I collect dirt. Dirt is the perfect memento of an unforgettable vacation. It’s free, easy to find, fits in my suitcase and lets me take a piece of the world home with me. When I’m an old lady I will look at my shelf full of soil and sand from all over the world and remember what a full life I led.
They’ll call me “Crazy Dirt Lady.”
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I’d never say that dirt can look so nice, beautiful and clean… :)
That’s a cool idea! and those are cute little jars. At least you don’t eat it. A character in the book “One Hundred Years of Solitude” ate dirt and the the walls of her house. For some reason that is who I think of when I read about dirt!
Maybe when I am old Crazy Dirt Lady I will eat some! You never know. I wonder if they all taste different…
That is so amazing. I want to do that. Where’d you get all the little jars?
The tiny bottles are from ebay. I just searched for “glass vials.”
I absolutely love that idea. I have a tiny bit of beach sand that I collected from Kauai a few years back……I think I’ll start my own collection, if you don’t mind =)
Linn – Please do! Welcome to the ranks of the Dirt Collectors. ; )
I have some quirky friends in Kenya and San Fran that would be willing to help! Let me know if you still need those for the collections.
I am heading to Kenya on Saturday and we apparently have a mutual friend. I will pick up some dirt for you and get it to you this summer. Is that okay?
Kaitlin and Christy, you guys are the BEST! I emailed you both my mailing address. : )
I love this idea, but I wonder if it’s actually legal… I know that my grandma, who compulsively travels to Ireland and is also a gardener, is only able to get back into the country with clippings and bulbs and such if she’s washed them of all soil. Spreading of blights and so forth. I desperately hope it is allowed though, because this is such a beautiful idea.
Emily – I never thought about that. I guess I’ll keep it up unless anyone gives me trouble! I think the amount of sand I collect from each place is about as much as would be stuck in my shoe treads anyway. ; )
I live in San Francisco, I could send you a bit of dirt :)
Hey Wit,
How many mls are your bottles?
Hey Chewn,
My bottles are 2 ml each!
I have collected dirt from 56 countries during trips that started in 1958. I do have Alcatraz dirt and enough to share for your little bottles (mine are larger). By the way in Boston there is a huge dirt collection open to the public.
For the dirt museum see http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/13601 for the details and location in Boston area.
Bob – I actually just received a bit of San Franciscan dirt in the mail from another reader. Thank you so much for offering though! It’s a pleasure to meet a fellow dirt collector. : ) I will have to check out that dirt museum if I’m ever in Boston!
I too have been collecting dirt for about 5 years now. i have alot of the western U.S. and quite a few other countries. It’s very fun to collect, all my friends and family get so excited when they go somewhere to bring me home some dirt. My grandmother just recently went to Ireland anf brought home some dirt and rocks from the cliffs for me. It is a great conversation starter also, i have never met anyone else who collects this type of thing. it’s nice tho to see im not the only starnge person who gets so excited about this!!! i would love to keep expanding my collection.
Robin
OH Robin, I can totally understand what you mean about getting excited over dirt. When I got my dirt from the Gettysburg battle ground I actually cried!!! I also have dirt from my Grandma and Grandpa door step… the way I figure it, every single person in my family has stepped on that spot adleast 2 times, once coming in, once going out. It is my most precious dirt that is for sure.
My mom does something similar with sand from beaches she visits. She’s a huuge beach person, and has the same thinking; she loves to take a part of her vacation home with her.
I think I’m going to borrow you’re idea and start collecting my own dirt. I love traveling, and I hope to someday be rich enough to travel the world, and what’s a better way to keep memories of your travels than dirt?
Thanks for the idea! :)
I am also a collector…my first vial was from where my sisters and I attended High School. After that it just started growing. When my sister’s granddaughter got married, I poured a some into a little box wrapped with a white ribbon. A little note read…” Keep this box and you will always have a little dirt on your Grandma”. She loved it. I say Keep Collecting!
I collect sand/dirt too! (My wife thinks I’m crazy.. and she’s probably right) I think I got the idea from Saving Private Ryan, where one of the soldiers scoops up a bit of dirt from Germany. It’s something tangible that says, “I was there and here’s the proof” :)
Anyway, I ordered a bunch of clear plastic 2oz bottles to display mine in. I’m a little scared of using glass – an earthquake or carelessness could shatter those bottles.
Happy collecting, and if any of you need Chicago dirt, let me know. ;)
Help! I would love to get my Mom some dirt from Germany (Hesse idealy)…does anyone know of people who sell dirt (leary of a scammer) from European countries? She would be so suprised to have dirt from the country her Grandmother came from. I thank you all for your help with this. Any direction would be appreciated…. :) Thanks, Kristin
Hi, I can send you a little Germany dirt. I just got some for a family friend who brought it back for me. I would live to give your Grandma a little piece of home. Let me know.
Oooops, sorry your Mom :)
YEAH FOR ME!!!! I collect dirt, not gossip, real dirt! A family friend went across the pond (hehe) and brought me back some dirt. Rome, Austria, Stone Hinge, Paris, Switzerland, Germany and Monte Carlo !!!!!!!! I’m so dang excited :) It’s like Chirstmas in July. Any of you want to send me some dirt? I can return the favor :)
preparing to teach 20 Chinese students on dirt collecting in the USA. Came across your blog. Feel free to visit mine! I’ve been collecting for numerous years. Love the wood display case you show. Enjoy!