That one I can answer without too much internal debate.  My favorite souvenir wasn’t actually made in any one country.  It’s not terribly expensive, but it is priceless in my eyes.  I didn’t buy it in a small market or at an high end fashion house. And though it represents my travels through so many countries, I actually I got it right here in the US.  Yep, its my passport.  

I am writing this Ode to my Passport tonight because in the morning I’m heading over to the Los Angeles Regional Passport Agency to renew my passport. It doesn’t actually expire until August, but as many countries require a minimum of 6 months left on your passport to enter their lands and I plan to do a lot of travel in June, I wanted to get it taken care of now.  The last thing I need is to get to an airport, all excited about my trip ahead, only to find out my unexpired passport is not going to get me through customs in my destination.

And I’m a going to pay the expedite fee and process it in person rather than mail it in for renewal as is the norm.  I’ve heard way too many stories of people not getting their expired passport back.  My passport tells a story and I would hate to lose it due to an administrative error or postal system glitch.  Plus, I still have 8 good years on my Brazilian visa in my current passport which will still be valid even when I’m carrying the new one.

It will be quite strange to see my newest passport brand spanking new – no stamps, no memories, no indication that I’m an avid traveler who’s traveled to over 50 countries. But that’s OK – I’m looking forward to breaking it in and to start the long and immensely pleasurable practice of filling it up again.