It's ridiculously easy to spend your life savings in a Copenhagen design shop. We somehow managed to exercise restraint by choosing a few select stores and keeping things small-scale.
All in Souvenirs
Ecuadorian carvings and alpaca soap
Here are some things of beauty we brought back from Ecuador to give away or (greedily) keep for ourselves.
Rooster, Portugal
The legend of the Rooster of Barcelos tells the story of a dead rooster's miraculous intervention in proving the innocence of a man sentenced to death. The rooster has since become the unofficial symbol of Portugal.
Panamanian crafts & chocolate
I spent a few weeks traipsing through the jungle and island hopping in Panama and Costa Rica, with only a backpack (and a fiend). Needless to say, spare room was scarce, but this stuff really was worth cramming in there.
Japanese washi tape & whiskey
I could have packed a shipping container full of beautiful objects we saw in Japan, but alas, I was sensible and brought back just a few gems.
What do you collect?
My father spent much of his life traveling. On his first solo trip in the 60s, he found himself in a youth hostel, in Lausanne, Switzerland. On the dirty floor, near his cot he spotted a small plastic figurine.
Map Wrap
Wouldn't that be the perfect introduction to a new city? A great map and a sugar high to keep you walking.
Giveaway winner!
A few of you have asked me how to pronounce the name of the coffee pot: Džezva • jez-vah (jez as in Jezebel)
Souvenir Giveaway
Would you like a hand-made souvenir? Who would't right? I'll happily ship it anywhere in the world.
A what? A postcard?
I can't remember the last time I recieved one. Perhaps it's been 10 years, maybe more...?
Wooden flowers & Dutch chocolate
Here's what my (lucky) friends got from the Netherlands.
Black Madonna, Spain
"On a rugged carved mountain not far from Barcelona lies one of the most popular destinations of the Catalan region and Spain: the statue of the Black Madonna."
Che Guevara, Cuba
"The Argentine guerrilla and modern Cuba’s co-founding father has been fashioned into a hipster icon."
Ex-Yu Sweets
A round-up of desserts from my childhood in Serbia. I can still get my hands on a few of them, and often just the crinkling of the wrapper is enough to trigger a flood of memories.
Hawaiian nuts & filthy farmgirls
Some (mostly edible) treats from the Pacific islands.
Byzantine treasures & Serbian inside jokes
If you don't want to break any international laws and bring back delicious cheese products from Serbia (yep, I'm talking 'kajmak' here), then here's a list of more customs-friendly souvenirs.
Argentinian matches & herbal tea
Curious objects (old and new) from the street markets of Buenos Aires.
Sheep, birds & other Icelandic creatures
From cozy to creepy—reminders of a wondrous trip to Iceland
Funny tees & New York art books
A bunch of quirky, city-themed gifts I stuffed into my carry-on.
Greek olives & controversial coffee
This is pretty much the best smelling travel loot to date. Yum.