My name is Jen, and I'm addicted to artesanias, which is the Spanish term for "locally-made handicrafts."
When I travel, I have no problem walking right past kitschy T-shirt-and-keychain souvenir stands selling snow globes and goofy pens, but I cave when it comes to beautifully painted ceramic pots, plates or canvases.
I can't withstand the pull of a Mayan calendar made from beautiful bits of wood or a polished jar with the most beautiful swirls of natural wood grain.
I know I don't need a leather purse or the funky jewelry made by the woman at the street stand in Buenos Aires. But I have a hard time stopping to appreciate and admire someone's handiwork and then not following through on my comments by purchasing. Somehow, I feel obligated.
Strangely enough, I don't feel buyer's remorse or guilt at these purchases, even as it becomes more difficult to find a place for them in my house. (I don't like clutter.)
Instead, I feel proud for supporting the local artists wherever I'm visiting.
Does anyone else have this problem? What is your weakness when traveling?
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