Chapter 1: The Unexpected Repair

A few years ago, while preparing for our return trip from India, my wife and I found that one of the straps on our suitcase was damaged. This made it cumbersome to retrieve the bag from the airport carousel. With only a few hours until our flight, buying a new suitcase was impractical, so I decided to manage with the faulty one until we returned to the U.S.

My father suggested, "Why not fix this strap? There's a cobbler nearby who can handle it quickly."

I was surprised by the idea; it hadn’t crossed my mind to repair it. In today's fast-paced world, we often prioritize time over repairs, believing that fixing things costs more than simply replacing them.

Despite my initial hesitation, I agreed to visit the cobbler. In a tiny shop at a bustling intersection, the cobbler welcomed my father with a warm smile. After hearing about the needed repair, he assured us it would be no trouble. While working, he chatted with my father about his family. Within ten minutes, the job was complete, and when my dad inquired about the cost, the cobbler seemed shy about charging for such a quick task. Nonetheless, my dad insisted on compensating him fairly.

Upon inspecting the craftsmanship, I was amazed at how well the strap was mended. It looked even sturdier than before.

What just occurred? I had a suitcase that was now functioning perfectly again. The repair was not only affordable but also prevented waste. Buying a new suitcase would have required new materials, transport, and labor, along with discarding the old one, which is decidedly less eco-friendly.

But that’s just the beginning.

Sitting there, I began to reflect on the significance of that suitcase. Perhaps it was the culmination of a wonderful vacation with my aging parents, but I was suddenly flooded with nostalgia. I thought of the many journeys my wife and I had taken with that suitcase since our marriage. It had become our very own Passepartout.

I recalled the presents it had carried, the joy on the faces of recipients, and the lovingly prepared food from my mother that we savored during our early morning jet-lag recovery. I remembered both the joyous and stressful moments—missed flights and unexpected delays.

With time's passage, the suitcase transformed from a mere object into a time machine. I could now revisit those memories effortlessly, seeing the broader landscape of experiences rather than just individual trees.

In our photo-obsessed culture, with millions of images shared daily, we often overlook the power that objects hold in evoking memories. Just like photographs, our belongings can serve as a means to relive moments and share them with future generations.

Consider heirlooms. Why do we hold them in such high regard? Often not because they are beautiful, but because they are tied to our ancestors and the stories they carry. Discarding items because they are no longer trendy or because we are too lazy to repair them means losing those precious memories. Others might possess fancier cars or suitcases, but they lack your unique stories.

Value your belongings because they each hold a narrative. Fix broken items instead of discarding them, preserving the memories intertwined with them. This approach is often more economical and environmentally sustainable. While some may label you a hoarder or a cheapskate, remember that as they chase new acquisitions, your possessions gain value with every new story.

And let’s not forget those skilled at repairing our treasured items—the cobblers, handymen, and fixers. They are, in essence, the time machinists who not only restore physical objects but also reconnect us with cherished memories. They allow you, as you grow older, to revisit your past and share those invaluable moments with loved ones.

To echo a famous advertisement: "Suitcase: $200. Memories: Invaluable."

Chapter 2: The Evolution of Luggage

This video explores the journey and transformation of luggage over the years, showcasing how it has adapted to our changing travel needs and styles.

Chapter 3: Lessons from Long-term Travel

In this insightful video, the creators reflect on their five years of full-time travel, sharing packing tips and the essentials they’ve learned along the way.