k

One of my best friends will soon be moving to Moscow for at least a year, and I'm trying to decide on a going-away present... along the lines of something she's used to having in the states that she won't find in Moscow. Having never been to Russia, or anywhere close, I have no idea what that something might be. <BR> <BR>Would greatly appreciate any suggestions from those of you familiar w/ Moscow! Some info about my friend... she's mid-twenties, first time in Russia, journalist, Chicago native living in DC past 5 years, vegetarian. intellectual, etc. etc. Thanks in advance for any help!!!

Rich

<BR> <BR>There is not much that she will not be able to find in Moscow. One thing I did not have at first was a small, point & shoot camera. I cannot recall how many times I saw something that I wish I had a camera. After I was there a while, I bought an Olympus Stylus 28-80 zoom and just kept it in the car so I had it when I was out and about. Got some incredible photos that I would not have otherwise. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps . . Rich

Marc David Miller

You can take a look at <BR> <BR>www.expat.ru <BR> <BR>and read some of their message boards for desirable Western items. No joke: perhaps a year's supply of her favorite soap, or other cosmetics (yes many are available, for a price, in Moscow and Petersburg, but try finding a specific item--it can be difficult!).

K

Thanks to you both for the helpful suggestions! If anyone else has tips, I'd love to hear them.

pat

a vegetarian in Moscow may have a tough time, particularly in the winter as vegetables can be scarce. A good pair of waterproof and warm boots is essential. For the most part, she will find everything there at western stores, but it will cost her big $$$$'s.

Tom

A friend of mine left last year for China and his favorite going away gifts seemed to be books and cds, since English versions of these items will be expensive in a foreign country. <BR> <BR>The nicest thing that you can do for your friend is making sure that you have cards arriving in her mailbox every week for the first few months. She's going to feel disorriented and lonely at first and it will make her day to find something in her mailbox. <BR> <BR>

Marc David Miller

On another thought I think that an orientation to living in Moscow might be a wonderful gift (although it doesn't qualify as "something she's used to having in the states that she won't find in Moscow"). Patriashy Dom has such an adventure: <BR> <BR>http://russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com/ <BR> <BR>

ohoh

1)A jar of peanut butter. 2)Go to the cosmetics counter in a department store and purchase something (moisturiser is usually good) so you get the free assortment of miniature goodies Este Lauder, or Elizabeth Arden, or Clinique or whoever is giving away with purchase. 3) Packets of flower seeds. Window gardens are "big" in Moscow, and she can either use them as gifts to locals she may meet or plant them next Spring for some familiar color.

YS

I would not go as far as taking peanut butter - if she can't live without it, she can get it there. I would not think of any electronic devices (you can get there anything you want nowdays) or items of clothes (even more fasonable there). <BR>Maybe one of those pocket-size universal tools that has a all kinds of things (screwdriver, corkscrew, etc.) build in it. Something things need a little "adjustment" in Russia, and it could come in handy.

K

Thank you all so much - these are terrific suggestions!! And if there are more out there, keep em coming.

wendy

I WISH I'd had some sort of 'food' items when I left for Russia for a month long trip...my family sent lots of care packages with cans of tuna fish, crackers, jars of peanut butter, beef jerky, chocolate, etc... unfortunately they arrived AFTER I left! <BR> <BR>When I left, I would have thought it a strange farewell gift, but once I got there, I saw how scarce vegetables and fruit were. I must have hit the local American chain steak house a couple of times a week, then when I left for Siberia, I not only LONGED for some 'handy' pre-packaged food items, I longed for feminine soaps, bath salts, make-up, stationary, a good writing pen etc...the things I took for granted every day! <BR> <BR>Some of those things can be found there...but maybe not? <BR> <BR>You are so thoughful to put so much research into the going away gift, I'm certain whatever you give will be more than appreciated! <BR> <BR>Good luck to you AND to your friend! <BR> <BR>Wendy

shelly

<BR>I lived in Russia in 1993 and visited again last month. Your friend will be able to find anything she needs there, which wasn't the case a few years back. This is good news, even though it means you will have to work harder to find the perfect gift! Some suggestions that she'll really grow to appreciate: <BR> <BR>A very, very strong umbrella <BR>A nice raincoat <BR>Slippers to wear indoors <BR>A beautiful journal <BR>A guidebook (fodor's is good) <BR> <BR>If she can receive mail through some sort of pouch service, via her work or a friend who can recieve mail this way from the US, 1 or 2 magazine subscriptions might be just the thing for those cold, long winter nights (that start in about 6 weeks!). Finally, CDs of favorite music are always comforting to have around. <BR> <BR>Shel

K

Again, thanks to you all - I continue to be amazed by the wealth of experience and information everyone on this forum has! I don't want her to have too much to travel with, but I think I'll definitely burn her a couple of CD's full of her favorite music, and make her a package of some nice girlie bath goodies. Slippers and magazine subscriptions - great ideas too! FYI - she will be writing for the Moscow Times, so surely there will be a relatively dependable way for mail to reach her, right?

sbc

<BR>I have a great idea: a bathrobe. Nordstrom has very nice, beautiful cotton robes that are lightweight (they fold up very small). They're not cheap ($60-75), but I love mine and I take it everywhere. I got it right before I moved to Paris.

Marc David Miller

As for straight correspondence, the Moscow Times has a pouch from New York and from London that you could probably use for LIMITED items.

Marc David Miller

Also an LLBean gift certificate--most of the winter clothing in Russia (at least of a good quality) is quite expensive, with the exception of leather/fur. A down vest would certainly come in handy.

Rich

<BR> <BR>Thought of something else . . I lived there three years and the Rough Guide to Russia was invaluable. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps . . Rich

Sarah

A friend of mine just moved to Japan. I went down to my local scrapbooking store and bought her some supplies to take with her, including a photo album, fancy scissors, fun stickers related to the country, fun background paper and a book on how to put together a scrapbook. She just sent me an e-mail this morning telling me how much fun she's having with her new hobby. Needless to say, she's been taking a lot of photos. This gives her an opportunity to document the experience and provides a hobby for evening as well. She said that she's been appreciating gifts that keep her occupied in her time off so that she doesn't get quite so homesick.

Tina

A friend of mine just moved over to Africa on a long term assignment. He's getting adjusted, but says that he really appreciates the dvds that some of us packed up in a box for him to take along. He says that it's comforting to come home at night and be able to pop in a dvd and see familiar actors and hear some English.

Marc David Miller

If you are considering giving DVDs or videos, make certain the recipient has a Region 1/NTSC compatible system (which is not standard in Russia, although it is available).