My parents were smart. With four little children they found a way we would all be happy when visiting gift shops while traveling without having to spend lots of money, waste time choosing something, or get something too big. They had us each collect one small thing just as my father had for many years with key chains.
Buttons, pins, patches and magnets were the four things–one for each of us. As evidenced by this blog and a big reason for its name, my souvenirs were patches. For most of my life now I’ve collected patches from around the world on my own adventures. I’ve also been given patches as gifts from others’ travels. As a kid, I had a large bulletin board on my bedroom wall where I could display my souvenirs. I have an amazing bag made by my mother covered with patches, and I put a few on another bag. Most, however, are stored in a shoe box. Someday they will be on other bags or on a blanket, but I won’t wait for that to keep collecting. Though I don’t have a physical patch board now, I put together a virtual patch board to share my many patches with you.
Now, when I get new patches, I will update the board. So, after each adventure, go check out the board to see a new patch. You can find a link to the patch board on the main menu.
