hording from the mainland...

I second this question in regards to STT! I know the last time this topic came up, most people thought they would like to have food and drink items. Anything else we need to bring??

Pink

Whatever over-the-counter drugs you use regularly are cheaper in the states. We buy vitamins, tylenol, glucosamine & chrondrotin,ASA, etc, whenever we're in the states and bring them back. Also anything that you will die if you don't have - a certain brand, flavor, whatever.

I had planned to stock up on some "can't live without" food items before moving but didn't get around to it. Top of the list was to buy some pickled Pepadew peppers (fell in love with them at Whole Foods in Austin, but they only had foodservice jumbo cans). For some reason I was really fixated on bringing some with me. It didn't happen.

Second day here I was at Gourmet Gallery and thought I'd see if they had any (fat chance, right?--only one store in Austin had them). Well, they DID have them! This may seem trivial, but it really made my day. I bought nearly every jar they had 🙂

There's a suprisingly large array of interesting imported food items here on STT, especially at Gourmet Gallery and Plaza Extra. The latter store has a particularly good selection of Indian food. I bought a frozen Malai Kofta dinner with low expectations and it was excellent. Now I'm there nearly every day digging through the freezer in search of that specific item. Maybe they can order a case for me.

Bumping this up, as I too would be interested to learn what I should be bringing with me when I move to STT in September. Not so much things that "I can't live without", 'cause if there truly WAS anything in this category, I wouldn't be moving! Well, except for maybe my hair color...LOL!

Referring more to things that can be bought there, but that might be better to bring/ship from the States from a price perspective. Already planning on batteries, film and sunscreen.

Linda J. - thanks for the tip on over-the-counter meds, vitamins.

Anyone/anything else? As always, thanks for the help!

meagan: You will find on your own what you need. I think it is different for everyone. Some people like a certain brand of undies, or a special spice for cooking. I do go to Target when I am in the states, but usually just walk around to see what I am missing! It is pretty amazing when you get to the point of thinking, "Well, if they haven't got it at K-Mart/the grocery/Cost-U-Less, I guess I can substitute."

There is plenty of sunscreen here. You'll want to stop worrying about the price, as there isn't much you can do about it. When you add shipping costs to stuff you send, it doesn't matter. IMHO, of course! 😉

P.S. You don't have anything to do with Dr Joy Brown, do you? She is on the radio here in ther afternoon and is a breath of fresh air!

I agree with EE.

I am still very new here, but thus far I have found just about everything I need or want on STT, or an acceptable substitute.

Also, you will be amazed at how many fewer "things" you need down here than you do in the states. It's great :)!

That said, I have needed to travel stateside several times since I moved here earlier this year and when I do and I tend to stock up on:

Clothing
Footwear
Over-the-counter meds
Sugar-free grocery items that I like

thanks for your responses...very helpful esp about the over the counter meds/vitamins. i'm sure we'll find whatever we need that we don't bring when we get there. we see this as an adventure...in the past we've adapted to living in asia and europe so are familiar with working it out!

E.E--not related to dr. joy brown but will have to check her out since we share similar names!

Hello there. The only thing I found I missed when I moved was coffee. Really good rich whole bean coffee (that was at least somewhat affordable). I don't drink much, but when I do, I want it to be the best. I was a bit challenged in this area, until I found Anna's Cafe in Gallows Bay near Christiansted. She has her own blend fresh roasted in Philadelphia and shipped over.

Not only is it fairly inexpensive, it is truly a terrific coffee. She now has several choices including decaf, flavored and the real deal.

Just wanted to let you know as for months, I was kicking myself for not bringing over like 50 lbs of beans a freezing them.

Warm regards,

Dan G.

Thanks again to all who have replied!!

Dan.....Beans??? What kind of beans???

I have stocked up on clothing, shoes, vitamins ( VERY GOOD ADVISE),teas, coffee....Anything else anyone??

Another question: The island I am from has a TERRIBLE problem with misquitoes and no-seeums as well. When on the beach or deck at night we light tiki torches and it works really well. Does anyone know if this helps with the problem down there? Thanks a bunch!!

Pink

Hi Dan,

Re coffee:

Someone told me that Alto Grande coffee from Puerto Rico is excellent. I haven't tried it myself, but I plan to sometime soon.

I wonder if it is available at any of the stores on STT, STX, or STJ. Does anyone know?

Have you other coffee fans tried the San Francisco Bay brand from Cost-U-Less?? The French Roast is as good as any I have had! Yum!

Hi EE,

No I have not tried that, but I will soon per your suggestion. I do think that the Virgin Java brand they sell there is fairly decent too.

BTW there is a spiced coffee (cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove) that Sunny Caribbee on Tortola sells. It is definitely not something that you would want to drink everyday, but I really enjoy having it from time to time. It would probably be really good mixed with some of the local rums and liqueurs too!!! Next time you are on Tortola, check it out :).

great info about the coffee--thanks (i live on the stuff)! i've been hording my peet's coffee in the freezer (shipped in from sf or bought only at whole paycheck...oops, i mean whole foods). these other options will be fun checking out and tasting.

we're 2 weeks out so lots going on in brooklyn...

Hello there PinkCoconut and everybody! Yes, I did mean coffee beans. I agree that the San Francisco coffee is quite good, however it is not always available which led me to my dilemma. I am actually mixing Anna's and the San Francisco reg. roast together, and am pleased with the results.

The greater Caribbean area has some great coffees, including a couple of varieties from Puerto Rico (Blue Mountain, PR coffee is one of my favorites), though it seems that much of the really good beans get shipped stateside. I have never seen any for sale here.

Again, I don't drink a ton of coffee, but when I do, I reallylike it to be good and to have choice, from nutty, to rich and buttery, etc.

I'm not plugging Anna's, but have found that I can consistently get a great iced cappuccino and if I sit for more than one minute, get to meet some really interesting people. What could be better?

I am planning on going to PR in the fall for even a long weekend, and if I do, will stock up and take orders or get gifts for coffee lovers. Just let me know.

Warmly,

Dan

Hello Dan! Haven't chatted with you in a while. Thanks for the "bean" clarification (LOL!)and great info about coffee!! I am bringing ALOT, even though I won't be drinking too much of it! Very sweet of you to offer to take orders and if I need it I'll let you know. I would bring extra for everyone, but my suitcases are already OVERFLOWING!!

Pink

Thanks for the responses everyone! Given the reasonable USPS rates to ship boxes from NY, I find I'm probably bringing more than I'll need, but so be it.

That said, if anyone on STT has any item(s) that they are dreaming about, I'd be happy to ship it along with my stuff as a gesture of thanks for all of the invaluable information I've gotten on this board. Arriving 9/30, expect my stuff shortly thereafter.

Feel free to email me at Annnypisces@aol.com - my PM here doesn't always work. Just put "VINow" in the subject line so I don't think you're spamming me - LOL!

Cheers!

WOW!! This was a wonderful gesture, I can't believe no one responded! I have a request......

Can you sneak a couple of extra suitcases full of my stuff on the plane for me!! LOL!

I haven't made it there yet, so I can't say I need anything but thanks for offering!

Pink

LOL, Me too,
The dog and computer are my two carryons. I'll end up having to ship clothes. With only one suitcase. Okay I know, I'll end up never wearing half what goes.
Mark will want Nance's Mustard. I have been eating chinese food and steak and yummy vegetables. I know I'll miss it so I am being a glutton right now. (I meen the really good, fresh stuff)

I wanted to thank you, and all of the folks who have moved or PMVed in the Islands and have asked if anyone needs anything. I think that in this past year, I have experienced more generosity than I ever could have imagined.

I actually have everything I need. My needs are simple, and I find that the diversity in foods and culturally oriented foods keeps me going, but again, I did want to say thank you.

The only thing I cant seem to find are shorts that are demin or raw cotton and sort of like painter's pants. My folks are taking care of that end.

I'm pretty sure they must exist somewhere, but as of now, I have given up asking and looking.....so, if you really love them as I do, bring a few for you!

Best wishes on your move,

Dan

Hi Dan!

I had to laugh when I read your post. I am not laughing at you, but with you. Back here in the states I too am having one heck of a time finding ANY sorts this year. I figured someone high up had a brilliant idea that it wasn't getting hot here this year! (in a town where it is 90 to over a hundred degrees and EVERY summer!!) LOL!!Good luck with your search and email me if you can't find them.

Pink

Hi,

Danieljude said:

"I wanted to thank you, and all of the folks who have moved or PMVed in the Islands and have asked if anyone needs anything."

I would like to second that. Thank you very much 🙂 🙂 :).

Best,
Mell

Everytime I go home I just start loading up at the Dollar Tree. I must admit when I first moved here I went overboard. I just however, ran out of my dollar store batteries. My landlord's teenage grandson cleaned me out. I'll be buying batteries when I go home.