What is the best way to preserve the memory of a trip for a long time? Objects stumbled upon while traveling often hold lasting value, instantly reviving trip memories whenever re-encountered at home. In particular, vintage items found around the world can make the travel experience even more special. The university students interviewed by a CBT reporter each found their own way of remembering their travels through vintage items from different parts of the world.

  There is a saying, “All that remains are photographs.” A camera is not only a tool for taking pictures but also an item that keeps memories. Jeong Ji-won (Dept. of Environmental & Biological Chemistry, 23) purchased a vintage camera during her trip to Japan.

  Since vintage cameras have largely been discontinued, it is hard to find them in Korea. Even when a desired model is available, it is often expensive. On the other hand, because there is a wide variety of vintage cameras at relatively reasonable prices in Japan, many people purchase them. In addition, Jeong explained, “When I visited Japan, I stopped by many camera shops. I was able to see the cameras in person and select one that matched the look and feel I wanted for that setting, which led me to purchase a digital camera originally released in 2011.”

  She said, “I felt that the mood created by slightly lower quality and cooler color tones was difficult to represent with the latest digital cameras. In particular, when I photographed the old alleys and scenery of Japan, the camera’s color tones blended well with the surroundings.” She also described how taking photos with a vintage camera changed the way she experienced her trip. “With a smartphone, I can take pictures of the same moment in quick succession and choose the best one later. However, my vintage camera does not have such a function. Therefore, even when taking a single picture, I tend to pay more attention to the photographic composition and think more carefully about the moment. I spend more time deciding what scene to capture and manually operating the camera before taking a photograph. As a result, I can remember the circumstances and emotions of that moment more vividly when I look back at the photos later,” she explained.

  She added, “After purchasing the camera in Japan, I have continued to bring it and use it even after returning to Korea.” The vintage camera will continue to accompany her on her travels and become an item that will help her build new memories and look back on past ones.

  Items that preserve records of the past, such as old letters or postcards, reflect the history and circumstances of another country and allow travelers to encounter a world from an unfamiliar era. Jeong Yu-jung (Dept. of Social Welfare, Chungnam National University, 22), who visited Mauerpark Flea Market in Berlin, Germany, purchased a postcard that had been sent by a soldier to his family during a past war. Jeong explained, “At the time, I did not know what the postcard said because it was written in German. I bought it as a souvenir since the picture on the back showed a famous piece of architecture in Berlin and I usually like postcards and historical records. After returning home, I used a translation application and learned that it had been sent by a soldier to his family during the war.” Jeong said, “The postcard included the soldier’s longing for his family and his daily life during the war. War was a word I had only encountered in textbooks, but seeing an actual record made me realize more deeply that it was part of a real person’s life. It left me with a heavy heart.” She also explained her experience of connecting with the person who wrote the postcard. “Although I had to use a translation application to understand its contents, as it was written in German, I could feel the sincerity in the postcard and imagine the life of and empathize with the person who wrote it. Despite the differences in language, era, and nationality, the desire to care about one’s family and share everyday life was not much different from my own life in the modern world,” she added. The old postcard will remain as a souvenir that allows her to remember the moment she discovered it, the human connection she experienced, and her memories of Berlin.

  Vintage items around the world can serve as special souvenirs that preserve the places, atmosphere, emotions, and experiences of travel. Even as memories of a trip gradually fade over time, seeing a vintage item purchased during the trip can bring those memories back to life.