No gimmciks, no knick knacks, no ponchos . Not a guide book for the next destination, not even a high tech buzzing item to show off at the next hostel. I’m not even talking about some useful words of wisdom. No, the best gift I have ever received was a scarf. A huge blue, green pashmina scarf/shawl with little tassles and a lot of love all the way from the middle east (Turkey perhaps?)
I have been the lucky owner of this beautiful gift for almost four years now. A generous gift from James’ father, when we celebrated our first Christmas together. The man barely knew me, except that like both of his boys I liked to travel and drink tea. At this point James and I hadn’t been dating for very long and I was in the process of recovering from emergency surgery and a post-surgery infection. There I was in my track suit pants, over sized jumper, no mascara and a cup of tea. Looking and feeling just awful in layers of black. The blue and green hues seemingly soothed my self-pity wounds and reminded me that there are more important things in life.
This small parcel handed over the family kitchen table has traveled the world with me and will continue to do so for many years to come. Every road trip, camping adventure and international trip will see this scarf 0n the road with us.
Why is this such a great gift? Other than my emotional attachment to an act of kindness during a period of self pity? The scarf has had many uses, such as scarf, blanket, pillow, shawl, privacy screen.
Light weight, easy to wash and mildly stylish at times. What’s not to love?
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- Waterfall fun, Scotland.
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- Easter trip- Lake Tyres, Victoria.
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- Let’s stop and think for a minute
So when the time comes to buy a gift for your adventurer or traveler take a moment to think- What use is this? How many uses can I think of? How will this item travel in a backpack or a hostel? And finally will this gift ever join the traveler?
What’s the best travel gift that you have received?
