Be it a weekend getaway, a romantic little trip, or a long journey, are you the type of person to get souvenirs? If you think about it, souvenirs have a habit of collecting dust. Even the ones you buy during the festival season (including fashion) tend to collect dust. Just think about it; the keychains, fridge magnets, and touristy t-shirts always seem like a great idea at the moment, well, until they get stuffed in a drawer and completely forgotten. The best souvenirs aren’t the ones that sit on a shelf.
They’re the ones you carry with you, on your skin, hair, or as part of your look. Tattoos, piercings, hair transformations, and beauty treatments picked up along the way don’t just remind you of a place. They turn into little timestamps of your life, shaping your story in a way no material object ever could.
Why Experiences Make Better Souvenirs Than Stuff
A snow globe might sit on your desk for a while, but will it transport you back to the streets of Tokyo at 2 a.m. after an impromptu karaoke night? Will it remind you of that adrenaline-fueled solo trip through Europe where you decided to throw caution to the wind and get something permanent? Probably not. Besides, you need to remember that trinkets get lost, t-shirts shrink in the wash, and decorative items eventually end up collecting dust in a forgotten corner.
But for the most part, a body-oriented souvenir is forever (again, it depends on what it is). A tattoo tells a story every time someone asks about it. A piercing catches the light, and suddenly, you’re back in that tiny shop in Berlin, buzzing with excitement. But even a dramatic haircut can bring back the energy of that specific time in life (even if this is pretty temporary). Overall, these experiences don’t just remind you of a trip; they become a part of you.
Ink That Holds a Memory
For many people, a tattoo isn’t just ink on the skin. If you think about it, it’s a permanent story, a badge of experience. Okay, well, not all are permanent (like henna), but obviously, you can opt for something permanent. But really, there’s no better way to mark a travel experience than by getting something meaningful tattooed in the place that inspired it. Just think about it like this: local artists bring their culture, their art, and their style into the work, making it something unique to that moment.
Getting a Sak Yant tattoo in Thailand from a monk isn’t just body art; it can be seen as a spiritual experience. The same goes for Polynesian tribal tattoos, which carry deep meaning and history, making them far more than just decoration (but of course, be aware of cultural appropriation).
But even a tiny, impulsive design done in a grungy little tattoo shop while traveling solo can hold a story that’s worth keeping forever. And years later, when someone asks, “What does that mean?” you get to relive the memory all over again. It is not uncommon, for example, for through hikers to get tattoos that represent the trails they hike. I’m in an Appalachian Trail group, and so many people get tattoos of some of the popular sites or even the AT logo. On Everest, there was someone a few years back who opened up a tattoo parlor at Everest Base Camp.
Piercings as a Travel Keepsake
You already knew this, but a piercing is like a tiny, rebellious souvenir that keeps on giving. Well, not just a travel souvenir, but that little experience (be it spontaneous or not) of getting the piercing will always live with you, even once there’s a bit of scarring or the hole closes up.
So, every time it catches your reflection, it brings back the memory of where you were when you got it. Some cities are known for their piercing culture, like Berlin, New York, London, and there are others (but these seem to be the top three) and since they’re so famous, they offer top-tier piercing studios and expert artists (and going to some of these famous ones is like an experience of itself. But of course, others have their own cultural spin on body modifications, making the experience even more unique.
For example, something like a Medusa piercing is a pretty bold choice, and proper aftercare is essential (well, for all piercings it is). Medusa piercing aftercare involves keeping the area clean and free from irritation while allowing it to heal smoothly. Unlike a keychain that ends up in a drawer, a well-cared-for piercing becomes a lasting reminder of that adventure, one you can carry with you everywhere. Again, piercings can close, but if you’re on top of it, it’s not going to.
Beauty Treatments that Feel Like a Cultural Experience
If you think about it, some self-care rituals go beyond pampering. They’re experiences that immerse you in a destination’s culture. One of the best examples would have to be a Moroccan hammam because you’ll get super exfoliated to the point where your legs feel brand new (and power-washed).
The same goes for K-beauty, so going to an aesthetician when in South Korea will make you feel amazing. Now, sure, these treatments won’t last a lifetime, but for a little while, your skin will feel amazing (and the memory will last forever, too).
Have you ever gotten a piercing or a tattoo in order to remember a great adventure? Let us know in the comments below if you got a tattoo or a piercing. And if you got a tattoo, what did you get?
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