I always like to take a little something with me as a reminder of my travels, something I can use to look back and reminisce about the fantastic time I had. Especially for Filipinos, we always love bringing home “pasalubong” to our friends and family. Not to mention, displaying such a memento around the home can be a great conversation starter when we have guests. After all, buying souvenirs is part of the fun holiday experience.

Souvenir is a french word meaning memento, keepsake or token of remembrance. It is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. But more than souvenirs, experiences are far more important, and travelling is already an experience in itself.

If I had to pick a place where I would like to spend more time in, it would be Paris. As I mentioned in my previous post, I did not fall in love with Paris the first time but a year after I went, I still can’t stop thinking about it and I’m still wondering why. There’s something about Paris that takes you in…but don’t get jealous Italy, I am still in love with you.

Traveling is so important to me. I could never describe what it is I like so much about travelling until I came across a quote, “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”

We all need new experiences in fresh places, somewhere you have never been before and as far away as you can afford to go before it is too late.

Well, here are some of the best souvenirs and most unforgettable experiences I brought home with me from my trip:    

Cakes, Crepes and Pastries. Paris is a haven for patisseries, but you already kow that and undeniably home to the best in the world. I can definitely say I ate my way through the city of lights.

This was a lovely authentic French restaurant I discovered around the corner from our apartment. The restaurant is small and run by three people. I would have taken a picture of my crepe but I ate it far too quickly.

Laundry experience. I may have been hiding under a rock all these years and it took me sometime to figure out how to use a washing machine. Don’t get me wrong, we do have a washing machine at home but it’s not as complicated as the one we have at the apartment in Paris. I also have a cleaning lady that comes in on weekends to do our laundry. 

It was also my first time to do laundry while travelling and this was an experience I will always treasure. I didn’t realize it was that easy! I loved the experience of doing my own laundry and it made me realize that I definitely need to pack lighter next time.

I got frustrated using the washing machine in the apartment because I didn’t know how to use it. I had to take my clothes out and bring them to the laundry shop wet.

I bought some coasters from the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower key chain and bottled filled with bonbon on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, Historiae perfume at the Versailles Palace and Roger & Gallet soap in a drugstore at Paris Gare de l’Est.

Roger & Gallet soaps. A little luxury anyone can afford every time you take a shower. I love love these soaps and their hands and nail creams. They smell so good.

Roger & Gallet hands and nails creams.

Brocante. Brocante is a French term for a market that sells preloved furniture. I love thrift shopping in Paris! Just imagine the incredible paintings, watercolors, drawings, furniture, chandeliers and objects d’art you can find here.

Brocante.

Old Teacups and accessory. A teacup is always a nice souvenir for myself. Some of these were old teacups I found at a thrift store. I used them to display some of my accessory.

Pill boxes or Trinket boxes.

Marie Antoinette Rose tea. I can never leave Paris without my rose tea. I’m sure there are places where you can get the best of the best tea available but I’m happy with my rose tea.

Diptyque Candle. The diptyque story began in Paris at 34 boulevard Saint-Germain. George Sand wrote “The perfume of the soul is remembrance.” Have you ever smelled something and were instantly reminded of a certain moment in your life? I love how scents can easily transport you to a place or time.

Ref Magnets. This is probably the most common souvenir people buy from their trips. I used to not care about buying them but I’m starting to appreciate these magnets more recently.

Stationery, postcards and candles. I bought my stationery in Florence but I feel like I made more connections with some of the best poets and writers in the world in Paris. Haha.

                    Books from Shakespeare and Company.

Valerie Dumas postcards. I love these postcards. There’s something about them that makes me happy just by looking at them. I bought this at a little bookstore right above the train station of Oberkampf. As soon as I got back to Manila, I had them framed and they’re now hanging prettily on my wall.