The things I carried (Pt. 2)

Literally just rocks

Rocking My Own World

I have loved collecting rocks (and shells, but that is off-topic today so please do not expect any shell content) since I was a kid, and they persist as one of my favorite souvenir types because they are 1) cool, 2) one of a kind, 3) usually small, and 4) free!

As we all know, I was pretty meticulous about maximizing my minimal luggage capacity throughout last year’s travels. So, it was no less than a triumph that I still managed to make room for some rocks that I apparently just had to have. While none of these rocks are all that large (I’ll share a photo of an exceptional beauty that even I considered too big to take home), rocks are famously dense, so it was always a win when my stone-stuffed suitcase managed to weigh in at just under the airlines’ weight restrictions (which is 50 lbs, or approximately 3.5 stone).

Without further ado, here are the rocks I felt compelled to smuggle back with me. (I sincerely hope I haven’t caused any unforeseen ecological damage in the process!)

Meet The Rocks

Cheeseburger Rock - Praia da Arrifana, Portugal; 205 grams

While this was by far my heaviest and biggest rock, it was too perfect to pass up. I mean, it resembles a cheeseburger in every way, and just look at that terrazzo!

Masculinity, if it were a rock - Los Portales, Spain; 118 grams

Why is it almost a perfect cube? How did it get so many right angles?! And why is it so much heavier than it looks? If any of my rocks are horcruxes, it's this one.

Femininity, if it were a rock - Los Portales, Spain; 55 grams

I found Femininity Rock on the same hike as Masculinity Rock. While the previous rock is dark, geometric, heavy, and imposing, this one is light, round, bright, and eerily reminiscent of our sweet lady moon. I want them both on top of my wedding cake one day.

Three Sisters - Los Portales, Spain; 55 grams

This started out as one rock. When I picked it up, I noticed its veins and wondered if those were calls to action. I then spent the next few minutes throwing this rock against a larger rock until it split apart into almost perfect thirds—or rather, triplets!

Jelly bean pebbles (14) - Ericeira, Portugal; 11 grams

Yum!

Rusty pink quartz from my Natural Building Course - Lazuz, Portugal; 65 grams

Partially buried in the clay of Alentejo, this rock peered up and caught my eye every time I hurriedly walked to the outdoor shower after a long day of being covered in mud and sweat. On the last day of our course, I finally remembered to bend down and inspect it, and decided to keep it. I like to think it's charged with the full moon magic we cast during that witchy week of women empowerment.

Quartz point from my PDC - A Quinta da Lage, Portugal; 38 grams

I didn’t even intend to take this one home. I found it and put it on subtle display in the common area, thinking someone else might want it. But days went by and nobody seemed to notice it, so I decided to keep her as a totem of those transformative two weeks.

The one that got away - Praia da Arrifana, Portugal; weight unknown

You know what they say: The next best thing to a rock is a photo of a rock!

Rock on, y’all

Do you have a favorite rock? Tell me about it in the comments! Or am I the only rock maniac here?