2014.12.28December 28, 2014; Cuba Prior to traveling to Cuba, I had to think what and how I was going to pack everything. I didn't know what to expect on the trip. Though we were traveling with a group and often on a bus, there was also a lot of walking and exploring on the itinerary. I wanted to have a backpack that could carry my essentials (water, passport, visa, money) safely, but I also wanted to be able to bring an SLR along. Carrying my entire set of gear seemed unnecessary, not to mention ostentatious for a country where the average citizen earsn $20 a month, so I opted for my 1D mk III, my 16-35mm and a 40mm pancake lens.

2015.01.02January 02, 2015; Cuba

I wrote to my friend at ThinkTankPhoto and asked what they might recommend, if it was small enough set to get away with using one of their new mirrorless bags, but instead they suggested a MindShift Gear Rotation 180º Panorama. What a perfect choice!

2015.01.01January 01, 2015; Cuba The rotating piece is where I stored my camera body, the wide and the pancake lens as well as some extra cash. In the bulk of the backpack I stored my journal, visa, itinerary with important numbers and locations, my passport, sweater, scarf and other items I wouldn't need to access urgently. In the top zipper I kept my more commonly accessed items like money, sunglasses, sunscreen.

2015.01.01January 01, 2015; Cuba Occasionally I also stored a large size water bottle on the side in the hydration sleeve. Though not a fan of plastic water bottles, it was the only drinking water option in Cuba. The bottles said voted #1 in Cuba... without mentioning, as a government owner bottling company, it was the ONLY water bottle company in Cuba!

2014.12.28December 28, 2014; Cuba The bag was perfect for hikes, exploring the street, and of course when I had the opportunity to photograph Industriales practice.

2015.01.02January 02, 2015; Cuba I will definitely be using this pack again both for day trip hikes in which I bring my camera and traveling.

2014.12.30December 30, 2014; Cuba

And it's a nice balancer when trying to take feet tweets ;)

2014.12.28December 28, 2014; Cuba Thanks to Colin Arnold for all the images in this post.