Souvenirs

Souvenirs are those things we bring home from a trip. The easiest souvenir comes from a store specializing in them and may or may not be made locally. What do you collect to bring home? I like the trademarked coasters provided with drinks in most bars/pubs. We also collect flowers and press them in the pages of our guidebooks.  We have been known to bring home small rocks on which I put a dab of liquid paper and write the location "found" in pencil. I have gone to thrift/tag/junk stores in 11 countries picking up old beer can or bottle openers, known as "Church keys". We rarely buy anything. Maybe a wine glass from Murano or a knit sweater from Ireland or a silver ring from a local craftsman in Florence. Mainly, we bring back hundreds of photos and memories.