Can kids are what we call the little boys that beg with big old tomato paste cans. However it isn't begging in the American tradition. They are begging to pay an imam for the cost of their Islamic education, and actually it is part of the religion to give money to those children. I, however, am not a Muslim and have no desire to contribute monetarily to the propagation of Islam. This is unfortunately a concept too complicated to explain to swarming children in a market situation.
Anyway, I am calling myself a can kid because I am begging for food and letters to support my cross-cultural education. :) Aren't I sneaky?
*Nuts—my favorites are walnuts, pecans, almonds, and honey roasted peanuts, but I'm always interested in broadening my horizons
*Dried fruit—I don't really care for dried pineapples or bananas, but I LOVE dried cherries, cranberries, Trader Joe's berry medley, golden raisins, peaches, apricots, and mangoes
*Granola bars—in my opinion, Nature Valley makes the best ones. Although Nutrigrain and Quaker Oats are tasty too.
*Gum/mints—any kind, as long as it's wrapped in some sort of foil or paper and not plastic, which is impossible to get rid of here and blows about the countryside.
*Pens—let me lay all suspicions to rest: I love to write. I write every day. I keep a diary and several journals of varying types, as well as the numerous letters I send. As a lady particular about her inks, I am desperate in this country that is completely sans decent pens. They all bleed and blob and are depressing to write with. I like rollerball pens that don't bleed through a page best.
*Lotion—this may seem vain but in fact it is a health issue. My skin is my first line of defense against infection, and in a dry climate like this one, especially now in the hot season, it needs daily care. Local products are not trustworthy (these are people that put antifreeze in toothpaste).
*Cereal—any flavored Cheerios or Quaker Toasted Oat Squares. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Kix, Peanut Butter Captain Crunch. I am drooling just listing these.
*Chips and Chex Mix
*Candy—One cannot go wrong with M&Ms. There is NO chocolate here and the candy shell keeps it from melting too much. And I would eat them anyway. Peanut, dark, almond, and peanut butter are my favorites. Plus Skittles and Starbursts.
*Bisquick (the pancake mix)
*Yoga Journal (magazine)
*Emergen-C—a fizzy dissolvable vitamin supplement that former college students might remember. I use it on days that I don't get enough vitamins/minerals. Which is oftener than I would like. Hence the asking.
As ever, all my love for being who you are, and all my thanks for remembering me.
