It’s my last day in South Africa. I’ve been here nearly a month. I will leave straight from the office, so I’ve brought my one (somewhat large) duffel bag to the office. The three female employees of the office look around.

“Where is the rest of your luggage?”

I shrug. “That’s all I brought.”

High voices fill the office. “What? You’ve been here a month and that’s all you brought? Girl. Seriously. You travel so light.”

Later in the day, my ride to the airport arrives. Our IT consultant, a man, insists on taking my bag to the car. As he lifts it, he exclaims, “Did you leave anything at home? I can’t believe you brought so much…”