Packing It In
Like a lot of things, it started with the kids. But these days, the urban backpack army has no enlistment restrictions, age or otherwise, and the recruits, like the packs they carry, come in all sizes and shapes. For the metropolitan portage, briefcases and handbags are the flagging totes of tradition; backpacks are for the ergonomically correct. Some people select packs for haute fashion rather than high transport, while others remain true to the trail-breaking originals. Whichever, the veterans do know how to turn their backs on people in the elevator without committing battery. But what inquiring minds really want to know is, What's in there anyway?
Crystal, 10, fifth grader Pack: 12 pounds
Binder Homework Two text books Work sheets Folders Assignment book Spiral notebook "Island of the Blu Dolphins," a novel "A Wind in the Door" ("my personal book") Reinforcements Pens Keys $1 A handful of change
John, 28, third-year associate at law firm Pack: 8 pounds
Snoopy birthday card from mother Antonio Carlos Jobim CD Fake Oakley sunglasses missing a lens The missing lens Two Chapsticks Contact lens moisture drops Two Loews Theater mints Two boxes of matches, one from coffee shop called Limbo and one from cigar store, Nat Sherman The New York Times Workout clothes Paul Mitchell leave-in conditioner Purpose Dual Treatment lotion The New York Review of Books "A History of the Jews" paperback Two tokens 86~ in change Rolled-up striped tie Design for birthday card for ex-girlfriend "Void if Detached" stub Saks receipt Loose pumpkin seeds One dirty athletic sock Car voucher
Robert, 74, actor Pack: 4 pounds
Pictures and resumes Aspirin Two pairs of glasses "Lew Hunter's Screenwriting" paperback Pens Sticks of Extra gum Asthma inhaler Ziploc bag containing toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, wash-ups, nail clippers
Raime, 13 eighth grader Pack: 18 pounds ("usually about 25") Empty royal blue insulated lunch bag Two French books Algebra book Latin book Big spiral notebook with Nirvana sticker Accordion folder with "Vegetarians Taste Better" sticker "Night," a memoir by Elie Wiesel Stolen "Disordre" baseball cap Wite-Out dots Calculator Latin flash cards "Sergio and odair Assad Guitars" CD (on loan) "Type to Learn" diskette Bus-pass holder without bus pass Chapstick
Taryn, 18, ballet dancer Pack: 10 pounds
Warm-up clothes Pair of jazz shoes Two pairs of pointe shoes Oxblood Cambridge organizer Aleve pain reliever Cassettes Walkman Earphones Sunglasses Lipstick Cinnamon dental floss and needle) ("for sewing my pointe shoes") Plenty-pack of Extra peppermint gum One crystal ("my birthstone")
Abigail, 21, sales associate Pack: 6 pounds
Empty Tupperware sandwich holder Pint-size bottle of Evian Folder Cosmolitan magazine House keys Car keys Lotion Pens Saline solution Three packs of gum One pack of Marlboro Lights Napkins blue lighter Lord & Taylor ID pin
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1995: BAGGAGE CLAIMS