Favorite Travel “Souvenirs”: Collecting Memories from Abroad

Last week a discussion was sparked about the various souvenirs people chose to collect while traveling.  “Souvenirs” serve as tangible stand-ins for the places we have visited, evoking memories and emotions of our time spent abroad years after the trip has ended.  We hang them on our walls, display them on shelves, and even adorn our bodies with them.  Whether a key-chain picked up for next to nothing at a tourist shop in the airport or a priceless piece of cultural heritage, these objects are visual reminders of a time when we visited a place we didn’t want to forget.  With this in mind, I asked several of my favorite travel tweeters and bloggers to share their favorite “souvenir” from their many travels. 

Glass Rhino from South Africa, collected by @velvetescape

This Ngwenya glass rhino is one of my favourite souvenirs. I bought it in a tiny shop at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, SouthAfrica. It’s made by a co-operative of glass makers in Swaziland who work with recycled Coca Cola bottles. The Ngwenyaglass project, founded by a Swedish non-profit organization, creates employment opportunities and alleviates poverty while teaching the age-old craft of glass-blowing to and instilling a sense of environmental awareness in Swazis.  The green tint of the Coca Cola glass bottles is easily recognisable. The rhino stands proudly with its head facing the entrance of my home – I placed it this way when a feng shuimaster told me that a rhino figurine in this position works as a protective charm.  — Keith (see Keith’s blog, Velvet Escapes, or follow him at @velvetescape)

Trophy from Tour d'Afrique (South Africa); collected by @theplanetd

One of our most meaningful souvenirs of late would have to be my trophy from the Tour d’Afrique. We saw early on that I had a great chance of becoming Women’s Champion of this 12,000km cycling race from Cairo to Cape Town. Dave was guaranteed a top 5 finish and won the title of EFI (every fabulous inch) so he put in all of his efforts to helping me win. We worked as a team for four months. It is as much Dave’s trophy (if not more) as it is mine and we proudly display it front and center in our living room.  — Dave and Deb (See their blog, The Planet D, or follow them at @theplanetd)

Tin Tower from Paris, France; collected by @parisiensalon

There’s a delightful little shop on avenue Bosquet in Paris’ 7th arrondissement called Florent Monestier, and each time I’m in Paris, I pay a visit. When you walk in the door and turn right, there are shelves and shelves of these collectible tin toys. None are made in France, but there is something so Parisien about them, at least to me. I’ve collected quite a few of them, and each time I look at them, I think of my love for the rue Cler neighborhood and my many visits there.  — Linda (See Linda’s blog, Parisien Salon, or follow her at @parisiensalon)

Cherub Sconce from Tuscany, Italy; collected by @wanderlustwomen

 After two weeks traveling through Tuscany  my suitcase was just about full; however, we stopped in lovely Pienza one night, which is known for alabaster gifts.  I was about to walk out of the shop when I turned to exit and noticed this cherubic sconce on the wall.  I just had to have it.  The shop owner and my friend laughed because they knew by the expression on my face.  She bubble-wrapped it well, and I carried it on the plane.  That was pre-911; I don’t know if I would get away with it now.  — Lisa (See Lisa’s blog, Travel Dreams and Moonbeams, or follow her at @wanderlustwomen)

Mask from Venice, Italy; collected by @KirbyRenee

This is an authentic Venetian mask from Venice, Italy. I went there two years ago and thought this to be a must-have souvenir because they are famous in Venice, and you see them everywhere!  Though it is not hard to find a place selling these masks, the innumerable selections make it difficult to decide on just one.  — Kirby (Follow Kirby at @KirbyRenee)

Watercolor of Colleseum from Rome, Italy, collected by @KirbyRenee

 I bought this watercolor of the Colosseum done by a local artist in Rome.  Artists set up their stands throughout the city, and you can find prints at very reasonable costs.  This is a great, inexpensive souvenir that can be a meaningful piece of art in your home.  I have a wall that serves as an on-going collection of all my favorite pieces.  — Kirby (Follow Kirby at @KirbyRenee)

Moroccan Rug collected by @solotraveler

 Traveling solo I tend to travel light and rarely collect souvenirs along the way.  But special things can be shipped. In 2002, I bought two rugs in Morocco.  This one sits in front of my fireplace.  — Janice (See her blog, Solo Traveler, or follow her at @solotraveler)

Ink Drawing of Ganesh from Chennai, India; collected by @journeywoman

I’ve been travelling solo for 27 years. In that time I’ve visited 60 countries and, as you can imagine, countless gift shops. It makes sense then that I tired of souvenir shops a long time ago. Instead I seek out artists who create art for tourists in markets around the world. The majority of pieces in my collection are under $20 and are wonderful reminders of the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. One of my favorite souvenirs is from an artisans’ village outside of Chennai, India. A gentleman designing batik pillow cases caught my eye and I stopped to watch him creating likenesses of the God Ganesh, one of the best-known deities in India. I loved his interpretations and asked him if he would create an ink drawing for me. I gave him a piece of imperfect, slightly crumpled computer paper that, by chance, I had in my backpack. Two hours later I returned to pick up my art and asked the artist to name his price. His bill amounted to seventy-five cents in my Canadian currency. His beautifully detailed drawing complete with a whimsical mouse in the bottom left-hand corner now hangs framed in my kitchen reminding me of a lovely man in an unforgettable country.  — Evelyn (See Evelyn’s website, Journeywoman.com, or follow her at @journeywoman)

Turquoise ring from Xpuha, Mexico, collected by @ashleyindallas (Me)

 One of my favorite things to collect during my travels is jewelry.  I like the idea of something made by a local artisan that is unique to the specific culture.  Also, something portable that can adorn the body serves as a great conversation piece I can carry with me while at home in Texas or during my travels.  This piece I purchased at a small arts and crafts exposition held at our resort in Xpuha (about an hour outside of Cancun). — Ashley (Follow me at @ashleyindallas)

Watercolor prints from Paris, France; collected by @ashleyindallas

 Asking everyone last week about their favorite things to collect as souvenirs, I was overwhelmed by the number of people who responded with local art works.  Collecting local artwork is something I have been trying to start doing during my travels, and some locales lend to this better than others.  Here are four watercolor prints I purchased from an artist in Paris.  I had a difficult time finding pieces I liked in Paris; they all seemed either too kitsch or way out of my price point.  I found these prints from an artist set up inside the courtyard of the Place des Vosges.  His originals were very expensive, but the prints were extremely reasonable.  Having the chance to chat with the artist about painting, Paris, and even my Texas governor make these some of my most memorable souvenirs. — Ashley (Follow me at @ashleyindallas)

Do you have a memorable souvenir or favorite thing to collect while travelling?  Please share in the comments section!

 

*Also, see Keith’s post, “The Ubiquitous Fridge Magnet”, on the Velvet Escape blog of  magnets he has collected from around the world!