Fanny Pack - but only for long-distance travel
3.11.2022
Translation: machine translated
For years I despised friends. Four weeks ago, I got one for myself. I'm talking about the fanny pack. Unfortunately, this thing is really practical - at least for long-distance travel.
For me, the fanny pack was a clear fashion no-go for years. My parents tie it around their waist for the dog walk, filled with treats. American fathers with New Balance shoes and sleek Oakley sunglasses strap it on as a matter of course on every city trip. And on every Aargau dogverlocheten, they adorned, scherpen-like, all the village youth present.
Embarrassing. Never would I buy one of those. Practicality or no practicality. I'd rather have my shoulder hurt because a burlap bag is hanging off me on one side. I'd rather stuff everything into crossbody bags that can only be closed very insecurely. I even prefer to carry a backpack and take it in front of my chest in crowded places.
Of course, the small bags are now also available in designer versions. They float down the catwalks of the world on stylish models. And they really do look elegant and graceful. Unfortunately, I am neither a model nor am I beautified by six hands in the morning. On me, the fanny pack looks trampy and unsophisticated. I don't let glossy pictures tell me otherwise either.
This was my opinion a few weeks ago. And then came India.
Three days before departure, I clicked through the range of fanny packs. A wedding in Delhi and subsequent solo travel through the north-east of the country made me doubt my stubbornness. India is home to almost 1.4 billion people. Crowding is more likely to be the norm than the exception. Besides, I would be sleeping in night trains where I will probably be glad to carry my valuables close to me.
The Springer model by Eastpak in subtle black ends up in the shopping basket.
And what can I say. Every day I strapped the thing around my neck in analogy to the Aargau party-goer. In the end, carrying it diagonally seemed more stylish than the satchel version. Passport, money, camera, mobile phone, lip balm and chewing gum were always at hand. The thing didn't get in my way when I was eating by the roadside. And the small size forced me to prioritise, for which my body thanked me with loose shoulder muscles. Another plus point: because I never had to take the bag off, I couldn't leave it anywhere (unlike a book and a linen shirt)
.
In India, I was incredibly grateful to the little bag for its services. Since I've been back in Switzerland, however, it's been hanging drearily on a coat hook. Here I have unlimited choice of all my bags and clothes and hardly ever get into trouble, even in the middle of the city of Zurich. And above all: I am much more vain. I can't take this thing to any restaurant, bar or museum. As a tourist, looking like a tourist is still just about OK. As a local, however, I just don't want to be mistaken for a tour group participant on the way to Interlaken.
The Fanny Pack has had its day. At least until I set off on my travels again and hand in my fashionable dignity together with my 70-litre backpack at the check-in counter.
My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
Fashion
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