By Kim Bercaw
I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for souvenirs. It all began at the tender age of six with thimbles and spoons, and has blossomed into something I can only describe as a controlled obsession.
Once, many years ago, my husband made the mistake of forbidding me to purchase the object of my desire: a handsome bronze doorknocker in a tiny little shop on a nondescript side street in Italy. I never forgot about it. After a full decade of “non-buyers remorse,” I actually forced him to fly back to Italy with me, to the very same spot, to buy the blasted thing. (It took us five days to find the shop and, though we miraculously found the VERY SAME doorknocker design, it had quadrupled in price. Needless to say, my husband doesn’t object to my purchases anymore.)
I know I’m not alone in believing one of the great joys of traveling is bringing home a token or two (or twelve) to help one remember the journey. And whether I’m scouring the shelves of a quaint knick-knack shop in Dublin, or perusing a packed market stall in Marrakech, the thrill of the hunt gives me a rush that would rival bungee jumping off the St. Louis Arch and then receiving a congratulatory smack on the lips from George Clooney.
In recent years, however, it has become trickier and trickier to find souvenirs that are exclusive to a particular locale. I once purchased what I thought was an antique letter opener at a market in Europe, only to find the same item at TJ Maxx a few weeks later. Ouch. Which begs the question, how does a person track down an amazing, authentic travel memento? There are no guarantees, of course, but you can improve your chances of success by following a few simple suggestions:
Do your homework: Surf the web (or email any contact you might have at your destination—even a hotel concierge) before you depart to get the skinny on local shopping markets, festivals and street fairs. Gatherings like these are hotbeds for vendors who sell locally produced goods. For kicks, check out this list of the top 10 European markets.
Ask around: If you see someone decked out in interesting local attire or accessories, ask the person where they bought them. Or if you see another traveler holding an intriguing purchase, don’t be shy– approach and inquire. Most people are thrilled to spread the word about a find.
Barter: Depending on where you travel, you might have something worth trading. Levi’s jeans and American sports team apparel are coveted (and very expensive) in certain parts of the world, and items as simple as pencils and packaged snacks are appreciated other areas. A hand-sculpted ocarina might set you back a mere package of Oreos. Or you might score a locally woven tapestry in exchange for a gently loved Tebow jersey. The possibilities are intriguing, indeed.
Support Local Artisans: I once lucked upon a sale of student art at the port in Dubrovnik. (The unframed canvases were literally laid out on the concrete next to the boats.) I walked away with a one-of-a-kind, budget-friendly painting that brings back great memories every time I look at it.
Think outside the souvenir stand: Some of my most interesting finds have come from neighborhood grocery stores, hardware stores and pharmacies. Another country’s domestically produced packaged goods and beauty products make great, cost-effective take-homes and gifts. (As long as they’re legal to bring back to the U.S., of course.*)
*Which brings me to my next topic: keeping our friends at U.S. Customs from putting us on the naughty list. Every devout souvenir seeker has a responsibility to familiarize him or herself with the laws regarding importing foreign goods. If the U.S. Customs Department homepage isn’t on your list of frequented sites, no worries: I’ll be covering the basics in my next post. If, however, you simply can’t wait, feel free to contact your Travel Beyond consultant.
