I like big knives! and other new stuff...

My new knife :)


In preparation for my next four months, I have finally given in, and, yes, you won't believe it... bought some things. I'm really bad about buying new things for myself, because I hate spending money unless I absolutely NEED to, so my resistance to buying a new pack and shoes resulted in some debates with Mark, thus:

Mark: But you NEED new hiking shoes.
Me: Well, I don't NEED them. I could wear my old ones.
Mark: Aren't your old ones falling apart? Hasn't all the lining been worn out? Don't they KILL your feet within five minutes?
Me: Well, yeah, but I don't know if I absolutely NEED to buy new shoes.
Mark: Aren't you in horrible pain when you wear the old ones?
Me: Well, yeah, but-
Mark: YOU NEED NEW SHOES! BUY THEM!
Me: But-
Mark: BUY THEM!
(We had this discussion about 10 times.)

then the pack discussion:
Me: Well, I can just keep sewing the zippers and the shoulder strap. Even though the shoulder strap pops off every time I sew it, and I can't hardly carry the bag around.
Mark: That strap is demolished! You CAN'T carry that pack around. It's falling apart. You can't zip it. And that main strap won't even let you carry it.
Me: But packs are so expensive. I can just-
Mark: NO, you can't! Buy a new pack!
Me: But-
Mark: You NEED a new pack.

Mark says I have a very interesting idea about what I need. As in, any other reasonable person would recognize these things as necessities. I think perhaps I am being extravagant for buying nicer newer gear. But my old stuff is really in unusable shape.

So, I broke down. I found AMAZING North Face hiking shoes (retail 130 dollars) that were on sale for 90 bucks. They are like walking on air. I didn't know shoes could be that awesome! And I got a new pack (retail 175 dollars) at the Wilderness Exchange for 100 bucks. It's 6000 cubic inches (i.e. HUGE), and, best of all, the zippers and the straps all work.

Then, it was time for the "for me" purchase. And of course, what more could a girl like me want than a huge freaking KNIFE, just like I always wanted while traveling. I think I can't carry it in our country because it would be considered a concealed weapon, but it will be nice in Ecuador. I think it's a good compromise between the good ol' Swiss Army and a machete.

So I've spent a whopping 230 bucks for a pack, hiking shoes from God, and a bad-ass knife. But Mark keeps reassuring me that they are "necessities." I keep thinking about how 230 bucks is about my monthly budget down in Ecuador!

Thanks, Mom. I consider my complete unwillingness to spend money on things to be inherited from you!