April 17, 2023
-Hannah Brencher
I know someone unable to leave the house without her essentials, including make-up, a wallet, a phone, and other accessories. She may find them handy, but there are also some needless items in her bag. I would sometimes ask myself, "Doesn't she feel uncomfortable carrying her huge heavy bag?"
I don't like carrying a large bag that could give me discomfort when traveling. A little sling bag for traveling and a small backpack for trekking are enough for me to fit all my essentials. Up to two bottles of water, some food, and extra clothing can all fit in that tiny green backpack for hiking. It all depends on how we pack our things.
Let's start by doing a simple bag raid. What exactly is in this little green leather sling bag? This bag holds a particular place in my heart because a dear friend gifted it to me for my birthday. The adorable Rubik's cube is a wee one. It's what I used to play when I'm bored.
This bag includes two cards, my octopus and HK ID, a headset for music listening or making international calls to my family, as well as a pack of tissue and hand sanitizer, which are essential when traveling. Of course, utilizing my phone for a long period of time requires my eyeglasses. Without radiation protection, they easily hurt. Chewing gum is completely unneeded. For no reason, I just want to chew something, particularly when traveling.
Two of these items - the two cards - are essential for me to bring, especially when traveling. You cannot simply enter Hong Kong's public places without carrying a valid HK ID. You might occasionally be asked to show your ID by random police officers who are on patrol. If you fail to show one, you might face unfavorable consequences under the law.
The second one which is the Octopus Card is the most useful item in my bag. How? Octopus is an all-in-one card here in Hong Kong and I can even travel without a bag, just Octopus and of course, my ID and phone that I could just put in my jeans pockets.
Octopus can also be registered and we can add our identifications. In this way, we don't need to bring our HK ID and just show our octopus cards when needed.
Moreover, bringing a wallet can sometimes be inconvenient, especially when I only want to bring a small bag. Coins stuffed into it can sometimes make my bag heavy which I don't like. That's how my Octopus card become useful and important. It serves as my tiny wallet.
I can use my Octopus card in shopping, and even marketing or just buying things in small stores like 7/11 and other shops.
I can use my Octopus card in paying for fares in traveling via train, bus, tram, and even taxis that accept Octopus.
I can use my Octopus card in dining at any food shop, cafe, and restaurant, even in bars (of course, I won't go there). Some dining areas that accept Octopus offer discounts to members who registered using Octopus. This is just one of the perks.
And just recently, they announced the new Octopus Voucher Consumption Scheme which started yesterday, 16th of April. According to the scheme, we can simply download the app and register our Octopus number and just tap our phone when paying, instead of the card. It just makes things more convenient for us! We can use it in dining, retail and online shopping, traveling, and anywhere that accepts Octopus. And while using it, we can earn points and spend vouchers that we could collect. These are simply amazing!
Without further ado, I downloaded the app and registered my Octopus number. Thus, I don't need to bring my card anymore once my registration is complete, and simply tap my phone, even without opening the app.
Those are just the perks of using an Octopus card. And in case I forgot my key, this card might come in handy but it takes skills to use it, if you know what I mean, lol. It can be a short ruler too, right?
This is in response to @galenkp Weekend-Engagement Concept 149 with the topic...
The ladies - Most useful item
Photograph the most useful item (besides your phone) in your handbag and tell us why it's there and so useful to you. For this post and you must write at least 300 words and use your own photos.
Happy weekend and thanks for stopping by.
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