With technology reshaping how people see their belongings (and ultimately, how they treat them), there is certain dignity still exuded by objects that present many signs of a fulfilled life. For example, in the corner of this room stands this large suitcase which is more than merely a vessel to hold clothing; it is a soft leather-book of sorts, a mute record of its owner's life experiences. Its surface bears multiple signs of wear, including scratches, dents and old transit stickers. Each imperfection has been made by an action taken while on a journey, including the action of lugging it around amidst all the tempo and tension of an airport, or over the rough cobblestones in several old European cities. Each of these marks hold an entire adventure and serve to guide one's memory to the location where they occurred; they are all simply pages from a scrapbook. The tactile experience of feeling the suitcase, it is this texture that illustrates the experiences of many journeys through improper bags - into and through and out of countless baggage couriers around the world.
The Accumulation of Marks and Dents
The longest and least concentrated forms of marking that record the journey of the affected suitcase is found in the tactile language of tactile and visible wear. For example, the long scratch along one edge, tells of how quickly the suitcase was removed from a baggage carousel in Rome, and how quickly it moved up against the side of a nearby steel railing in the excitement of beginning a new Italian adventure. The more concentrated dent next to the locking mechanism will relate back to an experience of having an unexpectedly intense jostle or jerk in a suitcase during a tumultuous trip through the Swiss (or any) Alps due to turbulent weather, and experiencing the emotional agony of that impact by noticing the unfortunate impact of the suitcase on its contents; although being impacted by the jolt has caused only minor or limited scratches and indentations.A "topographical map of travel": marks on a hard travel case that have been created over years of transporting, lifting and settling into places such as: hotel room desks in airport terminals, back seats of cabs, and in the overhead compartments of planes. These are also examples of the life a traveler has led over many trips and travels; when packing provisions or returning from a place; these marks are often made during transit (lifting/moving) and carry memories of where they have been, who they were with, and the challenges of living a mobile lifestyle while traveling.
The colored stickers on the opposite side of this case provide perspective on the towns and cities where this suitcase has traveled. The peeling sticker of an Eiffel Tower is physically reminiscent of many spring mornings standing under it in Paris; the sticker from Sydney depicting a koala evokes memories of being on a Bondi beach during a summer vacation; the Lisboa tram sticker on the other side of the case provides sensory experiences to accompany the time spent in Lisbon and other Portuguese areas.Stickers are a symbol of a conscious remembrance of an event (as a reminder of a special day); from a quirky shop, to a free gift from a friendly host; to a cherished trophy from an event. The stickers' faded condition reflects the amount of time that has passed since the sticker was affixed to the suitcase and the amount of travelling involved in making the trip. When several of the stickers are placed over one another (as depicted on the suitcase, with the Berlin bear peeking out from the corner of a Norwegian fjord), the sequence of trips is captured in a chronological way, similar to how heraldry places multiple coats of arms in a sequential or historical fashion.

The Spiritual Journey of a Travel Suitcase

In addition to mapping the physical journeys made with a suitcase, the suitcase will also demonstrate the emotional and spiritual changes that have taken place as an individual has travelled. For example, during the time of a traveller's first solo travel experience, the suitcase was with the traveller during the nervousness and excited anticipation of this new chapter in life. The travelling suitcase served as a physical representation of a sense of security and stability for the individual while in an unfamiliar environment, and represented the individual's bridge into the international travel community.

Further on, the suitcase also housed the various types of clothing that have been worn (like formal business clothing) when the traveller has attended major events, such as an important business meeting in Tokyo; and has carried comfortable, casual clothing during the

traveller's time of self-discovery while participating in a retreat in the High Himalayas of Nepal. The physical weight of the suitcase also includes the weight of the traveller's aspirations, fears, hopes, and realizations throughout the course of the traveller's journey.

The added physical weight of the suitcase is an indication of the importance of the suitcase to the traveller, and demonstrates that the suitcase is an ancient representation of loyalty to one's travels and the idea of making a commitment to immerse oneself as completely as possible into a travel experience. Scars on a suitcase, like the traveller's own life experiences, are symbolic of the growth that the traveller has achieved through the course of his or her travels—evidence of the hard-earned acquisition of knowledge gained through the traveller's experiences outside of their comfort zones.

In addition, this suitcase is a constant reminder of the traveller's change, and is also a constant source of emotional and practical support for the traveller throughout his or her journey. Therefore, the suitcase is now more than just a piece of luggage; it is a symbol of what it means to live an adventure-filled life. It is a vehicle for expressing how travel has impacted the traveller's life.

This suitcase has become more than a travel accessory, but has become a testament to an individual's character. By the very nature of travelling, the suitcase now carries evidence of all that has shaped the individual's character, while also providing the traveller with tangible proof of the various types of roads that they have travelled and the experiences of the world that they have dared to explore.