On Being Prepared

Hey Kids!

Sometimes (surprisingly often), I get emails asking me about this and that.
Rarely are these questions about deep philosophical or metaphysical stuff.
Well, actually never about deep stuff.

However,
One question I have gotten many times is about  .......... 
take a look at the title of this post.

Yep, being prepared.
Makin' it up as I go along is more my style.
So ....... I consulted the experts.
I sought out the most 'prepared for anything' people I could find.

Who would that be?
Well, that would be the 'Big Ass Daypack' (BAD) people.

Sidetrip .....
You're out and about.
Up ahead you see 3 or 4 people wearing panama hats. (possible gringos)
Or ..... big daypacks. (probable gringo)
Hats and packs ....... bingo!
Really, I have never seen so many old turds with huge overstuffed daypacks.
I have often wondered what they are toting around.

So, anyway, I go to a gringo hangout and ask a few BAD folks what are in their BADs.

I took these 3 pics all at the same time, same place.
Literally just turned in different directions,
without moving. Snap, snap, snap. 5 seconds.

Sooooooooo, here's what I learned.
I was a tad overwhelmed, so I have tried to categorize some of it.

Medical Emergency:

- snake bit kit

- insulin

- nitro glycerine tabs

- extra oxygen bottle

- Aleve

- Xanax

- anti-psychotics (gotta have those)

- ace bandage

- gauze

- antiseptic

- band aides

- adult diapers (there are all kinds of emergencies)

- duct tape 

Paranoia:

- machete 

- stun gun

- pepper spray

- telescoping baton

- brass knuckles 
- trench knife

- duct tape

Health, Beauty and Personal Hygiene:

- make-up bag

- sunhat (Panamas .... the good one's roll up.)

- sunscreen

- lip balm

- halazone tablets 

- bug repellent

- dentures …. in the BAD?

- sunglasses 

- spare glasses

- bottle of water 

- bar of soap

- toilet paper

- kleenex

- wet wipes / butt wipes

- toe nail clippers

- tooth brush

- toothpaste

- floss
- duct tape

WTF? :

- viagra 

- condoms  (seriously? condoms?)

- duct tape

(I was a little surprised here.  They looked like such sweet old gals.)

Travel Aids:

- electronic translators

- English-Spanish dictionaries 

- GPS

- safari vest

- maps

- Lonely Planet guide

- passports

- compass

- peanut butter

- duct tape

Miscellaneous:
- umbrella

- spare socks

- pith helmut (OK, I made that up.)

- tablet computer

- phone and tablet chargers

- rope 

- flashlight

- spare camera battery

- $$$$$$

- pen/pencil

- little spiral notebook

- business or calling cards with contact info

- dog biscuits 

- soy sauce (the soy sauce in the chifas SUCKS)

- matches

- candy bars (2)

- handkerchief 

- magnifying glass

- binoculars (bird watching?)
- duct tape

I was going to ask this guy about his BAD.
I didn't.

So, mystery solved.
That's what's in those BADs.

If you have any other questions, I'm your guy.

Life is Sweet,
Clarke

PS:  "Be Prepared" is the Boy Scout Motto.