What we can’t live without!
My husband couldn’t understand why I was having boxes of a particular Tea shipped here from the US or why we came back in August with more suitcases than we left with in June! Then he realized I was bringing back items I either couldn’t get here in Abu Dhabi, or brands of items that I preferred from the States!! I was excited to learn recently that I am not the only one who brings back boxes of Crystal Light packets!
So I thought it would be fun to compile a list of some of the items my friends and I feel we can’t live without! My friends were quite willing to share some of their secret obsessions with me!
I had 13 friends respond to my request and the two most popular categories of items that we bring back from the States are cosmetics and antacids!! 5 of the 13 responses had these items on their list! I’m not sure what that says about us! This was followed closely by clothing. I find this interesting as we live in the land of mega malls! (Apparently there are 11 here in Abu Dhabi alone!) But for all the shopping there is here my girls still like to visit Abercrombie, Hollister, and Urban Outfitters when we are home! The next most common items to bring back are: neosporin, real vanilla extract, tea, vitamins, and yoga clothing! Looks like we do try to lead a healthy lifestyle! These items were on at least 3 people’s lists.
I was interested to read the list of items my friends bring back. Some were quite unique! Here are just a few:
hangars
life saver mints
canned cat food (72 fit into a suitcase incase you are wondering!)
bounce dryer sheets
combinations locks
pure maple syrup
salad dressing mix
Dawn dish soap
crispy seaweed chips
tapioca mix
chocolate covered pomegranates
Not only did my friends provide their list of items, many added anecdotes:
- I actually keep a running list on my phone. As I run out of things or can’t find something here, I make a note of it. Then I check things off the list as I shop in the US. I’ve been doing that for years. I’ll admit I have been known as the “stock up queen”.
- Gosh, I bring at least two suitcases of stuff back. We travel very light to the US and then restock on new clothes, shoes, etc for all of us. It just feels easier to shop in the US. We all look forward to it as part of the summer vacation.
- 8 years into expat life we are learning to do more without home comforts.
- Here’s one I can’t transport but I wish I could: Eddies Slow Churned Ice Cream.
- Being British I can get virtually everything I need and know here…..In fact when I lived in the US and Canada I brought stuff back from Scotland. It’s what you are brought up with I suppose.
Like one friend said, the longer we are here the easier it is to make adjustments and live with what we can find here. In the beginning we are thirsty for the familiarity of products we recognize. But as we feel more comfortable exploring the new stores and we make friends who share their experiences, we learn to modify our needs! As a matter of fact, when we went back to Florida this summer, I actually missed the wonderful Lebanese food here, along with being able to reserve a specific seat in the movie theater! Who would have thought!
So if you decide to come visit us please check the list above!
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