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Charmed – Collecting Charms Around the World

The World Traveling Charm Bracelet

Location: USA

Palm Tree Charm

Palm Tree Dominican Republic

I’ve had a lot of people asking about my world traveling charm bracelet lately because it’s been a long time since I have mentioned anything about it on my blog or social media.  So I thought today I would share a bit about this fascinating and growing collection of beauty, history and culture that I wear around my wrist.

Kayak Charm

Kayak Belize

For those of you who may not know, I had the idea, just weeks before we headed out on the Grand Adventure for the first time in June 2016, to begin a travel charm bracelet.  I purchased a bracelet here in the USA and added my very first charm, an “L” for my first and last name (Laureen Lund).  Then we began our travels with our first stop in Hawaii where I added a silver sea turtle.

Three years and dozens and dozens of countries and charms later, my charming souvenir is very precious to me with 56 charms.

Collecting Charms Around the World

Christ the Redeemer Brazil

My preference is to buy a charm while in the country, but in Central America I really struggled to find any charms for sale anywhere.  I had purchased a Christ the Redeemer charm in Brazil and a lizard charm in Costa Rica and then after that the trail went cold.

I was never able to find a charm in Panama, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala or Dominican Republic.

So, before we returned to the USA I contacted my jeweler here in Gig

El Salvador Charm

Yoga symbol El Salvador

Harbor and ordered charms that for me represented those countries I had visited. I had him add the charms to my bracelet after I arrived in the USA. Also, just like last summer, he took all the new charms from my past year of travel and soldered each to the bracelet so I won’t lose any.

Collecting Charms Around the World

Lizard Costa Rica

I love this piece of jewelry that has so much meaning for me. In fact I love it so much I’ve decided to leave it here when we depart again in September.  I know I would be devastated if it were lost or stolen, so on round three of the Grand Adventure I will leave it behind, collecting the charms and adding them to the bracelet when I return.

If you struggle to think of memorable, small and meaningful souvenirs to buy when you travel, consider collecting charms around the world.  I’m so glad a did.  It’s so charming.

Thanks for your interest.  I hope to share the bracelet in person with some of you in the future.

 

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4 Comments

  • Reply Jmac

    I’m going to Belize in October. Would love to keep my eyes open for a charm for you!
    I collect ladies! My husband picked up a colorful wooden lady in Venezuela before we ever began sailing on a whim. I love her everso! So then, every time we went to a new place, I shopped for one. They are always dressed in cultural clothes for that country. Some are wooden, some are glass and some are even paper mache. They tell such a story of our travels and sit proudly on a shelf at our lake house. I love to sit in my chair and look at them for I can revisit every place in my heart!!
    Love your bracelet!

    June 15, 2019 at 7:02 am
  • Reply Laureen

    What a wonderful collection you must have full of great memories!!!

    June 15, 2019 at 8:30 am
  • Reply Tasha Danvers

    hi

    I would like to discuss hiring you to write a blog for my website. Please reach out. Thank you 🙂

    August 8, 2021 at 6:29 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      Thanks for your interest but I’m not interested at this time.

      August 9, 2021 at 6:55 am

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