GIFTS

[FLASH2D]

this is #10 on my checklist of 137 things to do before i leave for kiev. i love to give gifts. i consider myself to be pretty intuitive and imaginative when it comes to gift giving, but here i am on new ground. buying what i would like to think would be the perfect gift for someone i haven't met. so, all you lover boys out there, what kind or type of gift did you give to the lady you never met? what was it that you gave that far exceeded the response you expected? or, what was it that left you wondering, what the #@*& was i thinking? was it just nice, or flashy, of just a token? please don't say you bought her a toaster with a dc to ac converter. this can also carry over to kids. lada has a son the same age as mine. 14 yrs. i know mine likes electronic stuff like hand held electronic games. but should i stay away from items that constantly batteries? i want to be careful about customs as well. so, lets put our heads together.

[wsbill]

... in response to GIFTS, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 23, 2003

But that toaster is a pretty interesting concept, since sliced bread isn't quite the norm over there, just yet... YOU FIND OUT.. LOL.

We are talking a 3rd world country, no preservatives in the breads... Get ready to drink your fair share of bubbled water!  Just remember,,, they call it

"Vater"

[RickM]

... in response to GIFTS, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 23, 2003

Run a search on this title,
"List Of Gifts To Bring To USSR..."
in European part of search section.It has 3 parts...Hope you have a great trip.Good luck,RickM

[Dan]

... in response to GIFTS, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 23, 2003

Of suggested gifts can be found here -- http://www.scopetravel.com/travel/tips/#Suggestion List.

This is part of the website for Scope Travel out of New Jersey - a travel firm that specializes in travel to Ukraine. I used their services several times in the early days of my travel to Ukraine - before I learned how to process things myself. I always found them to be very effective and helpful, albeit a tad expensive.

I hope this helps.

- Dan

[ChrisNJ]

... in response to A Good List . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 23, 2003

nt

[Dan]

... in response to TANG??? !!!...lol...nt, posted by ChrisNJ on Apr 23, 2003

Not taken together --smile--.

Actually, peanut butter (smooth - not chunky) is not on the Scope Travel list - but I've found it to be a HUGELY popular item with children and with many adults.

The other thing the adults always enjoy is Bailey's (Irish Cream).

Just a couple of additions to the list.

FWIW

- Dan

[LP]

... in response to Yeah - and Peanut Butter . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 23, 2003

...PB is not common? Not even in Kyiv? Huh, who woulda thunk it. And why the bias against chunky?

I dunno about now but marshmellows were a big hit on one trip. Rostik was impressed with them right outta the package but when I toasted a few over the stove he took them all home. Later told me his family spent the next day toasting and eating all that remained.

Lol, I have some good (if a bit hazy) memories of that evening, too many toasted marshmellows washed down with copious amounts of vodka. In hindsight, Tang and PB doesn't sound that all that bad. ;-)

[FLASH2D]

... in response to Really?, posted by LP on Apr 23, 2003

you guys are crackin me up!!!lol,lol,lol!!! i'll be the most popular guy in the building. thank you!!!!! somebody get me a kleenex to wipe my eyes!!!!!

[Deckard]

... in response to Yeah - and Peanut Butter . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 23, 2003

Among the things I brought with me when I visited Luda and her family was a large jar of Laura Scudder's all natural peanut butter.

Luda knew I was bringing it because I had already told her I would, after finding out she had never had peanut butter before.

I brought it out after breakfast one day, and Luda and her whole family watched as I opened the jar, and labored to stir it for a couple of minutes with a knife, then deftly spread it over several pieces of bread and offered it to them.

They hesitantly took small bites, obviously having difficulty swallowing this down. I couldn't tell if they liked it or not. Their faces were almost expressionless.

I was disappointed. "Oh well...", I thought.. "At least I'll eat it when I'm hungry and there's nothing else to be had for food.".

Not quite a week later, I was hungry, and it was before our scheduled meal time. I got some bread out, and the large jar of peanut butter.

It was nearly empty! They had dispatched almost the entire jar in just a few days! They loved it!! Or at least, *someone* did!

Dan is right, peanut butter is popular there. I am told one cannot buy it there.

Peace,

-Deckard

[Pordzhik]

... in response to a peanut butter story, posted by Deckard on Apr 23, 2003

[This message has been edited by Pordzhik]

Careful what you introduce these women to, you want a 240 lb beauty, before you've finished the k1?

[FLASH2D]

... in response to a peanut butter story, posted by Deckard on Apr 23, 2003

oh, the joy of just the simple things in life. i love pb and will be taking a BIG jar with me.

[wsbill]

... in response to Re: a peanut butter story, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 23, 2003

As well...   I actually took them to munch on myself and soon found myself offering it to the girl, who quickly started chomping on them too.

Oatmeal, brought of some permint Lifesavers - He gave me a piece and my lady friend and his friend.  We all plopped it in our mouth and you really should have seen the facial expressions of the ladies, his friend spit it out and mine friend, kinda like continued to taste it like some badge of courage.  Saying it was 'ok'.  

But no doubt, their taste buds are in the expermination mode.

I wish someone would put together a list of all the Western Candies that are available.  Since their are some varieties that are already there like the wrigleys chewing & breath gums.

Though what ever you send to them, you might include a tooth brush as well.

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to Re: Take some Nacho Flavored Doretos chi..., posted by wsbill on Apr 24, 2003

Many of them need a crash course in oral hygiene ie.

1. Toothbrush
2. Mouthwash
3. Tongue Cleaner
4. Floss

That would be the most beneficial present you can bring most of them!