rss feedOn the road, small items = good souvenirs
I realized again that during my traveling days, I kept an eye out for small keepsakes.
They’re lightweight and easy to slip into a backpack or other type of bag. At times, I would come home with larger souvenirs, such as a dragon kite from China.
But small items are ideal because they wouldn’t get crushed when I tossed my bag into a car, bus or train.
I’d also lug around a 35 mm Konica camera to help me remember the sights on the road. Yes, I toted numerous plastic cans worth of film.
The interesting note about the Santa Cruz logos in this post is that I actually earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
But I never really opted for the skating and surfing life that so many people in Santa Cruz enjoy – and I mean as often as they can.
On one day, though, at some skate shop, I picked up these two logo stickers – and about a decade after buying them, I located them in, yes, a box.
When I was in middle school, surfing and skateboard clothing became the true fashion statement for trend-conscious young people.
I know using logic isn’t always the best thing – and people sometimes skip using logic – but here’s one twist to that clothing trend that included the yellow-and-red Santa Cruz logo showing up on long-sleeved shirts and stickers.
Yes, there were checkered slip-on shoes made by Vans.
My classmates and I lived in a valley – one that once had numerous cherry trees dotting the land. Later, that area became known as the Silicon Valley.
In fact, for two years, I went to the high school that Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak attended.
Mr. Fulcher and Mr. Crump, who taught World Civilization, told us, the students, that the two were so smart even back then that they (or at least one of them) once managed to turn on the automatic sprinklers in the grass field during some type of outdoor event.
Anyway, the distance from my middle school to Santa Cruz and a gateway to the Pacific Ocean was about an hour by car (Remember: In California, distances are often given not in miles but in the time it takes in a car).
I suppose Sean Penn was an influential figure, in an unexpected way, even back then.
And when in Santa Cruz, dine at Tacos Morenos – small, fun, tasty, real, family owned.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to drive on Route 66 after I finished a travel writing assignment in the Mid-Atlantic region years ago.
Yes, it’s the road that Depeche Mode made famous in the song, at least for my generation.
In terms of history, and people’s fascination with Route 66, my classmate at Santa Cruz (the university), Mike, wrote his senior thesis about the road.
As I recall, he took time to travel Route 66 and talk with longtime residents about what they remembered about its importance. Then, he blended their stories in with America’s love of car culture.
Keep in mind that Mike grew up in Southern California – and he loved riding his bicycle wherever he could.
And while I was researching and writing about the Mid-Atlantic states for that travel writing gig, I stopped off at the country’s first pretzel shop which was founded in 1861 - the Sturgis Pretzel Bakery in Pennsylvania.
Good times. Really.
It’s history that you most likely never would have thought about unless you picked up a travel book or physically walked inside the bakery.
And I bought – and saved – a key chain.
Pretzels apparently have a great history in the world, according to the bakery’s Web site.
The bakery has noted that many thought the pretzel symbolized prosperity, good luck and a wholesome life.
Three other historic notes or observations from the company.
One:
During The Battle of 1510 in Vienna, the Turks tunneled under Vienna’s city walls. Pretzel bakers were busy at work and detected the invasion. They gathered make-shift weapons and roused the city to defend itself. In return for shielding all of Europe, the Austrian Emperor honored the pretzel bakers with a coat of arms.
Two:
It’s speculated that the term ‘Tying the Knot’ originated in Switzerland in 1614 when royal couples wished for happiness with a pretzel forming the nuptial knot.
Three:
The Palantine Germans, later known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, brought pretzels to America in 1710. German children wore the pretzels around their necks on New Year’s for good luck.
And I thought tofu had a fascinating history.
Yes, traveling the road has given me many memories that fortunately have stayed with me all these years.
For that, I’m grateful.
When you’re on the road, keep an eye out for the small.
