My fellow ex-pat blogger over at Laurie's Blog Spot posted what she thought were the 5 indispensable items for expats coming to Honduras.
My list is a bit different. Men, just stop reading now because my list is tailored more for women (high maintenance women, to be exact). ;)
1. Skin care products. If you don't like Ponds, stock up and bring your own.
2. Make-up. Whether you like the drug store or department store brands, you need to stock up while you're in the US. You can find just about all of the drug store brands in the supermarkets, but the products are rarely in stock. I ran out of bronze Almay eyeliner a few months back (actually, a maid stole it) and went to the supermarket to get some more. Not only was the Almay liner double the price, but they only had ugly colors (I'm guessing the overstock from the colors they can't sell in the US). The department stores are the same way. You can find Lancome, Chanel, MAC, Clinique, etc, etc, but they are always out of everything that you want. And colors that are appropriate for fair skin? They usually don't even carry it. Also, I have yet to see Bare Minerals or Lush or anything organic or mineral based. Ugh, I miss Sephora.
3. Feminine hygiene products. You can find "sanitary napkins" everywhere. But tampons are a little more difficult to find. Where they do sell them, there is usually only brand, they are almost always super, and they are almost always double what they cost in the US.
4. Underwear. There is no Victoria's Secret, and what the department stores here carry is of poor quality. So, bring panties. And bras. :) Or just be prepared to order it all online, and then pay a hefty import tax (sometimes 25%) when it gets shipped here.
5. Books. I have to agree with Laurie on this one. The selection of books in English is very limited, and they are outrageously overpriced. Amazon has been a blessing for books because you can get some for $0.01 each!
I think I could probably go on and on....but these are the first 5 that came to mind. :)
5 comments:
Ha! I forgot makeup. I use lancome suncreen and foundation. Never can find it here. Tampons are hit and miss. But . . . I don't have much need in that dept at my age! Lol!
Make-Up? Yeah, I go through the motions in Tegus but it doesn't seem to last long in the heat of Tegus.
I guess I'd have to add my favorite brand of hairspray to my ever-increasing list of essentials. At least with it and my fine, super straight hair, I stand of chance of keeping it styled for most of the day.
I'm glad I don't have to limit myself right now, since I'm not planning to move for 10 years or so...then I'll pack a container just with essentials! :-) (It's fun to dream and pretend I'll be rich.)
Hannah,
I will keep your list in mind. I have heard about the tampon thing from Jennifer @ followingmycatracho & I had been wondering about my fav make up "Estee Lauder Double Wear" & I know I'll have to stock up. I never even thought about the regular make up items like eye liner. I did hear about the bra & panty dilema. Keep adding the essentials for us girly girls!
I left my make-up bag at work one time and that grew legs fast. I bought two eyeliners (black and brown) at Carrion and I'm still using them and love them. Definitely sticker shock though for name brands though.
I'm so glad I don't have a need for tampons anymore since I found the Diva Cup. Maybe you should look into that. http://www.divacup.com/
Ha! Love this...but I could not limit it to 5. I find tampons and napkins really easy here in La Ceiba, but have to go to divacup.com for sure. I really do not wear makeup anymore seeing as it just does not stay on...but for Christmas last year my mother inlaw (love the word of the day by the way...although I do like mine) sent me a bag of the free stuff she gets when she buys her make up from Lancomb and este lauder. BRAS BRAAS BRAS...for sure. My friend that was bringing me some bras down, canceled their trip because of the coup! Okay, I better stop there. I will be writing a blog soon on the things I will never tire of living here...you know things like women with baskets and bowls on their head, horse drawn carts...and the such! Thanks for adding my blog to yours...will add yours!
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