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The real souvenir

January 4, 2018January 4, 2018 Pearlsandsouls

A selection of souvenirs from around the world

When I travel to other countries, I buy a lot of souvenirs. But not only the kind you would expect. You probably have been to another town, city, state, country or continent at least once in your life. If not, perhaps you have been a tourist in your own town visiting a famous site or discovering a place you had never been before.

Traditional souvenirs, the kind that has the name and perhaps a picture of the landmark, the city, state, or country imprinted, can be found everywhere. Souvenir shops are plenty around famous sites attracting almost every visitor and making it hard to leave without purchasing at least one item. I used to buy a lot of refrigerator magnets, which, many years ago, were more popular in the United States than other countries. Now they can be found everywhere. About twenty years ago, I started a collection buying one in each state I visited. I would return home and place them on my refrigerator. My first intention was to visit all 50 states. I had to because I wanted a magnet of each one of them. I did not want to ask other people to bring me one because that would have not been the same as visiting myself. Then I stopped collecting.

Although I have been fortunate to set foot on about half of the United States so far, I don’t believe I will visit each of the 50 states in this lifetime. I also have been lucky to visit many other countries of the world and once tried to create a map of all my trips. Knowing that my world map will likely never be complete, I stopped collecting magnets and counting states and countries. No offense, but, over the years, I have also come to prefer more useful souvenirs that I can actually use later on, such as a mug for example. I also take on average a thousand photos during a weeklong trip. I love capturing the moment engraving it in our physical world to last at least a lifetime. Like the contents of a time capsule, such souvenirs are meant to serve as a reminder of a trip, an adventure, a vacation long gone no matter how many or few countries and states you visit.

Yes, I buy physical souvenirs wherever I go in the world. I also like buying clothes, food, and other things that people enjoy there. I love the variety that these things bring into my life instead of relying on local goods only. Bringing back everyday items feels like bringing a little of the everyday life of that place with me. My favorite souvenir, however, is something immaterial.

In addition, I fill my suitcase with memories. These recollections are intangible but last for eternity, longer than any magnet or mug. The experiences made on the trip such as sounds, scents, sights, and sensations, are imprinted in memory forever. They can never be destroyed, forgotten, discarded or left in clutter. Besides, whenever I find myself wishing to go on my next trip but find myself unable to go on one at that moment, I can recall these kinds of souvenirs whenever and wherever I like. I can always count on my memories of travels past whenever I feel like traveling again or long for a place I have visited.

Memories evoke a kind of gratitude that allows me to be thankful for these journeys and experiences. As you probably know, feeling gratitude in your heart makes you feel better, life in the moment, and look forward to your next adventure all at the same time. I hope that you will make many memories that you can cherish for eternity and hold on to until your next trip wherever it might take you.

Love,

Barbara

barbarabullock.wordpress.com

#travelling #travel #souvenir #memories #homesick #blog #writer #country #foreign #feelings #trip #memory #journey #magnet #unitedstates #america #usa #visit #world #tourism #vacation

The dream of a wealthy world

September 26, 2017September 26, 2017 Pearlsandsouls

Money is not everything. You probably have heard this phrase repeatedly. Perhaps you believe it and live by it. It is true that many beautiful things in life are actually free of charge. It is also correct that many things cannot be bought with money nor do they have to. Our Mother Earth supplies us with everything we need. True love, friendship, and compassion and more cannot be bought with any known currency. Nevertheless, I do believe in and dream of a wealthy world with lots and lots of money in it. Let me explain.

I grew up in a blue-collar family and neighborhood. Rarely did I experience or see anything that most people would call rich or wealthy in a monetary sense. I am talking about millionaires living a luxurious lifestyle. Truth be told, I only saw them on television. I was probably the biggest fan of the most popular soap operas of the 80s and 90s that portrayed wealthy families owning real estate, wineries, oil companies, multi-million dollar corporations and the like. I always loved marveling at their mansions, luxury cars, fancy clothes, and diamonds. I was so fascinated by the characters and stories that I would watch these shows over and over again.

I was so absorbed in the scenes that I almost forgot where I was. I was in my wealthy world. While I enjoyed watching the luxuries, I also understood that with such riches so much good in the world can be done. As I learned about giving, tilting, charity, and philanthropy, I started loving the idea of being wealthy myself. Ever since I was old enough to grasp the difference between rich, middle class and poor, I wanted more out of my life for this reason. From the time when I was a little girl, I wanted to help others, especially less fortunate people.

When I look around today, I see much wealth and luxury. I have also been very fortunate to enjoy it every once in a while. However, I also see a lot of poverty and need. It pains my heart that many children will die of hunger in their mother’s arms while you read this and while tons and tons of food are thrown away. It is unimaginable for me that millions of people don’t have warm clothes and shoes to wear, no homes to come home to, no education accessible to them to better themselves and so many other things that are quite affordable today.

This is why I dream of a wealthy world. This is why I dream of a wealthy me. I dream of being able to share what I have with the less fortunate. The more money I make, the more I can share. I dream of having my own foundation some day. I dream of a world free of poverty. In this sense, money is almost everything. This is my dream world. This is my dream of a wealthy world.

Love,

Barbara

barbarabullock.wordpress.com

#wealth #money #income #charity #giving #philanthropy #sharing #tilting #poverty #foundation

How to stay calm when the train suddenly stops

August 26, 2017August 26, 2017 Pearlsandsouls

Many years ago or today, train travel is an adventure

Finally, you are on your long awaited summer vacation. Finally, you are on the road getting away from stress and annoyances back home. You look forward to visiting a new destination, your family and friends, or getting pampered in a luxury hotel. Suddenly, your trip does not seem to turn out the way you had hoped. What are you going to do now? Here is my experience and point of view on how to stay calm when the train suddenly stops.

This summer, I was on my way from Vienna, Austria to Zurich, Switzerland, Milan, and Venice, Italy. I had traveled this route many times over. This time I chose to take the train. I looked forward to enjoying beautiful sights, being enchanted by magnificent scenery of majestic mountains, valleys, and prairies through panoramic windows of a modern high speed train, and enjoying upscale service from my first-class seat. What might seem an amazing train trip, came with a few travel problems.

After about three hours of train travel, the train staff announced that our train could not continue for the time being. A cargo train had lost its load on the tracks. In addition, for some inexplicable reason, our train would not have priority over other high speed trains traveling to certain destinations. We were literally stuck in a train station in southern Germany. I have always liked Germany, so why not spend some time there, right? Finally, after two hours of waiting, we moved again. Understandably, many passengers, most of all those who had connections to catch, started to get very worried about the two-hour delay our train had accumulated. About an hour later, we arrived in Innsbruck.

In Innsbruck, the next announcement was made. Apparently, our train was broken, and we all had to get off. At first, many passengers, including me and my company, did not believe the news and stayed on the train. As the train emptied more and more, I realized that, no, this was no joke. What happened next is the most inspiring moment on this entire journey.

During summer time when many passengers from all around the world travel together, various cultures and people were represented on that particular train. As you know, differences among mindsets can be great including handling problems in life, and in this case, on the train. A man got very upset and started yelling at innocent, unknowing personnel at the train station. A couple panicked over how they would catch their connections once in Zurich. Others, including me, swore never to take the train again. Then a group of American tourists came. Three generations traveling through Europe. Their leader did the only logical and efficient thing to do. Remaining calm, he went online and checked what time the next train would go out of the station of Innsbruck towards Zurich. Returning with the information that the next train would leave an hour later, he had dealt with the problem for all of us. I felt inspired by his rational approach of solving a complicated situation. No anger or panic needed.

Needless to say, I changed my mind over train travel. No need to get upset. No need to stop traveling by train. Next time your train stops unexpectedly, take a deep breath. Go to the information counter and check when the next train leaves for your destination. You’ll solve the problem for yourself and many others so all can be on the way to their destinations again.

Happy travels,

Barbara

barbarabullock.wordpress.com

#travel #train #traveling #trip #vacation #problem #issues #inspiration #tourist #group #groupleader #inspiring #Vienna #Zurich #Austria #Switzerland #American

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