Are you a collector? I've always been into collecting travel-related items. There's just something about having these tangible mementos that instantly transport me back to the memories of my trip.
Back in high school, I started with shot glasses. It was a bit ironic since I attended a private school that strictly forbade drinking alcohol. So, it became a bit of a faux pas on mission trips when others would see me dart into the nearest gas station to snag that state's best shot glass. As an espresso lover, I convinced myself that if I ever used them, it would be with an espresso maker.
The shot glass collection took a turn once I started visiting more states. I've been to all 50 now, collecting a shot glass for each one, only to face the dilemma of having nowhere to put them. To add to the challenge, my friends and family caught wind of my collection and started contributing shot glasses from their own trips. Now, I have a surplus of shot glasses sitting in my closet, tucked away in a box.
I've since shifted to a more practical approach to travel collecting. My absolute favorite thing to collect now is mugs. Warm drinks and a mug from Scotland, Santorini, or Australia – the allure is undeniable. Yet, being a light packer poses a challenge. Two and a half weeks in Europe with just one carry-on doesn't leave much room for bringing back a mug from four different countries.
During a trip to England, Wales, Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, I faced the carry-on constraint but found the most irresistible mugs. My love for souvenirs might be a bit excessive, and I ended up buying a separate bag in Amsterdam just to bring them all home. Totally worth it though; I now have some of my absolute favorite mugs because of that adventure.
But my collection doesn't stop at mugs. The latest addition is probably the best – and most space-efficient and practical – of all my collections: tea towels.
I love tea towels!
They're not just decorative; you can take them home and use them to dry your dishes. A practical and fun reminder of your travels, they make for great conversation pieces sitting on your kitchen counter. What's more, they're incredibly space-efficient. You can fit so many more tea towels in your luggage than mugs. Sure, I ended up wrapping my tea towels around my mugs for added protection – more practicality!
They're wonderful, and I have heaps of them. When they eventually get tattered, it's just a subtle reminder that I need to revisit that country and restock.
So, what's your go-to travel collectible?
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