REI is fucking awesome

So, I went to REI in Concord last night to try to get a new daypack and get a new sternum strap for my big backpack... my Aries 55, which has been my companion for both Europe and S. America so far. After about half an hour or so of wandering around touching this and that, I came to the realization that #1- sternum straps aren't sold separately, and #2- nothing like my old daypack had been made since. I was starting to feel disappointed

But lo!

Tony, the supervisor dude for the floor, came over and asked me if he could help out. With his assistance, I not only found a killer daypack which will easily fit inside my bigger bag, but he helped me return my dirty 55 liter and get a more modest 50 liter (5 liters, it makes a difference, I'm tellin ya!). I also got 2 different types of mosquito repellent, a mosquito net, and my daypack for only 40 bucks, after getting my full refund from my old pack. Huzzah!

I'm so psyched about my new gear-, I can't help but run upstairs to zip and unzip, fold and unfold, and buckle and unbuckle it all up every few minutes.