In comparison to Rachel who received a package in the mail which looked like a parcel bomb (don’t worry, she wore oven gloves to open it – a career in UXB disposal surely beckons), I received a normal looking package in the mail today. Now, it had cost three times as much to post as the actual monetary worth of the contents. However, expats will know the feelings that surged through my little mind when I saw it contained the magic that is “food from home, not available here. Anywhere. Not even in that horrendously expensive shop that sells all the weird kinds of cheese” - six oatcakes. And not the dry, biscuity Scottish ones (I have a pack of them already, they sell them in Edeka), but proper North Staffordshire / Cheshire / Derbyshire oatcakes. The size of pancakes and soft, perfect to grill, then wrap around bacon and cheese. Bacon, Cheese and Oatcakes. Simple, and delish.
Song playing as this was published: Luscious Jackson - “Sexy Hypnotist”
I remember those days, I couldn’t wait to tear into the package to find what little bits of home they sent.
820: It was “just” six oatcakes and a magazine clipping, but I’m so going to enjoy them…..
Having survived two years of Swabia (no proper Currywurst!), I don’t really miss any German food yet. Perhaps not that surprising when you consider that for the last year in Tübingen, I spent an awful lot of money buying PG tips and spices from the Indian shops and biscuits from the British shop…
I’ve been noticing that the cost of my parents sending me red cross parcels has been escalating. As you say, quite often the cost of postage is more than the value of the contents…….Rip off Britain strikes again
Care packages, the perfect way to say, “Don’t come back, I’ll send what you need”
“Oh, right.Thanks,…I think.”
Is it just me, or have you re-designed the site again? ‘Though you kept the moon I see.
Stefan: So you haven’t gone through the “I need German bread” phase yet then?
Haddock: Cost of contents one pound (plus lots of thoughtfulness). Cost of stamp 2.79!
Devonboy: Not true. Just last week my parents informed me they were going on holiday and I could visit whilst they were gone. S
Site redesign - the photos at the top cycle randomly every two hours.
When I was in the States and staying away at Christmas my Mum used to send me care packages with bachelors pasta and sauce, heinz tomato soup, rowntrees fruit gums, dairy milk etc.
What is it about living abroad that makes us miss junk food from home? Why didn’t I hunger after, say, blackcurant juice or gooseberry and elderflower pie? Or lamb (Americans seem not to eat sheep…)?
Would you rather I’d just opened the package with no protection whatsoever? Are you insane?
You’d get more friendly stuff in the post if more people knew your street address.
Stairs: I’d get more parcel bombs too!