Summary

The author pays homage to their trusty suitcase, which endured numerous travels and hardships across Africa before reaching its retirement.

Abstract

The article is a heartfelt tribute to the author's suitcase, which was well-used and showed signs of a full life before it came into their possession. Over two years, the suitcase braved the rigors of travel in Africa, suffering damage such as broken handles and straps, and even being split open. Despite these trials, the suitcase remained faithful in transporting the authors' belongings. Eventually, the suitcase was retired and replaced, but the authors express deep gratitude for its unwavering service and the character it brought to their journeys.

Opinions

The authors express a personal connection to the suitcase, referring to it as a "good ol' chap" and acknowledging its past life before it became theirs.
They appreciate the suitcase's resilience, noting its endurance through rough conditions, including being dropped from buses and dragged through dirt, grease, and dust.
Despite its wear and tear, the suitcase is remembered fondly for its reliability and ability to carry the heaviest items.
The authors feel that the suitcase's replacement, while shiny and new, lacks the unique character and robustness of the old suitcase.
They wish the old suitcase a peaceful afterlife in "suitcase heaven," suggesting a playful anthropomorphism and a sentimental attachment to the inanimate object.
The authors encourage readers to support them by tipping on Ko-fi, subscribing through a referral link, or following their social media accounts, indicating a desire to engage with their audience and potentially receive compensation for their content.

HUMOR | TRAVEL | SUITCASE

An Ode To Our Suitcase

You were a good ol’ chap.

Still remnants of red African dirt on there! Photo Credit: Author

Oh suitcase, you were so good to us!

You had already had a big traveling life when we obtained you from my parents in Canada at the end of 2019. Back then you had been treated well and you still looked really nice.

None of us really understood or could predict the adventures that you would find yourself in.

You were drug around Africa for over 2 years. You fell off the top of buses and were kicked, dropped, and drug through the dirt on numerous occasions.

Your handle broke, your straps broke.

Getting dropped from the bus bent you in terrible ways. Photo Credit: Author

You split down the side more than once. You were repaired and you split again.

You were thrown under the bus with grease and dirt and dust. You were written on with jiffy marker in Sudan many times.

Written on numerous different times in Sudan. The pop-up handle to drag it broke off many months ago. Photo Credit: Author

You carried our heaviest things and you did your best. We are thankful for your service to us, but your days are now done.

We are sending you up to suitcase heaven where we hope the buses are clean, you don’t have to ride on the roof, and your owners won't drag you through mud, rocks, and dirt.

May your wheels glide over smooth pavement, and may your handles work well into eternity.

Grease stains from under a bus. Photo Credit: Author

You have now been replaced by a shiny and new red and black model. While it doesn’t have the character that you had, and its wheels are not as good as yours we think it will serve our purposes well.

A new shiny red model. Photo Credit: Author

But we will never forget your commitment to us, and how you brought our things from point A to point B. Not many suitcases have gone through what you did, and for that, we are very grateful.

We thank you for your service to us, you were a good ol’ chap.

Celebrating 5 Years As Nomads!

And coming full circle to where it all began.

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