the seam, but the coins? They can stay. Who knows where we may end up? After all, wanderlust has no cure.