Souvenirs
I would love to buy exotic souvenirs from our travels abroad, but our luggage space (and frankly, budget) won't allow. We do allow ourselves a few select purchases that aren't breakable and fit in our already tight luggage.
For instance, in Barcelona, Brigid and Myles hoped to have something that celebrated Messi. We found stores that sold exclusively Barça, and in kids' sizes as well. The conventional Blue-and-Red home colors both already have, bought here in Beijing of questionable quality. We went with instead the less popular (but obviously authentic) away kit.
More after the jump
One idea Myles had, especially since we were planning to visit the Hergé Museum, was to buy one of his favorite Tintin albums in different languages. We started in Barcelona, looking in one large bookstore for Tintin specifically in Catalan. They were mixed together with the Castilian, but we at last found one. I picked it out of the batch because it was French looking to my eyes. Later, in Euskirchen, we were able to buy the same one in German. I was surprised that in Italy we couldn't find one anywhere we looked. But for now, Myles has the Black Island in three languages (soon to be four--I'll get it in Chinese now). He has already started comparing some of the translations with the English version ("Mom! Dogs bark 'Bub! Bub!' in Catalan") as well as the names of the characters.
At the Hergé Museum itself, Myles surprised us. He was less interested in getting the Black Island in French or Dutch, but one of Hergé's non-Tintin titles.
Brigid also wanted books in different languages. Fortunately for me, the Spanish and German books she requested I can read and translate. The Italian one I admit I need help with the pronunciation.
/
The silliest purchases, I think, has to be these two bath toys in Salzburg.
"Look Mom!" Myles said. "He's wearing Rubberhosen!"
For myself, I couldn't resist this one small thing. It is very me.
For instance, in Barcelona, Brigid and Myles hoped to have something that celebrated Messi. We found stores that sold exclusively Barça, and in kids' sizes as well. The conventional Blue-and-Red home colors both already have, bought here in Beijing of questionable quality. We went with instead the less popular (but obviously authentic) away kit.
More after the jump
One idea Myles had, especially since we were planning to visit the Hergé Museum, was to buy one of his favorite Tintin albums in different languages. We started in Barcelona, looking in one large bookstore for Tintin specifically in Catalan. They were mixed together with the Castilian, but we at last found one. I picked it out of the batch because it was French looking to my eyes. Later, in Euskirchen, we were able to buy the same one in German. I was surprised that in Italy we couldn't find one anywhere we looked. But for now, Myles has the Black Island in three languages (soon to be four--I'll get it in Chinese now). He has already started comparing some of the translations with the English version ("Mom! Dogs bark 'Bub! Bub!' in Catalan") as well as the names of the characters.
At the Hergé Museum itself, Myles surprised us. He was less interested in getting the Black Island in French or Dutch, but one of Hergé's non-Tintin titles.
Brigid also wanted books in different languages. Fortunately for me, the Spanish and German books she requested I can read and translate. The Italian one I admit I need help with the pronunciation.
/
The silliest purchases, I think, has to be these two bath toys in Salzburg.
"Look Mom!" Myles said. "He's wearing Rubberhosen!"
For myself, I couldn't resist this one small thing. It is very me.
Comments