An update on the backpack.

You may remember the backpack's future was in question.

I ended up folding it up and bringing it with me in case I hopped a train to Munich on the weekend. (Didn't end up happening - coworker from the area took us around sightseeing)

On the flight back, hit a stickler at the check-in counter

*with shock and dismay* "Your suitcase is too heavy ma'am! What are we going to do?!"

um... let it go like the guy on the flight over? :p

"It's a 25 euro charge! You're lucky it's not over 35 kilos or we couldn't even take it!"

and I thought *I* was melodramatic. Especially since the stinking thing was like, 28 kilos.

"Do you have an extra bag?"

I suddenly remember my beloved backpack. Folding up in the front pouch of my suitcase. I repack a bunch of stuff into it. Grab my extra locks and lock its zippers together. (BRILLIANT move bringing the extra locks. At its advanced age, there's no way the zipper would've stayed closed during the treacherous journey so typical of checked luggage). Check it. (Slightly worried. My poor baby has never been checked before. Fear it will forever be lost to Singapore.)

Avoid the surcharge. Airline checkin man is noticeably calmer. Fly home. Retrieve both original (and now lighter) suitcase and beloved backpack (YAY!). Swing my new brown laptop bag over one should and my beloved backpack over the other. Sophisticated woman early in her career. Dreamer loving to cram a backpack full of clothes and hop on a bus. Grownup and young. Far too complex to be pigeon-holed.

Both bags required.