Red asked me the other day were there any places I hadn’t lived? There are a lot, but I got to thinking that I am a member of the “fellowship of the fortunate”. Of the 7 countries represented by the flags on the left I have lived in 4 and visited 1. I didn’t go to Canada though I had opportunity; for the sheer terror of not being allowed back in to the US because I had outstayed my visitors permit… Neither have I been to Kuwait.
The other reason my thoughts have been of an international flavour is having had the opportunity to participate in the Great International Secret Blog Exchange (GISBE) which I mentioned this morning. It was a great exercise to send a care package to someone overseas of all the things you would miss if you no longer lived where you live now! Actually, because Vivi and Tracey are expatriates I think the genesis of the exchange was to give expatriates an opportunity to exchange from home and receive some of their favourite treats. Or, of course, an opportunity for other people who want to receive something from other cultures…
Anyway! The point is that I was thinking about missing things, local foods that you don’t get anywhere else and because I’ve lived in these other places I am surprised to realise that there is quite a list!
You want to hear it, right?
Good. I’ve limited to the top 5 (in no particular order)… for the sake of saving time!
From NZ…
1. Cadbury Chocolate Marshmallow Easter Eggs… with the orange yolk. Nothing says Easter like these babies!
2. Mr Hubbards Feijoa Cereal, and all his other cereals too.
3. Now that you mention it: feijoas. I never seem to be at home when they are in season… Disappointing
4. Cookie Time Cookies… the little ones that come in a bucket at Christmastime… nothing says Christmas like them…
5. Kumara – not that stuff they serve up here … the Purple Ones with yellow middles…. Yeah
From the UK
1. Potato Cakes
2. Bassets Licorice Allsorts
3. Walkers Oat Cakes
4. Fortnum and Mason’s Ginger Cookies
5. Coconut Boost Bars (which I believe are now, sadly obsolete)
From the US
1. Milk Duds
2. Cheese in a Can (I actually doubt I could eat it now… gross… but memorable)
3. Dill Pickles
4. Tuna Salad
5. Subs – good ones… not the microwaved Subways we have here.
If I left Australia I would miss
1. Tim Tams
2. Mint Slices (and all the other slices)
3. Cherry Ripes
4. Gelatissimo Ice Cream
5. Max Brenners Hot Chocolate (and all his other chocolates and Belgian Waffles)
So, there you have it… everything that’s good from where I’ve lived. But should you have imagined this was a cunning ploy to alert my secret blog exchanger all the things I could possibly want… she has already sent it.
I was just thinking out loud.
Ooh, Cadbury’s Marshmallow Easter Eggs! I can eat a bag in one sitting.
We’ve got a huge feijoa tree in our backyard and the ground is thick with them in November (?) – but no one in our house likes them…
As for UK, I really, really miss Mark & Spencers Cauliflower Cheese.
If it helps I just sent you a huge package from the U.S!!!
What a well-travelled lass you are.
I’m wondering what "feijoas" is/are?
Yeah, with you on subs from the US. Though its interesting to see what you miss from the UK!!!
And you realise that now you have to explain what all these fantastic treats from down your way are?!??
Funny, I’ve JUST sent you a longish e-mail about GISBE and food.