Banano

During our final days in chile, we had some time to spend with my family. Uncles, aunts and cousins that I haven't see in over 20 years. It was amazing how quickly the bond forms and it makes me wonder what might have been had my family not immigrated to Canada over 35 years ago.

One thing that might have been is that I'd be wearing a fanny pack. The fanny pack, "banano" as it's called in chile is quite the thing. Men wear it, women wear it. Homeless people wear it (I don't know what they own that they would need a fanny pack for) and business men wear it (they keep cell phones, beepers and business cards inside). Some wear it around their waists - sometime forwards, sometimes to the side. Sometimes it slung over your shoulder (like a continental soldier) as you take a lazy walk through the park. Sometimes, they are voluminous and sometimes they are small enough to fit within the stomach fat rolls, like an additional appendage to your body. They can blend into your clothing if you choose to match colors or they can be an expression of your soul.

I found it quite unnerving as men would dig around their waists for their cell phones or keys. It looked like they would stuff their hands down their pants trying to find those last few coins. Maybe in the Southern Hemisphere where the kangaroos live, having a pouch is the thing to do.

I wonder what it would be like if your boss came to meetings with a fanny pack on? There she could keep her phone, gum, or maybe some Chapstick. Maybe it's a voluminous one where her daily calendar fits inside. Or a very small one that only fits a laser pointer for presentations.

Anyways, I had reserved fanny packs for special occasions, like traveling or people deal illegal substances. Either everyone in chile is traveling or dealing or I need to change my mindset.

PS. Google pics of fanny packs.