When I visit a new country, one of my favorite types of shopping is buying, some piece of clothing with the name , map , or some icon of the place , printed on it. I have no intention of wearing the piece, just keep it as a memento.
From Moscow, (visited in 2015), I've got three cotton shirts . Two of them (one black, one blue) have the map of the Metro in the middle, under the russian name of the city 'Mockba' ( I was very impressed with the city's Metro system).
The front of the third shirt, a white one, has the CCCP letters which stand for USSR - an abbreviation of Soviet Union Socialist Republics. In addition , under CCCP, it has the symbol of hammer & sickle representing proletarian solidarity between agricultural and industrial workers (adopted at the russian Revolution at te end of world War 2.
The back of the shirt is covered with the hymn of the Soviet Union in russian language.
In October 2016, I visited the greek island of Crete .I bought a white cotton cap and a black fine cotton shirt with the name Crete on both items. The little white cap has , in addition, a tiny, delicate map of the island. Now, autumn 2023, I wear that for the first time and feel good with the outfit.
One of the advantages of age is that you don't care about what people might think or say. So, there's a name or map there. Big deal.
By the way, I liked everything about Crete, so much so, that I even considered getting myself a small living unit and try life there for a year or two. Even now I'm inclined to do that; however, islands , in these days of climate change, are a scary option.
Oh yes. Though my mementos are rarely clothing.
ReplyDeleteMost of my mementos are not clothing either, but tiny souvenirs like babushka dolls or the amber brooch I bought on the market.
DeleteI was attracted by the present (Metro system) and the past ( CCCR, hammer &sickle symbol) printed on the above shirts.
You do have some cool shirts from your travels. Here in the state what is missing on travels are postcards. Maybe you can find them all on Amazon now..for all I know. But yes, I am like you. I do like having a tee as a memento, too. I guess the last one I got was visiting the Black Hills which aren't all that far from here. Yet it felt like it on a long roadtrip. Here's hoping you can travel to some place new and peaceful. OH BTW ..love those crocks too! Great to read your post!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Wish I was a traveler like you. I feel out of practice traveling since the pandemic. Even a road trip is alot more expensive than it used to be. All the best to your adventures ahead.
DeleteI could gladly give up the "adventures ahead". We are in war times, and things don't look so good.
DeleteAllt the best to you too.
A fascinating way to remember beloved trips, Duta. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI also think so. Blessings to you too, Martha!
DeleteGreat memories, yes :)
ReplyDeleteI was in New Brunswick Canada one summer, having a super time, but found I was cold. There was a beautiful white windcheater with New Brunswick symbols on the front that I wore out of necessity back then. But it has since become my favourite souvenir from that trip.
Lovely story! I can well imagine the scene in Canada's New Brunswick, and the windcheater souvenir.
DeleteI visited Crete once, so many tourists in the summer but i I remember the beautiful beautiful waters of the Aegean sea -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYes, Christine. Crete has wonderful waters and is both beautiful and interesting. Definitely worth a visit.
DeleteI know exactly what you mean about islands in this day and age! I think about it often! Take care, Duta.
ReplyDeleteIslands are surrounded by water , and so look more vulnerable to climate change.
DeleteHowever,so far, all places ,both mainland and island seem to equally share Nature's fury.
Those are fun mementos of your trips. I really like the cap!
ReplyDeleteMe and the little white cotton cap, was 'love at first sight', as they say. I agree with your view, Mari, that these mementos are fun.
DeleteNot sure if anywhere will be safe soon. I am so worried for this world. Nice mementos of your trips and yes older folks dont care what they wear including myself. Janice
ReplyDeleteRight, Janice. The entire world has become unsafe. I'm afraid it's heading towards use of nuclear weapons.
DeleteOlder folks care for comfort and functionality, less for elegance and modernism.
They serve as a reminder of a gorgeous place and wonderful experiences and help us to remember the places we’ve been, the things we’ve done, and the people we’ve met.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Angie. You've summed it up beautifully. Thank you.
DeleteIt is often good to have something you bought to remember where you visited with a name of it.
ReplyDeleteSounds as if you would like to be on the move to live elsewhere, have fun deciding.
Well, Margaret, at my age I'm not the ideal candidate for new beginnings. However, it's good to dream about moving to a quieter and safer place.
DeleteA graphic printed item of clothing is a fun souvenir to buy, and one that is useful. I purchase very little - often a local food or drink to try. I don't need to clutter up my home anymore. And I take lots of photos and sometimes print a few to hang on the wall.
ReplyDeleteLike you, Lorrie, I'm for 'sampling' local food and beverage too. I find that a real culinary adventure.
DeleteDe-cluttering has become a key word in the life of those approaching, or already there in what we call 'the third age stage'.
I 💙 the nostalgia. You are very fortunate to travel so much, Duta.
ReplyDeleteOh, not much at all Sandi. We are kind of isolated here; we can travel abroad mainly by air. I prefer land travel (trains), certainly during the last years with me being older and the overall situation -precarious.
DeleteI used to buy T-Shirts or Sweatshirts like that, but I don't anymore. My kind of souvenir -beside the photos I take - is sand or soil. I put it in a little container and later label it where it is from. I also collect shells and rocks or even small pieces of (drift)wood.
ReplyDeleteI also like to collect small Nature's items, such as shells and rocks. I'm particularly fascinated by semi-preciousl little stones.
DeleteI think it's a good idea to focus on one item so you don't come home with some things you have no idea why, in the moment, you decided to buy. The latter has happened to me more than once.
ReplyDeleteHi, Inger. In principle you are right, of course, but it depends on the situation and the items bought. The items were on sale at the market, at a good price and they were of different colors, good cotton quality, so I got...greedy.
DeleteHello! I also try to get something or other from all the places I visit.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kandy. Getting some souvenirs from visited places , is natural behavior of most visitors. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteNice to see you posting Duta. Everywhere feels like a scary opiion these days. it seems,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear from you. That's ,sadly, correct - every place these days, seems like a bad option.
DeleteI love to bring home some kind of consistent souvenir from travels. The t-shirt or clothing is a good idea (I'd even wear them!). Interesting about Crete. I've never been to that part of the world. These days I wonder if it's safer than Israel. YOU stay safe. I worry about you and am glad to see you post.
ReplyDeleteI worry about myself too. The other day, the missile alarm caught me on the street on my way to the bus. I did what I was supposed to do, that is lay down with hands covering my head. I managed to lay down, but I couldn't get up without the help of two people laying down not far from me.
DeleteI'm not a heavy person, but age speaks.
Thanks Jeanie for your kind comment.
Boa tarde de quinta-feira minha querida amiga Duta. Infelizmente nunca saí do Brasil.
ReplyDeleteWell, Luiz, it's never too late to visit some other country. I'm sure Brasil is big enough, beautiful , diverse, and able to satisfy its people, so that they're not too curious about other places.
DeleteThinking of you, DUTA, and so happy to see that you're well. Be safe, friend.
ReplyDeleteI highly appreciate, dear Bica, your thoughts about me and my safety. Hopefully, better days will follow.
DeleteHugs and blessings to you.
O that is nice, I love the one with the c's
ReplyDeleteYou mean the white one. It's fine cotton, and both sides are interesting and attractive.
DeleteBoa tarde de sábado, com muita paz e saúde minha querida amiga Duta. Muita saúde para você e sua família.
ReplyDeleteThanks Luiz for your good wishes.
DeleteAo viajar cada um cumpre os seus hábitos no que toca a recordações dos sítios por onde passa e visita.
ReplyDeleteA sua partilha reflete isso mesmo.
Espero que possa continuar a usufruir dessa maravilhosa atividade que é viajar.
Abraço amigo.
Juvenal Nunes
That's correct. May our only worry in life be traveling and mementos!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your friendly comment.
Tea towels with maps of the country you visit can also be a nice memento.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan