Just buy it.

I know people who love to buy things, no matter where they are. They stock up on shoes, clothes, furniture, accessories, whenever they can. Others, like me, are not really into shopping. Sure, there was a time when I loved to shop as a past time. Loved those sales. And I still do if I have to shop for something specific. But shopping just for the sake of shopping is usually not my thing. (I also mentioned that in this post). 

When traveling, I am a bit different. I love to browse through local markets (also mentioned here and here) and check out local wares. But I know people who don’t buy things when they travel. They have enough stuff, they say. "Who has the room?" they exclaim. Yes, I understand this. We all could do with a little less “stuff.” But for me, the things I buy when traveling are more than things. They are compact memory portals, taking me back to a great trip, even for just a moment.

I know that may sound a bit trite. But when you are working too many hours, relaxing too few, worried about bills, spending so much time in the usual everyday madness that is your existence, sometimes grabbing that bag you bought in Guatemala, or wearing the t-shirt you purchased in Ecuador, or putting that Mexico-made ring on your finger can be a little pick-me-up, a little reminder of a wonderful time you had in another place. Yes, just a reminder. But I value those little reminders

I recently had friends visit here in Texas from Norway. One was born in Texas and had not been back since she was a baby. She really caught the Texas fever, grabbing hold of the state of her birth like a cowboy lassoing a calf, and didn’t let go until she went back to Norway. I’m not sure she even let go then.

She made many Texas-centric purchases ... a lot of items with the lone star on them. And she didn’t just buy them and take them back to the hotel. She wore them while in Texas. Some people looked at her twice after seeing her dressed a bit like a cowgirl, and then hearing her speak, not with a southern drawl, but with a Scandinavian accent. She understood these double-takes and would explain, “I am from Texas!”

Here is Pernille, the lovely Texas-born Norwegian
and her cool Texas boots. I think she looks terrific,
like a real Texan (yes, many people in Texas
wear cowboy boots all the time. It's true!). 

I don’t know if she continued to wear her bedazzled lone star items back home. I think she probably did. She had had a wonderful time in her birth state and I am sure she wanted to extend that to her home country. Those things will always make her smile, maybe even laugh, whenever she sees them. 

So if you are one of those folks who think, “Why do I need to buy anything on this trip? I have enough stuff,” shop around anyway. You might find something – and it doesn’t have to be big – that will bring you back to that lovely store down the street from the little cafe where you liked to buy café con leche and pan dulce every afternoon. Those kinds of flashbacks are worth every penny.