http://spreadsheets.google.com/feeds/list/o06996531621457208767.1275442097903647886/od6/public/basic/cztg32009-11-03T07:16:52.328Zcountryonyourpassport: USA (America!), firstname: David, yourage: 43, travelascoupleorsingle: Single., whatisthelongesttimeyouhaveevertraveledoutsideyourcountry: 2.5 months, brandnameofbackpack: ?, whatdidyoupayforbaginu.s.dollars: ?, listtheitemsthathavebrokeonyourbag.: Nothing!, whatarethebiggestproblemsyouhadwiththebag: I got lucky. I am picky by nature but have complaints with regards to my bags., whatfeaturesorbenefitsdoyouwantincluded: I love my bag combination. Especially the hatch at the bottom of the larger bag from which I can access my smaller back-pack or slide-out my smaller backpack without having to disturb the other items found residing above in the larger backpack., howoftendidyouusethewaistharness: Depends on how far traveling. >1 mile I will use it., wasyourobbedonthetrip: Was I robbed on the trip? Never. I am gregarious and friendly to everyone but trust no one. Eyes wide open. Even watch as they off-load suit cases from a bus in Colombia or elsewhere if I stow my backpack below at the back of the bus., ifyeswhichcountryexplain: Most people - Costa Rica. Me, Never! Knock on wood. To those not familiar with the expression, we Americans sometimes say "Knock on Wood" if we don't want to be jinxed (receive bad Karma) from our own words. , didyourbagfallintothewaterontrip: What? No., didyoucarryatent: No, didyoucarryasleepingbag: No., didyoucarryacamelbackwaterpouch: No., whatitemsdidyounotneed: Expensive raincoat. A disposable plastic poncho was perfect (light weight, airy, low volume and covered my pack and me)., explainyouropinionsonwaterbottles: Mixed. Depends on where are? In the Andes in way to Machu Piccu (purification tablets and two bottles at most). In city, pay for bottled water. Brushing teeth using tap water - never a problem. , doyoucarryandumbrella: No, wheelsornowheelsbag: No wheels., howmanybagsdidyoucary: 2, doyoucarryarainponcho: Yes! Disposable is light weight, not attractive to a thief. Looks like a plastic bag when wadded up and inserted into an expandable fish net style pouch on the outside of my larger pack., doyoucarrryacomputerexplainhowyoucarry: No., didyoubreakacameraorlose: No way Jose'., averagepriceofroomsyoulivedin: $15, whydoyouloveyourbag: Bottom hatch on larger bag. Drop the smaller bag in first after opening up a zippered divider that separates the upper 3/5 of the bag from the lower 2/5. Then Close the Zipper divider and put in the rest of your items. Access your stuff from the top and from the bottom. A perfect world!, doesapersonneedhikingboots: Depends on where traveling but definitely don't buy cosmetic type such as Gortex-lined Timerlands like I did. Buy functional kind of boot/shoe where have good stability and where foot does not slide forward and jam/smash the toes when walking down hill. Those who have never experienced this pain will not understand this. After an eighteen mile hike in the Peruvian Andes foothills and the excruciating foot/toe pain/suffering. I took off my boots on the bus, set them on the floor next to the isle and could care less if someone stole them. The toe pain was like nothing I had experienced before. I wore my new running shoes to Machu Piccu instead. , explainhowyoumanageguidebooks: Just that - guide books. They form a starting point for hostals and history. Food? Go where the locals go. When see a lot of locals go in and check it out. Cleaner = touristry. Dirtier means more local and potentially less safe., doyouclimbmountains: Yep! Even with a torn minsicus/cartlidge in my knee this last year. Had surgery recently to fix. , didyougetyourbagslashedwithrazor: No., wouldalargedufflebagworkgoodenough: No., doyoulockyourbag: No, explainbagsecurity: Cover closed zippers with flap cover provided. Never stow directly overhead where cannot see. If necessary, stow over opposite isle where can always see. Never fall a sleep on bus. Never leave bus with pack on-board. Take backpack with you or don't get off. If stow below on bus, stand up and watch as they off-load any suitcases or get off and monitor. Place bag in lap or feet on bus and be aware that they can still attack your backpack at your feet. Think like a criminal ans be somewhat paranoid. Keep I.D. and Debit Card on oneself in a hidden travel pouch. Did I say be paranoid? , doyouknowofanyonewhohadthebagstolenexplainwhathappened.: Yes, neither feel asleep. Both were European girls in their 20's and both had stowed their backpack over their heads and neither of these girls had fallen aslepp, whatfeaturedoyoudreamofonabackpack: Theft alarm. Mouse trap that smashes the fingers of a thief.