We’re none of us immune to the pull of the gift shop. I’m a sucker for souvenirs, though I choose carefully. It’s a thin line between charming and cheesy. I don’t mind crossing it, but with care. So if you’re thinking about getting us a little something while you exit through the gift shop, today’s threefer will give you some ideas.
Joining us today is our buddy Rob Verger, who once spent 24 hours in Kennedy Airport for a story. We met Rob when we were all blogging for World Hum, where he still contributes articles and slide shows. Rob also has chatted up Buzz Aldrin and Malcolm Gladwell for Boston Globe articles, and he has taught undergraduate writing at Columbia University.
***
PhD theses could be written about contradictions like this souvenir Eskimo knife: “The Packaging of the Idea of the Authentic.” Photo by Rob Verger.
When I was young, my family and I took a trip to Alaska organized by Princess Cruises: it involved a train, a cruise that edged up to glaciers, and stops at touristy places designed to capture the frontier experience. I still have a souvenir from that trip: an ulu knife, the traditional knife of the Eskimos. I must have gotten it on the train. The funny thing about it is that it’s a replica of a practical device—an “authentic” tool of the Eskimos—packaged for tourists. PhD theses have probably been written about such contradictions. But I don’t care. It’s a cool, cheesy souvenir, and when I was a kid I was in love with the idea of Alaska that was captured by the knife. Actually, I’m still in love with the idea of Alaska. –Rob
Waiting for Old Faithful. NPS photo by Ed Austin & Herb Jones; 1987.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve brought more than a few things home from trips. But if you happen to pass through a gift shop at Yellowstone in the near future, could you pick up Old Faithful salt-and-pepper shakers for me? I’m still mourning the loss of the pair my stupid ex broke. While I wouldn’t mind owning this nifty antique set, the ones I REALLY want are the hokey cartoony ones that make the geyser blast look like a big white mushroom. Sadly, the Yellowstone General Store does not sell them on their site. They should swap them into the spot now occupied by the bear wine caddy. That thing is hideous.–Jenna
My favored souvenir these days is a patriotic mug from wonderful Woodward Oklahoma.
I’m pragmatic. I’m not big on stuff that just sits around looking cute. I like my tsotskes to work for me, to serve a purpose. Refrigerator magnets. Tote bags. Dish towels. Right now, I’m into mugs. Among my souvenirs is a “Votes for Women” mug from Newport, RI and a Veselka mug from the old country, NYC’s East Village. My current favorite is “America at Its Best” from Woodward, OK. It’s got flag-waving children and everything. Unlike bric-a-brac that sit behind glass, practical souvenirs are transient. Towels wear out, mugs break. I’m always sad when that happens. Then I buy new ones on new trips.–Sophia
[...] is goofy souvenirs. I write about a beloved (and cheesy) ulu knife from a long-ago trip to Alaska. Read the story here. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)NYC: Vote Republican! Utah: Vote Democrat!MSNBC [...]
I think we know why he’s Jenna’s EX.
When I was in Costa Rica the first time I got an “authenitc” machete (almost every Tico carries one). Very cheesy, but I just had to have it.
Back when I had to travel to Utah routinely for work, I had to get the shot glass that said “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may be in Utah” from the airport gift shop.
Ohh, Chris. I want one of those shot glasses. I’ve been considering starting a shot glass collection for my husband just so I always know what to buy him when I travel. I theorize that most people who collect things do so because other people force them to. They see you have one cat figurine, suddenly that’s all anyone ever gives you. It makes shopping so much easier.
I made a habit of getting something for the administrative assistant whenever I traveled, because my life was easier if they were happy.
The shot glass was always the easy way to go, except for one place I worked where I knew our admin collected playing card decks. I’ll bet somebody else got her started on that. One former co-worker got the little collectible spoons for his wife every time he traveled.
I wonder if she said, “Oh boy, another little spoon,” through a clenched smile.
Floaty pens are good, too, but those aren’t always easy to find.
Memory slipping I thought “freaky” I have that same coffee cup in my cupboard – and then realized we were together when we got those coffee cups. Now I can’t toss it out!
That’s funny! No, you can’t throw it out. It’s an excellent example of the form.