Zlaw’s Echo

Toothbrush? Check. Toothpaste? Check. Soap? Check. Matches? Check. Swiss Army knife? Also check. At least two changes of clothes, several pairs of underwear, a blanket, a towel, deodorant… Hard to believe your whole life can fit inside a single backpack, as ready to burst as it may be. When I moved out of my parents’ house, I had already felt like I was not taking much with me. And back then, I had furniture, books, pictures, teddy bears, trinkets, memorabilia… No more of that. This time, I have to travel light. No keys, no badges, no identification, no credit cards. I’m taking a little cash, just in case, though I doubt I’ll need it. No connected electronics either, or they could be tracked. I have already backed up everything important on an external hard drive, safely tucked in a special pocket close to my lower back. I don’t know when I’ll be able to access it again, but there is already so much I’m leaving behind, I couldn’t bear to also lose the stuff that does not weigh anythi...