Souvenirs - Lili on the Loose

10 12, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Christmas Pyramid

By Lili|December 10th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Christmas Pyramid, Egypt, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Guatemala, Lichtergestelle, Mexico, Munich, Pyramid|0 Comments

I've seen ancient pyramids in Egypt, Guatemala, & Mexico. But while traveling in Germany I frequently saw larger than life Christmas Pyramids at the Christmas Markets. A glowing Pyramid in Munich Christmas Pyramids originated in Erzgebirge aka Ore Mountains of Germany (like the Nutcracker) and is rumored to be a predecessor to the Christmas Tree. It is designed more like a tiered carousel which often depicted Christian scenes like angles or mangers, while others might feature forests or everyday life. The spinning motion at the top was often achieved by candles whose rising heat would help spin the propeller.

2 12, 2016

German Gingerbread in Munich, Germany

By Lili|December 2nd, 2016|Categories: Photography, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Cristkindlmarket, Europe, Frankfurt, German Christmas Market, Germany, Gingerbread, Lebkuchen, Munich, Photo Friday, Weinahtsmarkt|0 Comments

While walking through Christmas Markets in Germany you cannot help to notice the many Gingerbread treats and ornaments all around. Also known as Lebkuchen they make great souvenirs and can last for years if you keep them wrapped! Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

26 11, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: German Boot Mugs

By Lili|November 26th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, boot, boot mug, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Cristkindlmarket, deposit, ein Pfand, Europe, Germany, Glühwein, mug, mugs, Munich, Pfand, Weinahtsmarkt|0 Comments

As I've written before, collecting German Christmas Market Mugs can be addicting! Here are two examples of the elusive "boot mug" that you might find at Christmas Markets. I cannot recall where the red one is from (yes I bought way to many mugs) but the blue one is from Munich. It also is more molded, with buttons, laces, and more "fold" texture around the base of the mug. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

12 11, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Genuine Sea Glass

By Lili|November 12th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2010, 2011, 2012, beach, Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Adventure 2012, Montezuma, ocean, Sea Glass, St. John, St. John 2010, St. John 2011, USVI|0 Comments

I often look for unique sea shells when I'm on vacation, but natural or genuine Sea Glass is like winning a treasure hunt! Sea Glass comes from broken glassware that are tumbled and grounded against the sandy sea floor and can take anywhere from 20-50 years before it reaches it characteristic weathering of frosted coloration and rounded edges. There are rumors that people use to refer to them as "Mermaid Tears", morning drowned sailors. Sea Glass has become so widely used as "gems of the sea" that they actually have a rating, as well as some colors are rarer than

29 10, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Haunting Tales

By Lili|October 29th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 1997, 2000, Appalachian Foothills, Book, books, Georgia, ghost stories, Ghosts & Haunts from the Appalachian Foothills, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hawaii, Hawaii's Best Spooky Tales, legends, North America, Oahu, Odyssey of the Mind, Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, OM, Pacific, stories, Sunburnt, Tennessee, USA|0 Comments

As a child I wanted to grow up and be a Librarian (well and a paleontologist or Indiana Jones!) As I just loved books! I would go to a few book stores on each trip, mainly to purchase more to read as I would have gone through all of the books I brought (thank god for the Kindle...no more separate bag just for books!) On two trips when I was in middle school I picked up my two favorite Ghost Stories books! In 1997, I stopped by this little bookstore and picked up a few of Rick Carroll's Hawaii's Best

15 10, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Japanese Wooden Dolls

By Lili|October 15th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2004, Asia, doll, Japan, japanese wooden doll, Kokeshi, Sister Cities Japan 2004, Tokyo, wood doll, wooden doll|0 Comments

A common souvenir from Japan is the Japanese Wooden Doll, or Kokeshi. There are two types, the traditional kokeshi, which is made in two parts and all details are usually painted on. Or the Creative Kokeshi which may have other elements. This Kokeshi below I got in Tokyo and is a Creative Kokeshi. I picked it out as its wearing a kimono with a sakura blossom design. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

1 10, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Hand-Crafted Chocolate

By Lili|October 1st, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2013, Antigua, Central America, Choco Museo, chocolate, Chocolate Museum, Guatemala, hand-crafted chocolate, Hucks, Mayan Encounter 2013|0 Comments

As I wrote before, Making Chocolate in Antigua, Guatemala was one of my favorite activities. However, making chocolate during a heat wave, and then staying at a budget hotel with no AC meant that my handcrafted chocolates were not long for the world. So I decided to give pieces of chocolate to the people in my tour group! My chocolate before it set. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

17 09, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Oktoberfest

By Lili|September 17th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, beer, Christmas in Germany 2011, Europe, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest, shot glass, Stein|0 Comments

Today Oktoberfest starts in Germany! I haven't had a chance to go to that event, but I did visit Germany over Christmas a few years ago and picked up these mini steins from Munich. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

3 09, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Scarlet Macaw Model

By Lili|September 3rd, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2012, Central America, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Adventure 2012, Macaw, Montezuma, puppet, Scarlet Macaw, wood toy|0 Comments

Sometimes you'll come across a souvenir which is so unusual you just have to have it. This is the case of the Scarlet Macaw. I had loaned a friend some money earlier, and to pay me back they were going to use their credit card so I could purchase some souvenirs. One of those was this wooden toy Macaw. It is small but beautifully colored and its wings flap from the wires attached to it as if it was a puppet. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

20 08, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Maho Bay Glass Blowing

By Lili|August 20th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Caribbean, glass, Glass Art, Glass Blowing, Maho Bay, Maho Bay Camps, St. John, St. John 2011, Trash to Treasure Studio, USVI|0 Comments

There once was an amazing echo-campground on St. John, USVI. You could stay in these canvas tents in the trees. And you could watch glassblowing artisans use recycled glass to make beautiful things all night long. Sadly, the campgrounds lost their lease and the land was sold a few years back. Which makes Maho Bay Glass souvenirs rare. This is an example of their beautiful work, of a purple fish ornament. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.