I have a thing for Souvenirs.

I am not one of those travellers who is content with the memories. I like my memory sitting on my bookshelf and even better if it comes with a fascinating tale. This particular scene has played out many a times during the fag end of a holiday where my ride has arrived to ferry me to the airport/station and I am spending the last few minutes flummoxed, trying to zip up my bag whilst ensuring not to rip it apart, frantically looking for some space for that one last item.

Why am I indulgent when it comes to souvenirs? Well, these keepsakes are a way to freeze time, something tangible to remind me of the journey. When I see them lying around the house or when I use an item picked up from a journey, it makes me go back in time, ever so briefly and live the moment. Besides, these travel finds set the tone of my home today, which is quite eclectic. Décor at home is predominantly pieces that I have picked up from my travels and does not conform to a particular style. It’s a bunch of stories put together.

Picture this, a narrow alley in an old district, lined with orange trees, dotted with shops selling locally crafted products, art galleries, vintage stores, cafes brimming with people & conversations, sidewalks with vendors selling paintings, flowers and second hand books. A complete treat for the senses. I walk into this beautiful store selling all kinds of products; from textiles to handmade tiles, gourmet cheese to oils to upcycled crafts, all sourced from local artisans and producers. The lovely lady at the counter strikes up a conversation to help me look for a perfect souvenir to take back home. Somehow we end up talking for a good 30 minutes about her country and mine. The finest wines to try when in Spain and where to grab the best tapas in Seville.  I walked out of the store with some colorful handmade tiles, postcards, a bottle of their finest olive oil, handmade soaps and some orange liqueur along with an invite to a small dinner soiree they were hosting that night at their café. When travelling, if you want to get the best recommendations strike up a conversation with the locals running cafes and galleries. That’s how you will end up eating the best food, buying the best gifts and visiting the most beautiful non-touristy places.

For me there is more to this seemingly simple act of picking up keepsakes than meets the eye. I love exploring bazaars and I actively look out for shops and studios selling local art or products. Besides, serving as an inspiration it gives you a peek into the place’s culture.  I cannot control myself from stepping into vintage stores and my feet subconsciously direct me to flea markets. The design and craft enthusiast in me is happiest on days like these. An evening in Vienna instead of traversing the Schonbrunn gardens, I chose to explore a Christmas flea market. After about two hours, I sat down on a nearby bench with a bag full of tidbits, a big cup of hot chocolate and even bigger smile soaking it all. The people, the craft, the scents and general happiness in the air. Just then an e-mail from the credit card company sucked out the general cheer from around me.

India is a treasure trove when it comes to picking up souvenirs. It is a beautiful coming together of diverse culture, art, colors, architecture and crafts. What makes travelling exciting in India, is that, one may never know what one might discover at the very next turn, most importantly, you don’t have to constantly worry about the damn conversion rate. In Jaipur, a wrong lane led me to some of the most interesting design stores, tucked away from the city’s myriad window displays. In Dharamkot, while looking for a café, I stumbled upon a home run boutique store selling handmade sustainable products by Tibetan refugees. On our way back from the jungle safari, at Ranthambore national park, a beautiful outpost of a social enterprise selling striking products and souvenirs, run by women caught my attention. Over the years I have started being more mindful about my purchases while making sure I am supporting the local community. If you have ever made a purchase directly from a craftsman or the artist, you will agree with me on this - The souvenir will always come with a story and the warmth and gratefulness those smiling eyes reflect is priceless.

Its’ not always these handpicked items, I even collect, ticket stubs, maps, postcards, visiting cards, coasters, wine corks, pinecones, anything that has an ability to tell a story or hold memory. These items may not be of much use but you get them anyways because you do not want the experience to get out of the system. Send me to a jungle or a desert and I will still find something to get back with me. I always wonder whether a bag bought to carry the souvenirs counts as a souvenir!