While wanting to do good is nice, there's a tendency to simplify the needs of local communities and create convenient, short-lived volunteer opportunities that are emotionally rewarding for "traveling narcissists". Voluntourism becomes a commodity for-profit, no different than chintzy souvenirs at a gift shop.
This year's event, Soryo Embu, runs through September 2nd.There are sixty different festival-themed souvenirs (yes, 60!), food, drink, sweets and, of course, a big show starring Mickey Mouse.
"There's so much emphasis on Disneyland merchandise it's just phenomenal". Among the dozen different 30th anniversary souvenirs are T-shirts, sweat shirts, visors, bumper stickers, buttons, tumblers, pennants, key chains, a watch and a commemorative coin.
Collecting Coke souvenirs is different from collecting china frogs.
"To them it's no different than getting a souvenir".
These days, there's a different kind of free souvenir to be had.
Mr. Platt and Mr. Marie were not afraid to be different: in the 1894 souvenir program of the Yale-Princeton football game they advertised Flemish and colonial-style row houses for sale.
A different type of centennial souvenir, a commemorative glass, is part of the birthday celebration planned at Franklin, the lobby bar inside Delano Las Vegas.
As with eating, there are a few different ways to manage souvenir shopping depending on your needs.
