I want my condenser backpack with me already

Believe it or not, this idea has been on my mind lately: being able to go somewhere simpler and only take the essentials with me. I find the idea of being able to fit everything that is valuable to us into a backpack interesting, and I would like to note that some of the things that are so important to me do not fit into a backpack.

For my little family, which consists of my husband, my four cats, and me, our dream is to move to a much quieter and more natural place. So the idea of moving to a place full of simplicity is not at all a crazy idea, but a dream that, God willing, we hope to fulfill. So even though I hadn't thought about what I would take in my bag, I have an idea of what I could do, and here it is.

My four kitties weigh between 5kg and 3kg, so a carry-on bag would be very useful. Honestly, our cats haven't been with us as long as other people's pets, but for me they are part of the family and very important, as they contribute to my daily happiness and, although he won't admit it, to my husband's too.

I could say that I am content to have only my family with me wherever I am, but there are other essential things that I have learned I need if I go to a remote, simple, rural place. So, in that backpack, I would pack rubber boots. These would be very useful for working in the fields if I had to, but they would also allow me to cross rivers that are not too deep when I need to stay dry, and even pass through muddy areas with ease. It may not seem like a big deal, but the times I have visited places like this, I have always wished I had a pair of rubber boots. I hate wet shoes.

I wouldn't take any furniture with me. My husband has some experience cooking with firewood in nature, so we could easily manage that together. While it wouldn't be my favorite activity in the world, if that's the price I have to pay to live in a simple place, where I'll be full of tranquility and my kittens will be able to run free in a completely natural environment, then I accept it.

On the other hand, something that is extremely important to us is being able to protect ourselves from certain insects. For example, where we live there are many, many mosquitoes, and sometimes this facilitates the transmission of diseases such as dengue or malaria. The way we protect ourselves from this is by using mosquito nets, so yes, I would also put my mosquito net in that bag, so I could sleep peacefully wherever I was because I know that no insects will come in to bite me, and it would even protect me from something bigger than an insect.

And I would also include my phone, because I think being able to stay in touch with my family far away is important to me. Being able to know how they are and how their health is would give me peace of mind when I'm away. Besides, with my phone I can also take care of many other things. The rest is easier. I could put a blanket on the ground to sit or even lie down, and fortunately for me, that wouldn't be the worst torture in the world.

You may think I'm exaggerating, but several years ago I had an experience that completely changed my perspective on what it means to live in a simple place. Several years ago, I spent at least eight days traveling down the Orinoco River, visiting some indigenous communities. There, going to the bathroom only required a shovel, and sleeping only required a hammock and a mosquito net. I always slept outdoors, and I tied my hammock inside the same bongo we were traveling in.

And although the trip was full of communities because we had something as simple as a closed bathroom, it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I learned to cook with firewood, to tie a knot to hang a hammock, and also to use a mosquito net. That taught me a lot, but one of the things it taught me is that you don't need much to be happy. In those moments, I remember being so busy watching sunsets, a sky full of stars, and sharing with people with huge hearts that my anxiety and problems took a back seat.

So this experience opened my eyes and made me realize that even though I now have basic comforts like a bed, an enclosed bathroom with a toilet, and a kitchen with stovetops, the truth is that I don't have better and more valuable things than I would have if I were in a simple place. Like the tranquility of a life that doesn't have to rush to keep up with time, or natural spectacles that undoubtedly fill you with peace and admiration.

For that, I needed nothing more than my eyes, my hands, and a good attitude. Learning that required me to live through that experience with a lot of fear, but I'm glad I did because I know that if in the future I can go to a simple place, I'll be fine with that and I'll be able to appreciate it as much as possible.