Author: ajgaines

Kindle Paperwhite

Why I have it: Light, portable, and PERFECT for learning languages.

One of my favorite pieces of gear is my kindle. Before getting this guy I would carry around 2-3 books, each book taking up more than twice as much space as the kindle itself.

The other huge positive is they have backlights in the kindle. I use this aaaaaaall the time at hostels and while in airplanes. Then I can read any time of day or night and not bother my fellow hostel goers or airplane riders.

The main reason I decided to ultimately make the plunge is because I was trying to learn Spanish and if you download a dictionary and a foreign book you can instantly get definitions of words by just holding your thumb on the word. I cannot stress how helpful this has been for expanding my vocabulary in both Spanish and Portuguese.

I have owned a Kindle Paperwhite Ver 2 and the newest version from 2022. Some of the benefits of the newer model: USB-C, waterproof, warm light background, and a much quicker page flip. But any model will do! You could get a used Ver 2 on ebay and do tons of great reading on there!

Osprey Ozone – World’s Best Travel Roller Bag

I bought this bag 5 years ago and I have used it to travel to more than 50 countries, have strapped it to the back of motorbikes, the tops of chicken buses and have rolled around with it in my pilot uniform on a daily basis of those 5 years.

Although backpackers will tell you you are supposed to travel with a backpack it is not true! I cannot tell you how many backpackers I meet that wish they had a roller bag like mine. It is so much less energy walking around with the roller bag. I also strap my Osprey Porter to my Osprey Ozone which gives me tons of space(I am however always traveling with all my work stuff and therefore need the additional space).

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Osprey Ozone

Osprey Ozone inside

Positives:

  • Lightweight(4.5 lbs)
  • Indestructible material(after 5 years I’ve only seen minor blemishes in the material)
  • Has roller wheels saving A LOT of energy(I use these nonstop)
  • Fits every carry-on airplane except the EMB-145(nothing fits the EMB-145)
  • Osprey’s guarantee(they will repair the bag or give you a new one if they cannot…for life)
  • Black and professional(for flight crewmembers)

Negatives

  • Low-ish storage(40L – But comes with a strap to add a backpack)
  • Soft case(not the strength of a hard case but it allows it to be lighter and pack down into smaller areas). You really do not need the hard case. I have carried my drone and other expensive electronics for 5 years and nothing has ever been damaged.

Click the following link if you’re interested in buying the Osprey Ozone