So many of you have sent me lovely little goodie packages from the States, and THANK YOU! Many others have contacted me or my daughter, wanting to join in. I am touched by the gestures, so below is an updated list (UPDATES IN CAPS) of needs (some wants) for life in Botswana.
It is such a treat to get boxes from home. The post office people always want to know what was in them. A man in my office came in the other day and hungrily fingered my Excel book (which I use a LOT), and I told him he could consult it at any time. But he can't have it until I go home!
1. Paperback books. We in the Peace Corps trade them, reread them, and hug them to our chests. STILL A GOOD IDEA. I READ A LOT HERE, AND HAVING BOOKS I HAVEN'T READ ON THE SHELF IS LIKE HAVING MONEY IN THE BANK.
2. Puzzles, games, crosswords, logic problems, and the like. No television in Peace Corps digs. YES INDEED, THESE TOO. I HAVE SOME CROSSWORD BOOKS LEFT TO ME BY A PREVIOUS VOLUNTEER, BUT I AM ALMOST TO THE END OF THEM.
3. Needlepoint, knitting, or crochet projects. I like crafts. Knitting needles were a casualty of my weight restrictions in luggage. MY NEIGHBOR VALERIE SENT ME SOME NEEDLES AND SOME YARN. BUT I'M HAPPY TO GET MORE!
4. DVD movies. I do have my laptop, and brought some with me, but they will only repeat so many times. STILL NEEDED. I HAVE RECEIVED SOME, BUT ALWAYS ENJOY THEM. ALSO ENJOY LOOKING AT AMERICAN SCENES, AND KNOWING I WON'T ALWAYS BE LIVING IN BOTS.
5. Electrical assistance. This country has 240 DC current. My American appliances ask for 110 AC. My single converter (as opposed to an adaptor, which simply makes the plugs fit), is doing very heavy duty. If it gives up the ghost, I have a problem. A COMPANY CALLED WALK ABOUT TRAVEL HAS SOME OF THESE ON THE WEB THAT LOOK LIKE THEY WOULD DO THE TRICK. MY CURRENT ADAPTER IS STILL HOLDING OUT, BUT I USE IT EVERY DAY, OFTEN FOR HOURS. IF THEY OFFER THE SOUTH AFRICAN PLUGS, INCLUDE THEM, PLEASE.
6. Packets of spices. Mexican, Italian, Greek/Mediterranean, American comfort food helpers. You can go to a store that sells them In bulk and buy a baggieful, or just a small can. A CAN OF BASIL WOULD BE WONDERFUL. OTHERWISE I SEEM TO BE FINDING STUFF HERE. I BROGHT A BUNCH, AND MY COOKING IS GEETING MUCH MORE SIMPLE.
7. Seasoned rice vinegar. I FOUND SOME HERE, BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME. BUT NOT A VITAL INGREDIENT.
8. Regular old Folger's coffee - coarse ground if you can find it. I brought a small French press, but have yet to find a Bots coffee I like. OH, COFFEE. THE KIDS HERE LIKE TO GET STARBUCKS BUT I STILL LIKE PLAIN FOLGERS. I AM DRINKING TEA THESE DAYS A LOT.
9. A non electric knife sharpener. STILL NEED THIS.
10. A bag of real black beans. VALERIE JUST SENT ME ONE OF THESE. I CAN'T WAIT TO MAKE SOUP! IT'S A FAIRLY GOOD SIZE BAG, SO SHOULD LAST A GOOD WHILE.
11. Real molasses. There is none to be found in Bots. I FOUND SOME OF THIS IN NAMIBIA. IT SHOULD LAST UNTIL I COME HOME.
12. Jelly/jam, especially raspberry or peach flavor. MORE, PLEASE! I'M ON THE LAST JAR THAT KARIN SENT NOW.
13. Toiletries - for me, the one I don't want to run out of is stuff to make my hair behave. I love the Alterna product called Hemp Styling and Nutritive creme gel. I also would appreciate really good skin moisturizers it is incredibly dry here. ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE--ESPECIALLY IN THE DRY, HOT SUMMER WEATHER.
14. A star chart for the southern hemisphere. You would not believe the night sky here.
WOULD STILL LIKE TO HAVE. I RECOGNIZE THE SOUTHERN CROSS, THE BELT OF ORIAN (IN JUNE AND JULY) BUT THE OTHERS ARE ALL STRANGE.
15. Tools. An adjustable wrench, a small hammer, a small flashlight with a couple of sets of batteries. I did bring my Leatherman, but it can't do everything. YUP, STILL NEED. I AM GETTING QUITE INVENTIVE, BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A GOOD TOOL.
16. A Sunday paper. VALERIE SENT ME A FEW SECTIONS OF THE DENVER PAPER. I ALWAYS LIKE TO READ AMERICAN NEWS.
17. Yoga pants, or anything made out of stretchy jersey for comfy evenings and weekends. MOLLA SENT SOME OF THESE. I THINK I'M OK HERE.
18. AA and AAA batteries - rechargeable if possible. I have a charger, but they deplete quickly. SPENT 50 PULA ON THE WEEKEND FOR SOME NON-RECHARGEABLE ONES, BECAUSE I USE THEM IN MY FLASHLIGHT, MY TOOTHBRUSH, AND OTHER MISCELLANY.
19. If you want to get really exotic (and again I repeat no need to feel an obligation), one of those golf umbrellas with flaps that give way in the wind. Umbrellas are the sun shade of choice during hot
weather, and it can also be windy. At times I have felt like Mary poppins, about to fly away clinging to my umbrella. I HAVE AN UMBRELLA HERE, BUT IT STILL TAKES ME AWAY IN THE WIND. BUT THESE ARE PROBABLY EXPENSIVE.
20. News from home - Political gossip, major happenings, current fads, anything that you think someone would find interesting. ALWAYS GOOD.
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