I loved collecting ‘things’, once upon a time. Objects for the house. Clothes and accessories. And being Indian, jewellery. Because they gave me pleasure, and because it was the done thing.
Today, I cannot look at anything of monetary value without converting the cost into travel terms. I have walked out of many stores with a wallet full of gift money, eschewing the fleeting pleasure of expensive baubles for the enduring value of travel memories. I have evolved into a hoarder of a different kind.
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A hoarder of a different kind:) There is nothing more enriching than travelling and collecting stories 🙂 Beautiful!
Wonderful quote, Madhu. I agree that travel memories are absolutely priceless. 🙂
The most useful thing to collect from our travel experience is the memory. That is the only kind of riches worth having.
Madhu…I get it. I’m hoarding myself in Bali as we speak. I’m saving half my free breakfast for lunch! I don’t need things. I need to be…gone. To foreign lands. To anywhere, any time. Now is the best time.
Lovely thought, Madhu. It is true how we are all collectors at heart, fearing the moment may pass to soon without relishing every part of it when it is happening.
So true …. as I continue my quest to further declutter my house and free up more time and money for experiences!
I too cherish my travel memories, and my blogs and pictures which record them all. I also love to collect a few things along the way, but nothing expensive and not too much. 🙂
I so agree, Madhu. Spot on. I love to travel and photos make great souvenirs and memories.
janet
In the long run, perhaps it”s these memories of travel (and the photos, of course) that make a difference. A knick-knack or collectible, as visible as they are, are things that can go away.
Another simple but poignant post, Madhu.
I can totally relate, Madhu. For a long time I was a hoarder of souvenirs – mostly pottery and miniatures houses or landmarks from around the world. While in New York I even bought an oversized model of the Chrysler Building! But most of these are now in storage because I don’t have space to display them anywhere around the house. If I wasn’t going on a trip I was busy collecting travel guides and architecture books. The one thing I tend to hoard now (apart from those precious travel memories) are photos… thankfully they only take up space in the digital realm!
So true, Madhu! My fortitude, though, is lacking and despite best intentions, I have oft returned with objects which I now look at with fond memory tinged with regret.
One day I will learn to recall the memory without the visual/tactical cue.
Ahh, been there done that! You’ll evolve too as you get older 🙂
As for the lasting nature of the ‘value’ they hold, travel memories are by far the best ‘investment’. 🙂 I really like the wildebeest picture, it speaks to the day it must have been when you saw them.
Thank you Ami. That crossing we witnessed was a a priceless experience. The safari itself, beyond the wildlife sightings was so very special.
I hold my travel memories close and treasure them. All the things I bought or purchased from travelling have since got lost or became unimportant. Those memories and experiences made me who I am. Fantastic photo by the way, I still cherish my photo’s and diaries too.
Me too. Now that they are all digital, it is so easy to browse through them as well!
Oh that is so true! I like the way you keep a journal of the places you’ve visited as that brings the mental pictures further to life as you reflect on what you wrote long ago.
A journal and photos. And music. Its amazing how music transports me to a certain place or time!
I’ve never been much of a hoarder, except of anything paper, and any desire to buy mementos was scotched by my daughter in Egypt, on my first overseas trip: “No. You don’t want to buy one of those” – and in fact I didn’t. But travel memories yes – sharp and clear, and helped by photos and diary. I love the idea of collecting future nostalgia. (My other daughter castigated me once for buying an orange squeezer at an op shop for 70c – “Far too expensive!”. So yet again I learn from my children. It helped never having much money.)
Lovely thoughts…very well said!
Thank you for reading. Have a great day!
I so hear you Madhu. Rarely will I venture into a store to buy anything that isn’t a “needed” item, because it allows me the luxury to be able to say no (existential freedom) and move on to even more exciting ventures. You’re leading the charge – love it!!
Thank you Mary. Seems like we are all more similar than we realise!
I too have evolved into a hoarder of a different kind. We never buy anything on our travels except essentials and small gifts for friends and family. I have no interest in owning stuff anymore. Fabulous photo!
Alison
Me neither. Stopped buying things on our travels a long time ago as well. Would rather spend that money on a special meal! 🙂 Happy Saturday Alison!
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
The best thing to collect: memories!!
Thank you for the re-blog Dr. Rex.
Welcome! Great post … Peace!
Such a lovely post and an incredible image.
Thank you Mithriluna. The wildebeest road crossing was the first thing that came to mind when I read the quote.
I’m not interested in possessions, except perhaps books, like you i’d rather travel although its more holiday that travel for me. So where next Madhu?
Northern Spain Gilly…..finally received our visas this evening!
Oh fab, the border with France or the east side and Barcelona?
The border with France, mainly San Sebastian, Bilbao and Santander with a few short stops in between.
The Camino perhaps?
No, we aren’t going that far East.
wow – well said and presented – like a journey brings a light at the end of the tunnel….
Thank you Mihrank. I imagine, you value your beautiful music the most 🙂
Many of us know this…but some cannot leave the ways of old. I used to love jewellery and pretty clothes…Now I seldom buy clothes and never buy jewellery. Partly I’m no longer fitting into the beautiful clothes and partly because experience is worth more. So…I agree with you.
Ha, ha, not being able to fit into most of my beautiful clothes could have been a major reason for me as well Ann Christine! At least the sari ought to be exempt from the ‘fit’ conundrum, but we spend small fortunes on blouses and I consistently grow out of them! 😦
…well, then I’m not alone…
No….I am guessing that boat might be rather crowded 🙂
;-D
Well said, Madhu! I collect future nostalgias, and the mention of a place can take me back…and keeping photographs sparks even more memories, my future nostalgias!
Sue, the credit goes to Mr. Holmes, the American traveller who is said to have coined the word: ‘travelogue’! Love ‘Future Nostalgias’ 🙂
I picked future nostalgias up from somewhere and have used it ever since!
I agree with you that material goods we stock up over a period of time lose their value, because we do not have the same feeling about these things now, as when we bought them. Our mind goes through a lot of change what was valuable once is no longer as precious now.
But when we travel as you have said those memories give us much pleasure when we think back. 🙂
It is strange how the value of material things start diminishing the instant you acquire them isn’t it? Thank you for your lovely comment Ranu. Have a great Sunday.
Yes, very well said; what can be more profound powerful that those lovely travel memories and experiences we keep accumulating and nurturing in our limited memory bank, we are flooded with information, it is a glut today and how do we keep those beautiful and special moments intact and not tarnished and corrupted in the cacophony of noise and views and news that keep sweeping us day in and day out…yes, the tangible gifts have fleeting value and it looses it essence and many times we loos the gift itself, we are on the move and shifting place to place…
Loved the very idea, pretty wonderful thought and the presentation is indeed a gift to us and makes our memory awakens…the quotes sums it all.
😀
Thank you Nihar. The ‘cacophany of views and news’ makes me want to junk my TVs as well 🙂
Indeed Madhu, I have gone through this phase recently and not able to digest the noise in the news that gets telecasted and though I was hooked to 9 pm news, have shifted the focus the Travelxp channel, so refreshing…no noise only hear the voice of nature…
😀
Eventually we realise unnecessary possessions bring limited pleasures
Guess we all evolve. Most of us at least 🙂 Have a great weekend Mallee.