We just returned from a 3-week trip including a transatlantic cruise and a week in Munich. Unfortunately, international travel is not as elegant as it once was, even by ship. So these days, shopping for souvenirs for the family can be quite a challenge. Airport security and airline baggage fees have limited the options.
As little as ten years ago, we returned from Europe with three silk rugs and an end table! No more. Now we shop for jewelry, unframed art work, silk scarves, small toys for the grandkids. We also risk buying Belgian chocolates and other packaged candy and herbs.
It seems so different now than last century but checking our inventory, we find much the same: jewelry, scarves, paper reminiscences. I guess it’s not so different after all!