What’s in my backpack?
As the days in Spain get longer & my time here gets shorter, I am always brainstorming things I wish I knew before coming here. What are things you need to pack that are absolutely necessary? What things make life easier?
My backpack. ✨✨✨✨
I want to dedicate this post to the girl who introduced me to the Spanish language & taught me how handy dandy a backpack can be, Dora the Explorer.
Here are some things I ALWAYS keep with me in my backpack.
My water bottle & some snacks
There’s very little places I go without my water bottle. I don’t care how American I look, I enjoy having it with me. I probably drink 3-4 water bottles worth just while at school. With temperatures getting to over 90 degrees now, i definitely will be drinking even more.
Almost everyday without fail, I pack a turkey & cheese sandwich, cut up red peppers, & some homemade trail mix. Since the kids at school don’t eat lunch at school, the teacher also don’t have a time for eating lunch. I usually eat this on the way home from school on the bus. Trust me, it makes the bus ride go by so much faster.
Portable charger
Some days I leave the house & have no idea the next time I’ll have access to a wall outlet. I finally pulled the plug on buying a portable charger after the country wide apagón last month. I never leave the house without it now.
My kindle
There’s this meme that says “I better bring my book just in case I want to spend all day carrying my book.” Basically sums it up. But fr, I do read so much! Especially on my bus rides! I love physical books, but it’s jut not practical right now for me to buy them or have them, so kindle it is.
Tissues
So many public places, especially bars & touristy places, in Spain do not have toilet paper or paper towels. If you prefer not to drip dry or wash your hands & have them be wet, put a mini pack of tissues in every bag you own. I bought a pack of 50 tissues packs at Lidl for 5 euros. I promise it’s so worth it.
Pink junk pouch
This might be my holy grail. It holds all my little things in one place so they aren’t everywhere. The things I put in here are my snacks, tissues, portable charger, hand sanitizer, lip balm, medicine, hair ties, + gum.
Reusable compact-able bag
This is so good to always have on you. It takes up such minimal space & is so useful. I use mine if I want to stop at the grocery store on the way home or if I have errands to run directly after school. I use a reusable decathlon bag that fits so much.
Mini pink blanket
This might sound a little insane but I commute 2 1/2 hours, one way, everyday. There is lots of time for sleeping & I take advantage of it whenever I can. Plus, it is small & super light weight. People on my bus literally refer to me now as the girl with the pink blanket.
Honorable mentions
AirPods, a pen, gum, hand sanitizer, wallet, to go coffee
Con amor, Mary
