As I stare at my colorful magnets neatly organized on the black back of my fridge, each one starts a conversation with me.
However Cliché a souvenir it may be, Fridge magnets are my early morning first glimpse to the world outside, to the destinations taken and trodden.
What was just a fetish and boasting of travel destinations, today are memoirs and make my valued possessions.
As I revisit the places going through many souvenirs collected from all over, adorning my home in varied forms, colors, textures, shapes speaking about the wonderful times. Art pieces, jewelry, home decor, and the list is on but the magnets steal the show.
How I choose my souvenir and why
For me, travel is all about knowing and supporting the local Community finding unique local things and listening to the stories and tales which make my memories. To help the local economy as many destinations survive on tourism. When picking up for others there age and personality matter. Visiting the art and local markets, and Bazars take me closer to knowing the local culture and people. I always spare time and if you are a connoisseur, you do find the right one, and when you do, your heart tugs at it.
“My Home is My World today” when I am in mid of the pandemic and while reminiscing through my souvenirs thought of sharing a few with you all.
Unique Art from places around
Kashmir: This one I remember inquiring about at many Places on my trip, but apart from the regular Kashmiri stuff I had no luck. These Kashmiri woolen Carpet weaved on a blanket embroidered with wool in bold colors depicting the local patterns, today a dying art was hard to find, but a seller of Kashmiri stuff taking us through some lanes and by-lanes to reach this weaver family was a delight. Though very bulky I carried it happily and it adorns my leaving room today.
BHUJ GUJRAT: Kutch Zola Already mentioned in one of my blogs, this beautiful bag is my treasure trove of memories, found hanging on a shelf while searching for tie and die artifacts in BHUJ. The beautiful intricate embroidery and patchwork make it a very niche piece. The Zola became my travel partner throughout as I covered the length and breadth of Kutch.
Jewelry
Being my weak point, with the magnets I started collecting Jewelry pieces. The jewelry is a walking-talking trendsetter of the place speaks for itself the uniqueness of this extravagant collection from all around the world consumes a lot of my heart and wardrobe space. Spending time in the Bazars and souks is heart soothing and soul-satisfying.
JADE Earrings
I love my jade and silver earrings picked up from Thimpu. The lady in her traditional attire wearing her stone and silver Jewelry looked graceful and elegant. She was a newlywed bride and was to wear this as customary for few times. She was so enthusiastic about sharing info on her each Jewelry piece and the ones on display. Her face vibrant and she gleefully blabbering in her dialect, the jade earing picked stay close to my heart and so does the bride.
ROSEWOOD MALA
Another treasured souvenir is an intricately designed neckpiece cut and made in shades of brown mahogany takes me to Thekkady and the Periyar tiger reserves, rich with flora and fauna offer the most majestic trails and sails through and alongside the Periyar river. The evening time stroll takes me to this Kerala Art emporium amazed to see artifacts carved from every part of the coconut time and again I am drawn to this neckpiece as if saying “hey woman how can you not have Me”.
GOND ART
The Gond art museum was a must-visit on my trip to Kanha Madhya Pradesh, on my way I saw their living spaces and was intrigued by the drawings on them and hence was super excited when in the museum saw many canvases depicting them through art, culture, music. The tribe is local to this part of the state and lives in minimalist belongings but is very creative and the CURIO shop found these beautiful hand-woven necklaces in neon green and yellow. It is my way to the jungles and a conversation beginner whenever I see and adorn it.
Apparel
Vacation keeps you afloat in a positive vibe. On this chilly day, we had traveled back from Pan gong Tso all my senses behind in its beauty. The freshness of the lake and azure diamond lake kept our energy level high. We hit the market to find some souvenirs, it is late evening but the streets are abuzz, and I see this old woman with her spread of hand-woven gloves and caps. Still knitting sitting there waiting for a buyer, Sheer joy reflected on our faces to find each other, she to find her many pieces sold and I for finding a treasure made from Yak wool.
Yeola The weaver HUB
On a road trip in Dec 2020 to yeola, home to Paithani weavers in Maharashtra, with caution and with appointment only we visit the weavers and the experience is inspirational. I understood the worth of a fabric seeing the labor of conceiving and delivering. The spindles of multiple silk fabrics lying on the shelf making a beautiful sight and few on the loom creating intricate patterns and designs. We drooled over exquisite six-yard creations, and I have treasured heritage Dupatta hanging with pride, love, and fond memories.
Food and Liquor
The colorful striped pattern bottle starts a conversation every time I look at the shelf adorning them. The girl gang was on a hunt for some local drink and the shop we were offered these fruit-flavored vodkas, and they were just out of the world, the local flavor still tingles on my tongue.
The Big apples
An offbeat but real-time experience in Bhutan, the roadside fruit stall amidst nowhere while going up the Chalele pass attracted us with its display of local produce of apples and cheese and much more and the gals’ dresses in the local attire. The apples we found there were huge raw and Juicy, they weighed a lot but I carried them throughout till I reached back and then relishing them with the family.
POSTCARDS
These I carry a few of my country along when I travel, to gift to people I meet hoping that they might create a memory for themselves of my country and me. I do have a very valued Postcard sent by my daughter with a very beautiful meaningful and loving message from Australia. THIS SOUVENIR TOPS ALL MY TREASURE. So postcards with messages sent from the destination of travel are definitely treasured assuring the people back home that you are having a great time.
A traveler normally picks up Souvenirs which would take them to a place to relive the experience, each one picks up as per their taste and liking and the souvenirs are available in a vivid variety. BUT top of my list is the MAGNETS placed on the Black back of my fridge.
I am sure you all must have collected souvenirs, I have started a conversation with mine and reached you and inspired you to dig in, please share your valued and loved treasure trove of souvenirs with me.
I would love to listen to your stories linked with the souvenirs. Stay tuned to Varsha Mahore Blogs .Enriching lives through travel. www.justonewayticket.in
Very good collection..
Nice blog 🙏