The generosity and assistance of the Mexican people is well documented in books and places like this forum. I was wondering if there was anything
beneficial (so no candy) that I could bring as gifts to return the favor.
I'll also bring a few extra cans of Tim Hortons coffee in case I run into any wayward Canucks in desperate need of a Timmies fix.
I've been lurking on the board for an eternity and may finally be heading down for 6 weeks or more; leaving roughly May 7th.vandenberg - 4-9-2009 at 03:17 PM
Just bring lotsa Moolah and leave the Horton stuff at home.
Never found anything that outfit sells worth the money yet.
And Mexican coffee is better then theirs by far.
This from an old Maple Leaf fan from Tim's hayday.
Lived right about where he got killed.
His products don't live up to his hockeyplaying.woody with a view - 4-9-2009 at 03:17 PM
if you have the room load up some boxes or hefty bags full of all of the stuff you don't use/would give to salvation army. clothes, tools, childrens
books, toys, vcrs/dvd players, kitchen utensils.........whatever.
find someone you really like and give it all to them. what they don't use they will give to whoever needs it in the area.Paulina - 4-9-2009 at 05:12 PM
Sometimes it helps to put all the goodies into a suitcase. If you are checked at the border, they are less likely to mess with you. If it's not a
suitcase you need to take home, leave it with the people as well.
Have a safe trip and welcome to the Nomad board!
P<*))))>{bajaguy - 4-9-2009 at 06:14 PM
Buy several soft sided suitcases or dufflebags and pack your goodies in those. After you deliver the goodies, use the bags for dirty clothes or fold
them up and pack in your regular suitcase. Have never had the duffle bags searched....trash bags are a customs magnet.Mango - 4-9-2009 at 07:42 PM
It depends where you are going.
Gifts I've given that were well received are..
-Quality tightly braided 9mm nylon rope, not the cheap crap from Ace. The guy I gave it too was ecstatic about using it for his horse.
-Buttons, needles, thread, fabric to some women.. (helps if they sew..lol traded(gave) some to women making/selling crafts)
-Soccer balls (best to give to a school/church director to avoid jealousy and for better use for all kids)
-LED flashlights and headlamps. I gave a real nice light to a old-timer running a mine tour in Guanajuato. I told him to use it or sell it to
another miner. (it ran very bright for 100 hours on 2 AA's)
-Fishing line (might be a problem with the "man" if you don't have a fishing license though)
-Small tools (block plane, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc) - Great to trade with/give to craftsmen. just make sure they are decent tools.
-White gas
-Climbing carabiners
-Books in Spanish
and well.. I always bring photos to show/share with people I meet. It really helps break the ice (photo = 1000 words.. is great when you only know a
few words). I found people always wanted to keep/have some of my photos, namely pictures of San Francisco/Golden Gate Bridge, etc..
Have a great trip and right on for thinking of other people!wilderone - 4-13-2009 at 09:50 AM
Also, you can go to the 99 cents stores and get good deals on toothbrushes, soap, aspirin, tarps, sewing kits. Thrift stores are good for bags of
little stuffed animals and toys. Tea, pasta and cans of pasta sauce are pretty inexpensive too.Casey67 - 4-13-2009 at 01:10 PM
Thanks for the great suggestions! That is more than enough to get me started.Sharksbaja - 4-13-2009 at 01:48 PM
You may think candy is a bad gift. Let me remind you that Baja has some of the worst candy on the planet.mulegemichael - 4-13-2009 at 02:02 PM
THE worse chocolate on the planet!Pompano - 4-13-2009 at 02:09 PM
The worst ice cream on the planet!Cypress - 4-13-2009 at 02:11 PM
Gifts? Most of the folks down in Baja will give you way more "gifts" than you can give them.
Bring Duct Tape
Pompano - 4-13-2009 at 04:33 PM
One can never have enough. sd - 4-13-2009 at 04:49 PM
Sun hats, cold weather hats, work gloves, cold weather mittens for the kids, new shoes and boots, T Shirts, hair bands, back packs for school, small
footballs, soccer balls (don't forget air pump and needle), socks, so much more.
If you are driving down this will be a fun part of your trip handing out your gifts.estebanis - 4-13-2009 at 06:25 PM
I took down an old school Coleman White Gas Stove and Dual Mantle Lantern. My good friend and neighboor Sergio is starting to build on his $1200
dollar lot in "Colonia Vista Del Mar" north of Colonet. His wife had been cooking over a wood fire using a candle at night to see what she was doing.
We used plain ol' unleaded gas in both.
The joy on that womans face was priceless! Sergio asked several times for a fishing rod so as soon as I got home I ran out and bought him a Spining
Rod and reel combo. His son asked for Soccer Balls and non-adjustable baseball style hats. My daughters boy friend had one on last night at the Easter
dinner we rushed home for that cost $45 (that's nuts to me!). I had made Sergio a piola with some tackle I had in my box and he was so proud to show
me the nice perch he caught off the rocks out front. I can't wait to see how he does with the rod and reel although those guys can cast pretty good
with a piola.
Some pals are heading down mid-week and get to see that look of joy I so love seeing on these folks faces!nevadacitynurse - 4-13-2009 at 09:35 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
The worst ice cream on the planet!
Loreto has an ice cream shop that is THE BEST! Bwana_John - 4-14-2009 at 08:26 AM
I usually go to the pawn shop and buy a bunch of old hand tools for my Baja "Kit"
That way when they rust from camping on the beach its no big thing, and if someone needs them or someone helps me I give them away.Mulegena - 4-14-2009 at 09:17 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
The worst ice cream on the planet!
Yeah, when I come back down I'll fill up the trunk with ice cream for Pompy.
Loved the duct tape pic. I think those girls were last seen attaching that car to a U-Haul truck.
Dog and Cat Food
Mulegena - 4-14-2009 at 09:28 AM
canned or bagged
can be found at discount prices in the US
considered a luxury expense in Mexico
Give to individuals
or open and leave at municipal dumps
