Souvenirs -memories or money pit?
Do you buy them for yourself or for others when you travel? These are silly little trinkets to help us remember the joys of our travels or and let those that stayed “local” (aka the ones you left behind) know we thought of them while away. Some of my choice purchases have been- the cushion cover with the embroidered rooster from Portugal (I have no idea where this gem is currently hidden), the necklace-earring set made out of volcanic rock from Santorini (collected dust until I gave it to my mom last week), the evil eye keychain from Corfu, my rugby ball from Ireland, my headband from Australia with the kangaroo pattern…my list can go on and on but I will stop before I start embarrassing myself 🙂 further.
Now the gifted gems- what ends up happening to the spoon with Queen Lizzy’s face on it, the plate with the sunset in Mexico, the hand painted turtle from Punta Cana, the bikini inspector t shirt or the one with the donkey on it …don’t answer this question I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings but I’d guess at the bottom of a drawer, binned or recycled (be green).
In more recent years I am convinced there is one large souvenir factory somewhere on this great planet that makes all of these trinkets because no matter where I have been -city, country, continent- the souvenirs are the same. They no longer show the charm of that great place I’m visiting. I wonder where my friend hung that African mask she bought in Portugal?
The things I have picked up along the way which I have cherished are postcards! I love them. I have tons and I have made and framed huge collages to help me remember my travels and the cool places I have been along the way. They are not expensive, can be quirky, not hard to find and based on what you pick -they represent your personality and individuality. Try it! The collage also makes a great conversation piece. I have one more cherished souvenir that inspired me to write this blog today. This is memorial to my precious socks with the London tube map on them, I can say they use to be white, and colourful and now they are holy. I have been sporting these babies for 3 years even with the hole in the big toe. Today and I reached to put on my favourite socks I made a massive hole in the heel (this is a testament to how warn and thin they have become). I prefer to say they were well loved. So loved they now need to be retired, but I will wear them one last time today with pride along with my travelling shoes so I can say my final good bye. I bought these socks not out of impulse but out of necessity it was a raining cold day in Leicester Square and my toesies were cold. This is where it all began and today it sadly ended.
Do you buy out of impulse or necessity?
About the Author
Lisa I don't travel to escape I travel to self discover. To see different parts of the world to build my personal tool kit. I enjoy the path less travelled to truly learn about the traditions and nuances of my fellow citizens of this great world. Born and raised in Toronto of Trinidadian descent I never forget my roots and as much as I love leaving on that jet plane I always find satisfaction in coming home to my great city to share the tales of my great adventures with my friends and family.
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