MADAME XHALES AT GLOBAL SHOPPING SITES

TRAVEL

MADAME XHALES AT GLOBAL SHOPPING SITES

BY REGINA LYNCH-HUDSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTLAND BIVENS III

Kimono Fittings Kyoto, Japan Rug Choices Kusadasi, Turkey Silver tea kettles Fez, Morocco

When globe-trekkers think of souvenirs, the mind races to a compilation of impulse buys like t-shirts, keychains, refrigerator magnets, and coffee mugs. As a cultural curator who scouts for exhibition-and-heirloom-worthy finds around the world, I’m proud to proclaim that no touristy trinkets make their way into the trunk-size suitcase I reserve for mementos.

With a focus on authenticity, I meticulously vet pieces handcrafted by indigenous artisans. My co-adventurer/hubby has endured exhaustive shopping expeditions during my hunt for treasure to haul back to the States—from tribal jewelry and carvings in Morocco to vintage kimonos in Japan and carpets handwoven in Turkey. He’s been known to act as co-conspirator in efforts to discreetly smuggle a heavy Shona sculpture that exceeded luggage weight limits in commuter airports throughout South Africa. On your next journey, may you be inspired to keep your eyes peeled for unique creations that capture local culture.

Located in the heart of Paris, the Musée de l’Armée, national military museum of France, is home to one of the largest military history collections in the world—not a site where one would expect a girl to catch shopping fever. An hour into an exhibit, I concluded that when you’ve seen one knight, you’ve seen them all. But then I spied a French Empress Dragoon Helmet worn at the Battle of Waterloo circa 1806—a relic festooned in fabulous leopard skin with a horsehair plume and tail! I begged, I groveled, I prayed to the souvenir gods—and had to practically be pried away from the head-turning antiquity. Imagine my surprise when hubby secretly purchased a museum-quality reproduction of the helmet from a military antique shop!

Morocco is world-renowned as a global supplier of exquisite silver teapots, colorful ceramics, and stonework, particularly fossilized limestone. Whilst shopping for home decor oddities, the hub-nerd was distracted by a pricey extinct trilobite, an ancient museum-quality marine arthropod derived from the sea. (Some things you learn to love when you wed a researcher science-type!) The hub-nerd tolerates my affinity for antiquities and objets d’art, and I accept his penchant for antique swords, gory military memorabilia . . . and grotesque collectibles. Trust, I’m the one who ultimately decides whether a petrified insect is accompanying us back to America or not. Salesmen don’t get it, do they? Statistics show that women make most decor purchase decisions.

The most colossal windfall fell into my hands in Cambodia. Just imagine: I’m getting acclimated at my five-star resort, barely through the enchanting doors, and I fall madly in love with two ginormous oil paintings (13-footer and 10-footer) commanding the walls. Then I discover that the artist is the world-renowned Bangkok-based hotel designer and philanthropist, Bill Bensley, owner/architect of the resort and architect for over 200 luxury resorts, spas, and palaces in more than 30 countries!

Moments later, I’m meeting the larger-thanlife Bill Bensley and impulsively giving a donation so his foundation can provide classes and transportation for two poverty-stricken youths in Cambodia. Then, in gratitude, Bill gives me the two paintings

Buddha Scouting Siem Reap, Camdodia

right off the hotel walls! By this time, you could have mopped me up off the floor! Bill signed the paintings: “To Regina, here’s to living the life given but never imagined.”

And that sums up my incredibly blessed life—always magnetically drawn into sublimely magical situations that you’d never believe . . . had it not all been caught on film.

Painting aquisition from Hotel Walls Siem Reap, Cambodia

Veteran publicist and luxury lifestyle experience-aholic, Regina Lynch-Hudson, pens MadameXhales, slated towards the vintage of woman that according to studies: enjoys more time to travel, indulges in longer trips, and selects more extravagant travel accommodations. The exacting taste of MadameXhales finds her exploring destinations, cruises, resorts, spas, and extracurricular activities—where like-minded Xhalers have experienced inner-exhilaration! © Contact MadameXhales: thewritepublicist@earthlink.net

BRING THE FAMILY. MOTHER NATURE’S ALREADY HERE.

Come explore the trails, exhibits and natural beauty of the Tallahassee Museum. From our new aviary to our boardwalk nature trail, you’ll find plenty to enjoy with your family as you welcome the newest members of ours.

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