A Wanderer's Tale of Collecting Soulful Souvenirs

A Wanderer's Tale of Collecting Soulful Souvenirs

A Wanderer's Tale of Collecting Soulful Souvenirs

The early morning sun casted a golden glow over Mumbai's bustling streets as I stepped into The Bombay Store outlet at P.M Road, Fort. This was my last shop-stop before heading back home to London. After three weeks of intense travelling through India's diverse landscapes, I really wanted to carry back memories of this magnificent country  - not just in my soul, but in my luggage bags too!

First off, my eyes immediately stopped at the colourful Aamchi Mumbai Gateway of India Fridge Magnet. The detailed illustration perfectly captured Mumbai's collective spirit - the majestic arch of the gateway standing proudly in the background while a crowd of people thronged in front of it. This magnet could be a daily reminder of all my early morning walks that were taken by the glistening Arabian Sea, as I watched the city wake up to its tiny fishing boats and street tea vendors.

As I wandered deeper into the store, a collection of vintage Indian coins caught my attention. Eleven carefully chosen pieces of history, each carrying its own story etched on worn out metal. I couldn't help but imagine the numerous hands these coins must have passed through. The tales they could tell if they could only speak! For someone who loves history, these coins were time capsules.

My travel journal was already bursting with stories, and I needed space to write so much more. That's when I found it - a diary cut like a beautiful elephant, its vibrant cover adorned with intricate cloth patchwork. It surely brought back memories of a serene dawn that I experienced in Ranthambore, watching wild elephants emerge from the morning mist. This diary would hold my future adventures most suitably!

Then I found one of the most beautiful flower-pressed handmade cards set. Each of these cards were a delicate work of art, pressing natural beauty between paper folds. I picked several as my friends back home would surely appreciate receiving their Indian gifts and mementos with little notes on these beautiful pieces of craftsmanship.

A glint of gold caught my attention! I came across a set of 4 gold-painted elephant keychains, artistically painted with traditional designs. It would be perfect to gift my friends! Nearby, I saw a collection of 100 different vintage Indian stamps which told stories of communication across centuries, each tiny stamp opening a window into India's rich postal history.

For my bookworm sister, I found a brass bookmark featuring the elegant Taj Mahal. She would appreciate both its artistry and functionality, marking pages probably also dreaming of moonlit nights and eternal love stories! The compact India ceramic shot glass describing India’s diverse spirit would make a great addition to my father's growing collection!

This smiling Hanumanji bobble head could be a dashboard companion for my brother's new car! The beloved Indian deity's presence would add both protection and personality to his daily commutes. My final discovery was perhaps the most unique of all - a pencil made from neem wood, topped with a colourful Rajasthani puppet. My young niece would absolutely love this eco-friendly writing instrument with its whimsical top!

As I approached the check-out counter with all of my treasures, I realised I wasn't just buying souvenirs - I was collecting stories of India to carry back with me. Each of these represented a fragment of India's soul - its history, authentic craftsmanship, spirituality, and dynamic artistic heritage. Thy weren't just going to be objects that would gather dust on shelves; they were going to be bridges connecting two different worlds, helping me share my Indian adventures with all of my loved ones. The Bombay Store had given me just what I was exactly seeking. As I stepped right out into Mumbai's streets one last time, my bag was tad heavier, but my heart was full of joy!

Find these and so much more at any of The Bombay Store outlets across India or on the brimming online store as well!

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