“You don’t have to deny yourself to find yourself’, my friend L said.

We’d got to this earth-shattering point after some time at a table of nourishments provided by the local, the Duck Hotel.

Outside the night was cool, the rain giving a background dusting off to the night air – you know, one of those Sydney nights when you can live forever. (Got to love this city.)

Inside all was hubbub, laughter and pleasure in good food, play and such.

The point being debated was this; does one, bound for far off places, do this:  choose a couple of books that are ‘must reads’? or, buy a Kindle and cheat and take a thousand or so books in a wafer-thin thing? or, just fill one’s backpack with books to pass on to the local kids and a school you happen on?

And is such a decision determined by, say, a Methodist upbringing – ie doing without – or a sense of adventure and generosity towards those in the place you’re bound for: or, say, by a mix of the above and more?

Who knows?

Whatever the answer, one should travel lightly, right?

M