I've had lots of friends and family offer to send goodies by mail, and since I can't usually think of whatever I may need off the top of my head when asked, I thought I'd create a little running list here. It's probably easier. Here are some odds and ends I've thought of that would be nice to have around, and some consumables I'm always happy to have but can't easily get my hands on in Moldova:- A BPA-free reusable water bottle (probably better for me than filling up used disposable bottles for my drinking water, and more convenient to take with me)
- Construction paper (I've been going through the pack I have pretty quickly at school)
- Glitter, wiggly eyes, pipe cleaners (crafty projects with the kids would just surely be better with these items)
- Gorilla Glue (Weird request, I know, but the sole of my best pair of teacher shoes is starting to come loose at the toe, and I imagine I'll find plenty of other uses for it in the future, too)
- JIF Peanut Butter (There's exactly one brand of peanut butter available in Moldova-- it's lousy tasting, hard to find, and super expensive. I'll never understand how a whole country just doesn't comsume peanut butter.)
- Ricola cough drops (any kind-- they're just so much better all around than the gross ones available from our medical center)
- Reese's cups, brownie mix, Hershey's Kisses, Pop-Tarts, Craisins, or kind of anything at all that especially tastes like home
The address that's best to use is:
Cassandra Mosier, PCV
Strada Grigore Ureche #12
Chisinau, Moldova 2001
If you have been using the address I provided before that began with "Corpul Pacii," mail will probably still make its way to me, but it turns out that mail that appears to be going to a company rather than an individual is what gets caught up most often in customs. Also, it seems that things direct shipped from companies, Amazon for instance, are likely to get caught there. Normally these items do eventually make their way to me, but sending things without an official label has seemed to be the most reliable approach.Please don't feel obligated, of course, to send things. There's nothing that I need that I can't get here in Moldova, and international mail is pricey. If you're just feeling like letting me know you're thinking of me, I absolutely love getting cards, letters, or photos in the mail. I hang them around my room to make myself smile, and they're a lot cheaper to ship than peanut butter.
