A quirk is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “an idiosyncracy; a peculiar trait.”
I’m sure a lot of us have quirks to speak of — perhaps we eat our spaghetti weird or text with two pointer fingers instead of two thumbs. Maybe we insist on ironing our underwear (don’t laugh — I know people who do it!). But, no matter what our quirks are, big or small, we all have them.
And I know I have them when it comes to travel.
None of my travel quirks are earth-shattering or exceedingly strange (at least, I don’t think so), but I’m going to share a few of them with you anyway. Perhaps a few of you have these travel quirks, too.
I like to take my shoes off on the plane. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 12-hour flight or a 2-hour one, my toes like to feel the freedom that lies outside the confines of my tennis shoes. But I never go barefooted — no, no, I get too cold on planes for that. Instead, I have a trusty pair of slipper socks that always get packed in my carry-on bag.
I bring books with me I’ve already read. I like to keep myself occupied on long flights with a good book (planes being the only vehicles I can read in without getting motion sickness). But, being conscious of how much crap I’m packing when I travel, I hate to waste precious space on a book that hasn’t been tested yet. What if it’s boring or I hate it? What if the writing is really bad? Then it’s just taking up space in my bag. So I like to bring books along that I’ve already read and loved. I can’t tell you how many flights my various Harry Potter books have been on…
I am obsessed with maps. Maybe it’s because I like feeling in control during my travels (and, you know, not getting lost after every turn), but I can never feel comfortable in a new city or town until I’ve taken a good look at a map of the place. I hoard maps in my purse; in my pockets; in my suitcase. I don’t usually take them out very often when I’m actually running around (unless they are maps of subway or bus routes), but it makes me feel better just knowing they’re there.
I collect brochures, ticket stubs, receipts, etc. All the detritus that I collect on a trip (including all those maps) usually gets thrown in a plastic souvenir bag and lugged home with me. While it’s true these useless things end up weighing down my luggage, I carry them home as extra souvenirs; proof of all my adventures. In most cases, I use them to scrapbook with when I get home.
2 pages from one of my NZ scrapbooks
I buy postcards that I never send. I have 8 postcards from Chicago. At least a dozen from Hawaii. Maybe 50 from my various trips to New Zealand. And I bought them all without any intention of ever sending them. Sure, I’ll send a postcard or two to friends and family back home when I’m traveling, but the majority of them I buy as souvenirs. The way I look at it, they’re prettier than any of the photos I’m likely to capture, and they’re cheap. Cheap souvenirs = good.
My wall of postcards sent to me by others.
I like buying offensive and/or silly souvenirs. Speaking of souvenirs… An ice cube tray that makes ice cubes in the shape of the Titanic and icebergs? Mints with Sarah Palin‘s face on the tin and one of her stupid quotes? “Don’t Have Ugly Children” gum? A wallet that looks like toast? Yes to all of the above, please! Though, my favorite stupid souvenir has to be a lunch box with a picture of the Last Supper on the front. Classic.
I have an unnatural fear that all my souvenirs will get lost on the way home, so I always pack them in my carry-on. I tend to not trust airlines with my luggage (which is probably why I’ve decided to convert to carry-on-only travel). I’m always convinced they’re out to get me and personal effects, so I usually pack all of my precious (and often stupid) souvenirs in whatever bag I’m taking onto the plane with me. That way, if my suitcase gets lost in limbo and I never see my underwear again, at least I’ll have that plastic stamp that will imprint the Virgin Mary on my morning toast.
My favorite photo pose is one in which my tongue is sticking out. I have trouble taking serious photos. I’m either grinning like an idiot, or (and this is my favorite) sticking my tongue out. Ocassionally I’m making some sort of grimace or pretending to eat someone else’s head. But mostly I just stick my tongue out. Attractive, no?
Before throwing myself off a 134-meter ledge.
So those are some of my travel quirks. What are some of yours?
This was an enjoyable read. I really like your point about buying offensive souvenirs. I’ve backpacked nearly 3 years and I must admit most souvenirs stands over time have come to look more like junk piles. Those unique souvenirs you find are treasures – no matter how offensive..LOL
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. And yes, the best souvenirs are the unique ones that you are unlikely to find anywhere else!
I prefer to be the photographer and not the one photographed, so I brought a favorite small toy and used it as a traveling gnome in photos. maybe years from now I’ll wonder why in the world I didn’t get more photos of myself in the places I’ve visited, but for now I find this infinitely more delightful.
We sound like quirky travel twins! Haha. I have a friend who carries around a little travel-sized gnome everywhere to take photos of. It’s a cool idea!
Great post…v funny! I also take off my shoes on most flights (and wear Birks). I have certain pants I like to wear and I often pack a couple books I’ve attempted to read and failed. And usually, I don’t end up reading them!
Lisa @chickybus recently posted..Cultural Clashes, Dramas and Dilemmas (pt 2)
Thanks for reading, Lisa! I’m glad you found this post amusing. Glad someone gets my sense of humor (and shares some of my quirks)!
Ja volim this list of quirks you have for traveling. (Ja volim means I love… in Serbian.)
I definitely am like you in the fact that I do collect receipts (not all of them), stubs, and other stuff to put in my scrapbook as I travel. Plus I love finding postage stamps from other countries and coins that is no longer applicable to the current country I may be in my scrapbook as well. Maps, I do keep a few, but I prefer to find old maps of places in the local languages. And postcards as well that’s artistic.
Basically, anything artistic, I get as I travel. Including a heavy handmade copper turtle lock with antique key, also handmade to go with it from Sarajevo in Bosnia.
Another thing about me as traveling is that I LOVE to find books, especially from second hand bookstores in different languages. And some books in English to read as well.
Staci K. recently posted..New Obsession With Food
Thanks for the great comment, Staci (and for teaching me a new phrase)!
I like postage stamps and cool foreign money, too. I have an old bill from Brazil that I like to use as a bookmark. It’s really unique!
Must be our Midwestern upbringing.
I take my shoes off on the plane (always), I collect postcards and maps and every other piece of travel junk I can get my hands on (much to my poor wife’s dismay), I always pack my souvenirs in my carry-on (that just makes good logical sense), and I don’t bring books I’ve already read but I do bring the same TV shows in my ipod that I’ve already watched at least 10 times before. I don’t stick my tongue out in photos, but I do take one of myself at almost every site I visit. My facial expression in each is different and I’ve come to refer to these as ‘Idiot Photos’ after a family member called them that (I think, I can’t recall where that name came from). I wrote a blog post about this a couple months ago and it’s my second most viewed post.
My other quirks- I usually buy all my souvenirs on the last day of the trip. I read guidebooks like novels, even if I never really think I’ll get to the place. I take pictures of signs at sights to supplement my notes. I take pictures at all state and country borders (for proof I was actually there although I’ve never had anyone accuse me of lying). I always book hotels in advance, even when it would be to my benefit to be flexibile and there is no chance of all the rooms being booked. I always bring a mascot (stuffed animal) that my wife usually wins at a carnival before I leave (although I tend not to bring these on international trips). I repack my whole backpack or suitcase every time I switch hotels, and that means pulling everything out and putting it all back in (very OCD).
I’m sure there are more, but I think I’d need to be on the road to notice them all. No wonder I mostly travel alone!
Great Post!
Erik recently posted..What I Did Right & Wrong- Israel 2010
Maybe it is a Midwest thing! Who knows?
Taking photos of signs is actually a great way to supplement notes. It saves you having to write everything down. I do that from time to time, too.
And, when my sister and I road trip across the U.S. this summer, I fully intend to take photos at every state border!
I love the funny purchases. I really never have much of a chance to do stuff like that, since I’m rarely even coming home, but I may have to reconsider. Or at least start being a lot better about snapping pics of them, when I see them.
Michael Hodson recently posted..Father’s Day: What I Learned from Baseball
I at least try to snap photos of the odd souvenirs I see. So that I can laugh about them later. But, every once in a while, something is so weird and/or stupid and/or offensive that I just have to splurge on it. … I am so going to hell. Lol.
What a fun morning read! Made me think about my travel quirks! I never have a map. When I get one, I loose it in the next couple of hours (still wonder how I can loose a huge piece of paper). Often, before traveling to a place (for a longer time, not weekend only), I’ll browse for local/regional music and download it for my ipod (and then listen to it on the plane!). I try to memorize at least 10 words in the language of the place I’m visiting, too.
Katherina recently posted..My 7 Links – A Look Back
Thanks, Katherina – glad you enjoyed the post! I figured it was time for something a bit lighter and more fun on the site.
Good idea with the local/regional music! I should start doing that…
Yeha, I agree with you on the sock thing and whilst I don’t bring old books on to the plane, I have to be a little way in because, like you, what if I decide I’m bored of it? I can’t exchange it with anyone haha. I collect all my receipts and ticket stubbs too…after all, how else are you going to make that totally awesome scrapbook?! I actually can’t think of mine right now (why is it whenever you’re put on the spot you can’t think grrr) but believe me, I know I have a few =D Should be interesting when I get to Africa lol
Toni recently posted..60 days left and I have bombs not butterflies
It’s awesome to find out how many others collect random little bits and pieces here and there in order to make scrapbooks! I thought I was in the minority on that one.
Thanks for reading, Toni!
Your slipper socks are adorable! I always wear crazy socks and people look at me funny when I take my shoes off to go through security. Where do you find all those cool souvenirs? I always get those magnets that shake when you open the fridge.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Lakh Batti – 100,000 Lights
Thanks, Christy! They were a Christmas gift a few years ago, and I absolutely love them. Perfect for the plane!
And as for the funny souvenirs, I find them all over at odd shops. Many of the ones I mentioned (as well as the Last Supper lunch box) I found in kitschy stores in the Florida panhandle.
Magnets are another favorite souvenir of mine! Magnets and postcards are like my go-to souvenir no matter where I’m traveling. I love them because they’re cheap, yet practical! But they don’t take up a lot of space.
I write down every single thing I could possibly need to know about how to get to my hostel when I arrive. I may even draw a map. If there are multiple transportation options, I will write down info for all of them. I will have addresses of backup hostels as well in case the one I picked turns out to be a piece of crap or full.
I like to be prepared
The Travel Chica recently posted..Day Tripping: San Isidro
Yes, clearly you do indeed like to be prepared! Nothing wrong with that, though.
I do the same!! For my first solo trip to Lisbon I drew myself a little map of where the hostel was located, what bus I would have to take, where I would have to catch it, etc. It really does take the stress out of travel, especially if you’re on your own for the first time. There’s nothing worse than walking out of train station and not knowing which way to walk. So I plan
Audrey recently posted..Oh, Canada!
Loved reading about your travel quirks. One of my quirks is after I’ve checked into my hostel or hotel I walk around the neighbourhood several time. Then in my head I start relating everything like “oh there’s that grocery store, and that’s on 1st Ave, and just down the block is my hostel.” I don’t know, but familiarizing myself with the neighbourhood reassures me. I usually have maps with me to, but I’m not really great at reading them… I often still get lost with a map.
Alouise recently posted..Three Days in Edmonton
I don’t think that’s a quirk, Alouise – I think that’s just traveling smart! It’s always a good idea to get to know the area you’re staying in. Knowing where nearby things are always help me relax.
Keeping receipts and snippets of paper such as entry tickets and wrappings that reflect the culture are a MUST for hauling home! And definitely not quirky! They’re like old friends when you reunite with them – Taking back up where you left off as though no time has passed since you popped them in the zip lock for safe keeping.
LOVE your slipper socks
Linda ~ Journey Jottings recently posted..Kookaburra Sitting in the Old Gum Tree
I like looking back at all the things in my scrapbooks to remind me of all my adventures. The ticket stubs, receipts, brochures and little extras are always a nice added touch.
My slipper socks seem to be popular! They’re really comfy, as well as stylish.
This was a very enjoyable read. I too take my shoes off on planes and carry socks although mine are not as cute as yours. I may have to go by a pair that are cute
I also keep receipts and save booklets from my travels and museums etc. If a lot of people do the same things, does that mean we’re not quirky?
Debbie @ European Travelista recently posted..Sleeping like a King in Austria
Thanks for reading, Debbie. And yes, it seems like a lot of people share my quirks! Which makes me wonder if I really am all that quirky after all! Haha.
I also collect all my stubs, and receipts, and when I get home I make a collage of them (I don’t know how to scrapbook). And, I also buy postcards as souvenirs, just because they don’t take up space. If I was more organised, I would sit at a cafe, write down what’s going on, and post them to myself at home… with a local stamp — but I don’t.
Ian [EagerExistence] recently posted..I love the Internet
My scrapbooks are not anything fancy — mainly just collages of momentos and photos from my adventures. But they’re certainly fun to look at later.
Buying postcards as my main souvenirs was probably the smartest travel decision I’ve ever made! Lol. I also collect magnets, because those don’t take up much space, either.
I’m becoming pathologically minimalist when I travel. I no longer bring paper books (instead, an iPad filled with books & music) and no longer have paper maps. iPad/iPhone again, plus google maps, plus lonely planet guides. I have always wanted to be that person that collected paper souvenirs but I just can’t do it. I’ve tried and when I get home I’m too busy to ever organize it, and even if I wasn’t, it would just be more “stuff”.
I noticed that tongue thing browsing your web. Your photo signature, for sure
Yup, my tongue appears in a lot of photos. Lol.