What do you bring back from your European trips?
Apr 23rd, 2016, 07:42 AM
#1
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What do you bring back from your European trips?
This topic was prompted by a question about what to bring back from Spain.
For me, the short answer is nothing! It's already a chore to haul around a carry-on size suitcase and my shoulder bag without adding a bottle of apple wine to lug for three weeks.
Occasionally I regret the fact that I was born without the shopping gene--such as that time in Prague when I wasn't patient enough to wait for three minutes to buy the compact with the Mucha design on the lid. Or the time in Pompeii where I didn't buy the "Cave Canem" mosaic tile. Those times are rare, though.
When I lived in Japan and Germany I bought stuff to send to family, but when I was away from the foreign ambiance, I asked myself what I was thinking. The stuff never seemed to be stuff that anyone would use. A set of heavy German pottery beer mugs? A Japanese tea set? A huge leather hassock that had to be stuffed--with what? Newspaper maybe.
Nowadays if it weighs less than an ounce, I might be tempted, but otherwise...it's no go.
For me, the short answer is nothing! It's already a chore to haul around a carry-on size suitcase and my shoulder bag without adding a bottle of apple wine to lug for three weeks.
Occasionally I regret the fact that I was born without the shopping gene--such as that time in Prague when I wasn't patient enough to wait for three minutes to buy the compact with the Mucha design on the lid. Or the time in Pompeii where I didn't buy the "Cave Canem" mosaic tile. Those times are rare, though.
When I lived in Japan and Germany I bought stuff to send to family, but when I was away from the foreign ambiance, I asked myself what I was thinking. The stuff never seemed to be stuff that anyone would use. A set of heavy German pottery beer mugs? A Japanese tea set? A huge leather hassock that had to be stuffed--with what? Newspaper maybe.
Nowadays if it weighs less than an ounce, I might be tempted, but otherwise...it's no go.
Apr 23rd, 2016, 08:03 AM
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I am the opposite.
I must admit, I live in a large house. It even seemed to become larger after the children have left.
And we have lots of shelves. Not only in the living room, also in my study, our library (yes, we have one in a former kid's bedroom) and a couple of other rooms.
And these shelves are full of souvenirs that we have collected from all over the world. We love looking at them when we are sitting on the sofa. Occasionally, I would go to a shelf, take on piece, weigh it in my hand and recollect the story when I bought it, or found it.
When children come and visit us (other children), they always stand in front of these shelves with eyes wide open and are fascinated. Over the years, our house has become a museum.
I must admit, I live in a large house. It even seemed to become larger after the children have left.
And we have lots of shelves. Not only in the living room, also in my study, our library (yes, we have one in a former kid's bedroom) and a couple of other rooms.
And these shelves are full of souvenirs that we have collected from all over the world. We love looking at them when we are sitting on the sofa. Occasionally, I would go to a shelf, take on piece, weigh it in my hand and recollect the story when I bought it, or found it.
When children come and visit us (other children), they always stand in front of these shelves with eyes wide open and are fascinated. Over the years, our house has become a museum.
Apr 23rd, 2016, 08:13 AM
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Everything! Or at least that is how it seemed this last trip when I had to buy an extra suitcase at La Rinascente.
Wine
Cheese
Olive oil
Prosciutto and Finocchio sausage..which the bastards at Canada Customs confiscated
Shoes
Jewellery
Leather jacket
A dress
A sweater
etc etc etc my best Italian shopping trip yet.
The only thing better would have been your answer StCirq. We are still looking.
Wine
Cheese
Olive oil
Prosciutto and Finocchio sausage..which the bastards at Canada Customs confiscated
Shoes
Jewellery
Leather jacket
A dress
A sweater
etc etc etc my best Italian shopping trip yet.
The only thing better would have been your answer StCirq. We are still looking.
Apr 23rd, 2016, 08:33 AM
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Less than an ounce? Try miniatures. I have a printer's tray full of tiny objects from around the world: Eiffel Tower, brass llama from Peru, tiny leather box from Florence, etc. All my souvenirs are in one place that can be easily transported to my next place (probably assisted living and therefore small) and they don't clutter up the house. Part of the fun is trying to find the very smallest of an item.
Apr 23rd, 2016, 08:34 AM
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I just had one of those big cardiological check-ups. My cardiologist was very satisfied and said he wanted to see me for the next check-up in 2021..
However, he indicated that he will not find anything wrong in 2021. Why? Because I regularly consume native olive oil, pressed from Kalamata olives.
Why does he know that I eat Kalamata olive oil?
Because I eat the oil that is pressed from the olive trees in the garden of his vacation home in Koroni, Greece.
So, that's a souvenir that saves your life!
(My next post will be about French wine and foie gras.)
However, he indicated that he will not find anything wrong in 2021. Why? Because I regularly consume native olive oil, pressed from Kalamata olives.
Why does he know that I eat Kalamata olive oil?
Because I eat the oil that is pressed from the olive trees in the garden of his vacation home in Koroni, Greece.
So, that's a souvenir that saves your life!
(My next post will be about French wine and foie gras.)
Apr 23rd, 2016, 08:42 AM
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Photographs (my walls are covered with photos I've enlarged and had printed, and my screen saver on the computer is a collection of my 'favorite thousand or so' images from my travels which I love to watch randomly go by remembering where they are from).
And like traveller1959 my house is full of things I've brought back (mostly ceramics, but other stuff too) and I love to have these visual memories surrounding me.
I also like to buy jewelry (not expensive stuff, most pieces under €100m many more like $20) - but small and easy to carry and great reminders of where I've been.
Totally wish I could be like StCirq and buy real estate!
And like traveller1959 my house is full of things I've brought back (mostly ceramics, but other stuff too) and I love to have these visual memories surrounding me.
I also like to buy jewelry (not expensive stuff, most pieces under €100m many more like $20) - but small and easy to carry and great reminders of where I've been.
Totally wish I could be like StCirq and buy real estate!
Apr 23rd, 2016, 09:15 AM
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My shopping gene seems to be emerging. Recently from Paris, a designer dress for a sweet baby girl, a Lancel bag and wallet for her grammy and finally I bought un tapis from the carpet seller across the street. It is under my dining table. From India... Nothing.
Apr 23rd, 2016, 09:32 AM
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I bring back less underwear because I take the oldest and threw them away while traveling.
____________________
We are not tchotchke people. Like many here we have made many trips to Europe, but you would not know it if you visited the apartment.
One time when returning from Spain, a cousin made fiolloas for us. They are like crepes and are made on a slanted stone heated from underneath by burning wood. She pours the batter from the top and by the time it gets to the bottom, they are done. Not very delicate but delicious.
Upon arriving at JFK, and while I was getting our luggage, my wife was standing on the side and the drug sniffing dog sat down next to her. Of course she petted him, but then the agent asked to see what was in the bag and she showed them the redolent filloas.
____________________
We are not tchotchke people. Like many here we have made many trips to Europe, but you would not know it if you visited the apartment.
One time when returning from Spain, a cousin made fiolloas for us. They are like crepes and are made on a slanted stone heated from underneath by burning wood. She pours the batter from the top and by the time it gets to the bottom, they are done. Not very delicate but delicious.
Upon arriving at JFK, and while I was getting our luggage, my wife was standing on the side and the drug sniffing dog sat down next to her. Of course she petted him, but then the agent asked to see what was in the bag and she showed them the redolent filloas.
Apr 23rd, 2016, 09:37 AM
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We too often bring back a couple of unique Christmas tree ornaments. We also often bring back some art work or some craft items from local people. Most european countries have organizations promoting local artists and craftspeople and at least one and sometime mor eoutlets for these people.
We have brought back:
seriagraphs
Lithographs
water colors
carved wooden boxes
handmade silver jewelry
small items of pottery
So there are many reminders of all of our trips on the walls/cabinets/chests.
Very rarely buy any clothing or similar and no way are we dragging bottles of liquids - just too much trouble and potential for spillage.
We have brought back:
seriagraphs
Lithographs
water colors
carved wooden boxes
handmade silver jewelry
small items of pottery
So there are many reminders of all of our trips on the walls/cabinets/chests.
Very rarely buy any clothing or similar and no way are we dragging bottles of liquids - just too much trouble and potential for spillage.
Apr 23rd, 2016, 09:50 AM
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I rarely bring back much for myself, but usually do bring back small items for gifts for family and friends.
Just got back from the Netherlands and Belgium. Brought back small boxes of chocolates, stroopwaffels in painted tins (purchased inexpensively at the grocery store), and from HEMA in Holland, picked up some of the iconic "frugal Dutch bottle scrapers" for a couple euros apiece.
When I was in Spain I brought back small containers of saffron threads. In Budapest, paprika. From Czech Republic and Vienna - the free beer coasters. (I can buy the imported beer here when I get home).
Nothing to weigh me down or take up space in my bags, that's for sure. Can't imagine even considering wine or any other heavy liquids.
Just got back from the Netherlands and Belgium. Brought back small boxes of chocolates, stroopwaffels in painted tins (purchased inexpensively at the grocery store), and from HEMA in Holland, picked up some of the iconic "frugal Dutch bottle scrapers" for a couple euros apiece.
When I was in Spain I brought back small containers of saffron threads. In Budapest, paprika. From Czech Republic and Vienna - the free beer coasters. (I can buy the imported beer here when I get home).
Nothing to weigh me down or take up space in my bags, that's for sure. Can't imagine even considering wine or any other heavy liquids.
