Two weeks until classes begin, and I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m thinking I should go somewhere. But I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have a lot of money, and I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have anyone to travel with.

So I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m thinking about taking a road trip and visiting a few friends along the way. To make it more interesting, I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m considering camping here and there. However, I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have a tent.

Next thing I know I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m looking at tents at REI. But what do I know about tents? So I call my brother, Matt, who just got back from a five-week backpacking and ice climbing adventure in Peru.

I tell him I want a tent for an unplanned road trip. But I want a good tent, one that I can take backpacking, and that sleeps two people, should I ever require it to sleep two people.

He advises I get the lightest tent I can. I recall a five-day hike we took along the Appalachian Trail from Maine to New Hampshire. I packed way too much, and paid dearly in sweat and exhaustion. Matt said at one point he looked back at me, and I looked like death.

?¢‚Ǩ?ìLight is good,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù I agree.

He says I should also check out Campmor. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìOh yeah,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù I say. I get their catalog.

But wait. I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t have money to buy at $200 tent, or gas, or food. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m a graduate student. And I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m borrowing $35,000 for this year alone. And I have $50 in my checking account.

Still, the road is calling, and my mind moves numbers around, rationalizes, creates an acceptable logic. I will find a way to make up the cost, I tell myself.

Two weeks. Can I not afford to travel?