The Restock

What would you do with 200 pounds? I'm not talking about the spendable pound sterling, but rather the precious and often pricey luggage weight allotted to air travelers. Thankfully we were two individuals flying internationally, so these pounds cost us nothing extra at all. (Until you consider the airfare itself.)

While I almost always avoid checking bags, preferring to travel light and avoid lost luggage, that rule definitely does not apply when it comes to the restock. That is, the glorious opportunity to fill our bags with favorite commodities from the US.

It won't take you long to notice the themes of this year's restock.

1. Coffee. By far our most regularly imported item. Customs officers must think we're running an illegal cafe out of our home. The post office may think the same, as we have amazing friends that send us regular supplies. Thankfully, the value-to-ounce ratio is--in our caffeinated opinion--quite high.

2. Canning supplies? We'll concede that neither of us is your typical canner. But seasonal produce includes exotic lychees and amazing mangoes, such that we'd even risk botulism to preserve them. (Hopefully there won't be any blog posts about that in the near future. But then, who would be able to type it?!)

3. Wool anything. This past month it was socks, but the last restock included long underwear. Unlike standard fabric blends, you can go for months without washing wool and it doesn't stink. Not that we've tried....

4. Emergency gear. Whether it's a large-scale disaster or a power outage due to shortages, camping stoves and backup batteries are our MVPs.

5. Shoes. Mainly because our 'merican-sized feet can't fit into anything here. That, and the trails tear through them quickly.

6. Chocolate. A perennial favorite. The high temperatures in South Asia require increased paraffin content to keep chocolate from melting. So while the wrapper may say "Hershey's," if it comes from Delhi it's just not the same. We love sharing real Hershey's s'mores and baked treats with expat and Nepali friends alike.

Before I get carried away, an essential clarification: I would much rather spend these pounds on people if I could, missing them a thousand times more than anything listed above.

But TSA frowns upon that practice, so for the time being, I'll enjoy baking Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies. If only I could find some cooking fuel....