Ahhhhhh…..

…. there is no greater feeling of freedom or independence than what I feel when EVERYTHING I need for a *long-term* existence is compacted into a small pack and strapped on my back.

Contents of my (X-Small Dana Bridger) pack:

• 2-liter water bottle
• Moleskin travel journal
• small digital camera
• underlayer trekking pants
• underlayer trekking shirt (wearing)
• outerlayer trekking shirt
• cargo pants (wearing)
• boots (wearing)
• chacos
• waterproof jacket
• waterproof pants
• leatherman
• 2 pair underwear
• 2 underlayer tanktops
• thermal fleece
• 2 pair sock liners
• 2 pair smartwool socks
• sewing kit
• toiletry sack
• pack towel
• Siddartha by (Herman Hesse) in Spanish
• Travel Spanish Dictionary
• sunglasses
• bandana
• convertible hat/scarf
• sleep sack
• toilet paper
• mini flashlight & headlamp
• combination lock
• bandaids & tylenol

And with thus I arrived at the ticket office 10 minutes ago and bought my bus pass to Baionne, France.

Departing in 39 minutes…

Which gives me exactly 38 minutes to revel in this moment.