Memories are the
New Souvenirs
by Priti Rao
If Aristotle were around, he’d agree that a good life is about experiences, not things. Experiences help us tell rich stories. They are fleeting, therefore more enjoyable. But how does one have experiences that are unique, that stir feelings long after we’ve had them? Below are three things I learnt from Fiona Caulfield, the author of Love Travel guides on finding irresistible places that offer unique memories.
1. There’s no place like here.
The first thing to notice in a place is — could this be anywhere else? You might be in Jakarta, but does it feel like you’re still in Texas? If yes, leave. A good place will never parody. It grounds you in the city you’re in, using texture, tone and experience to make you feel part of your immediate landscape. A place that recently gave me this instant sense of place was Casa Camper in Berlin. The hotel’s stark grey and red interiors were reminiscent of a Berliner bunker. The map on the wall showed nearby places worth exploring, while clear glass windows offered uninterrupted views of the Berlin skyline. There was no mistaking I was in the German capital surrounded by the wall that once divided it.
Ask yourself: Does this place reflect the city I am in?
2. Small place. Big point of view.
Small place doesn’t mean small personality. Having a point of view and showing it in everything you do shows why you matter. One such place is Kajitsu in downtown Manhattan. This serene food spa is rooted in the monastic traditions of Japan. The chef creates a fixed menu inspired by the seasons. Each course comes with a delicious sake pairing and rich explanations of the delicately flavored dishes. Before each meal, the server brings out a basket of fresh ingredients that warm your eyes and fire up the juices. Seating is unidirectional, and cellphones discouraged to allow you to be one with your food. Everything about Kajitsu is austere, spiritual, and a celebration of being alive.
Ask yourself: What is the unique POV of this place?
3. They’re old loves for a reason.
Whether a place is $ or $$$ doesn’t matter. What matters is if it makes you fall in love each time. Not just with itself, but with the city. Take Mumbai. The thing I miss the most, the thing that’s hard to replace is it’s vibrant street food. My favorite is Sanjay sandwichwala in Kalaghoda. His tiny 6x2 stall boasts of over 30 types of sandwiches — from the standard ‘plain veg’ to the hybrid ‘chinese chowmein masala’. My favorite? The coal fired veg cheese toast with a smattering of chutney, costing less than a dollar. That is easily my lunch most days when I am in Mumbai. The taste of crispy toast with melting butter, watching Sanjay’s masterful assembly, and being watched by passersby is a thrill. Nothing has changed since I started going there almost 10 years ago, except my growing love for it.
Ask yourself: Am I in love with the city when I am here?
Edits and encouragements: Bex, Jenn, Tracy, Shoshana and Ashley
Photo credits: Casa Camper and Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi
