Tag Archives: hotels

Mementos

I always try to keep some of the things I need and collect when traveling.  Like train tickets, a timetable, a matchbook, CD of the local music and so on.  They are small, but evocative prompts that help me to recall where I’ve been.

“I have more memories than if I were a thousand years old.”                                                     Charles Baudelaire

Starkly different from the things I shop for, these are smaller mementos that remind me of very specific experiences I’ve enjoyed while on a trip…a hotel, a train ride, a restaurant, a place I enjoyed visiting, local music, a show, and so on.

Small mementos prompt sweet memories!

Small mementos prompt sweet memories!

Even better, these mementos can be brought together in a collage.  Or an online “scrap book” of photos.  I sometimes assemble these little cards and tickets in a large decorative envelope with the name of the place they’re from and dates of the trip.  It’s so much fun to “re-discover” these souvenirs when I want to recall the feelings of a trip I made on my own.

Small reminders can evoke Big Memories

Small reminders can evoke Big Memories

These maps, cards, tickets and such are so helpful when you’ve been out and about on your own.  Traveling with a spouse, friends or family provides an opportunity to create a collective memory.  But when you’re traveling on your own, it’s important to collect these little reminders that will help jog your memory back to a place you enjoyed.  Hotels, cafes and restaurants too frequently have a card or photo available to take along with you.  Don’t hesitate to take one and add these to your collections.

Be sure to take these with you after a meal or a stay!

Be sure to take these with you after a meal or a stay!

 They will be your “companion pieces” when you want to recall a wonderful trip you made with “A Table For One”.

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady