Anyone who travels the world likes to find unique keepsakes to help document their journeys. And yet, it takes a practiced eye to differentiate between the kitschy (miniature Eiffel Towers!) and the truly unique items that preserve special memories.

I’m not saying I’ve never succumbed to the mundane, but over the years I have found some items that I think are really cool!

Start with Egypt. The ancient Egyptians wrote on the pith of the papyrus plant by cutting strips, soaking them in water, laying the strips in a crosshatch pattern, then pressing the resulting matrix under extreme pressure for about a week to fuse everything together. The resulting paper-like surface could be written on in hieroglyphics, the picture-like symbols Egyptians used to communicate in that era.

While touring Egypt in April 2002, I chanced upon a shop that could copy names in hieroglyphics. Taking full advantage, I can now show you how the ancient Egyptians spelled “Bob,” and on papyrus even. Interesting, but I still prefer English.

Next, I was playing tourist in Athens, Greece for the 2012 Athens Classic Marathon. Our guide took us to the Plaka, the old, historic neighborhood with many quaint shops. There I saw a woman standing on the sidewalk just outside the train station with a small table and a sign “Your Name in Greek.” She could bend silver wire into Greek letters to spell your name for either a necklace or bracelet. I found her on our first shopping foray and had her make several necklaces for my closest friends. Then, realizing their uniqueness, on a return visit just before our departure, I had her make a dozen more, as did several other members of our entourage. Ironically, because I don’t like bracelets and I thought a necklace would be too feminine, I got them for everyone I could think of except myself.

Our visit did coincide with some serious economic troubles in Greece, and I know she was grateful for our business. She was a really trooper, standing bending wire for two hours, including through a rain shower, without missing a beat. We actually delayed our departure so she could fulfill everyone’s requests. When she finished, she kissed me on both cheeks and posed for the picture. Our guide said we gave her a week’s worth of business in one afternoon.

By the way, the letters in the middle of the photo is how the Greeks spell “Bob.” Their alphabet doesn’t have a B sound, so two letters need to be combined. But what about the second Greek letter Beta? Our guide actually pronounced it “Vada” and I was assured the two-letter combination is correct. Go figure.

Finally, an example from my latest adventure, my return to Bhutan. That nation offers a very unique souvenir, a legal postage stamp with a picture of your choice. For only $7, at a stand in the airport (among other places), I emailed a picture to the specific address and was rewarded with 12 stamps. And they’re legitimate — I could’ve mailed postcards from Bhutan with these stamps if I’d had complete addresses. I actually had two sets made — one to put on postcards and give as souvenirs, and a second set to frame and keep for myself.

I know this is the only time I’ll see my likeness on a stamp; in this country, only the deceased are so honored.

Happy travels!