It's official. I have a backpack--one small enough there's no way I'll be able to bring that 7th pair of shorts or stack of American candy bars to remind me of dear ol' home sweet home (pun intended), but big enough I can bring all that I 100% need. It's a Kathmandu 70 + 10 High Peak...5,000-6,000 cubic inches...not bad, eh? Limited number of outside pockets (good for travelers and tourists, as the backpack is consequently less pickpocketable), expandable brain, detachable fanny pack, adjustable size, hydration system, etc. It also comes with a tiny little orange emergency whistle attached to the chest buckle. Not sure how much good it will do me when I'm about to be devoured by one of Australia's many, many, many deadly creatures. But it's nice that the Kathmandu backpack people thought of it anyway. It at least makes me feel safer.

Not going to lie, I've spent more than a few minutes a) stuffing my backpack with miscellaneous items to give it a "full" appearance, and b) buckling it on and admiring myself in front of my full-length mirror, then c) thinking to myself, "Damn, I look good." I'm not normally the accessorizing type, but god does this make me feel like a legitimate traveler. Thank you, Overstock.com, for this amazing $85 find. And your $1 shipping.