Need the perfect maybe exotic gift
April 29, 2011 11:32 AM Subscribe
A friend of ours is going to be in Africa for a month this summer. During that month, he is going to be turning the big 5-0. What is something we can get him for his trip that would be particularly useful. I assume he already has a great camera.
little pins of where he is from to give to kids. Maybe a pack of cards with his name and email on it to give out to new friends.
Some Ex Officio lightweight underwear would be nice.
posted by tarvuz at 11:48 AM on April 29, 2011
Some Ex Officio lightweight underwear would be nice.
posted by tarvuz at 11:48 AM on April 29, 2011
You know, he might spend his birthday meal or whatever with new friends and acquaintances that he meets that month.
It might be nice for him to be able to share with them little trinkets that are from home and that remind them of their new American friend being with him on his special day. So maybe you could give him some flag pins or two dollar bills or whatever else is little and easy to carry around but quintessentially american.
posted by sestaaak at 11:49 AM on April 29, 2011
It might be nice for him to be able to share with them little trinkets that are from home and that remind them of their new American friend being with him on his special day. So maybe you could give him some flag pins or two dollar bills or whatever else is little and easy to carry around but quintessentially american.
posted by sestaaak at 11:49 AM on April 29, 2011
Response by poster: Oops, I meant South Africa. I know they will be doing travelling in Cape Town, doing a safari, etc.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:54 AM on April 29, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:54 AM on April 29, 2011
Also handy would be a small laminated sheet of paper with a map showing where he is from and maybe a few photos of what it looks like. As I get asked where I am from all the time here in Africa I would love to be able to whip out a piece of paper that can give a visual.
posted by tarvuz at 11:56 AM on April 29, 2011
posted by tarvuz at 11:56 AM on April 29, 2011
I second the suggestion of a Kindle. If they had been arround when i lived in africa , i would have LOVED one. Especially for travelling - when you have lots of time to read and not a lot of desire lug lots of books around.
I'd also suggest a pair of binoculars. They are wonderful to have on a safari.
I know what Tarvuz is saying with is suggestions of a map, but i've got to say - i think this is wasted effort. Most africans aren't familiar with world geography (heck, most americans aren't!) and many will have never seen a map before, and won't know how to interpret it.
Also - giving away trinkets or pens or candy is NOT a good idea - this is something that you will only hear from people who have parachuted in for a few weeks and left without an understanding of the impact. It creates both a 'culture of dependency' from a macro perspective, and also a sense of annoyance from a micro perspective. Many don't want or need our little bits and pieces, and of those that do, it can create problems by inevitably giving items to those children who are most aggressive. Its just not good.
If you think that helping the local community would be something he'd enjoy, might i suggest you give him either a check or something to donate to a local charity. (Ie visiting an orphanage with a big box of crayons, or a big bag of tshirts, would be very welcome.)
posted by Kololo at 12:47 PM on April 29, 2011
I'd also suggest a pair of binoculars. They are wonderful to have on a safari.
I know what Tarvuz is saying with is suggestions of a map, but i've got to say - i think this is wasted effort. Most africans aren't familiar with world geography (heck, most americans aren't!) and many will have never seen a map before, and won't know how to interpret it.
Also - giving away trinkets or pens or candy is NOT a good idea - this is something that you will only hear from people who have parachuted in for a few weeks and left without an understanding of the impact. It creates both a 'culture of dependency' from a macro perspective, and also a sense of annoyance from a micro perspective. Many don't want or need our little bits and pieces, and of those that do, it can create problems by inevitably giving items to those children who are most aggressive. Its just not good.
If you think that helping the local community would be something he'd enjoy, might i suggest you give him either a check or something to donate to a local charity. (Ie visiting an orphanage with a big box of crayons, or a big bag of tshirts, would be very welcome.)
posted by Kololo at 12:47 PM on April 29, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions so far. He already has a Kindle.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:20 PM on April 29, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:20 PM on April 29, 2011
Trinkets is a loaded word, sorry. I think there is a difference between:
1) bringing candy and pens to hand out to poor street kids, thereby engendering the dreaded culture of dependency, and
2) carrying a small notional gift, given from his beloved old friends back home, to be shared with new friends - people he is individually fond of and will miss when he leaves.
posted by sestaaak at 1:54 PM on April 29, 2011
1) bringing candy and pens to hand out to poor street kids, thereby engendering the dreaded culture of dependency, and
2) carrying a small notional gift, given from his beloved old friends back home, to be shared with new friends - people he is individually fond of and will miss when he leaves.
posted by sestaaak at 1:54 PM on April 29, 2011
Not sure if you're still looking, but how about a South African book to load onto his Kindle?
I don't know how many will be available in Kindle editions, but there is a list of some recommended books here.
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 10:57 AM on May 5, 2011
I don't know how many will be available in Kindle editions, but there is a list of some recommended books here.
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 10:57 AM on May 5, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
I would personally go with a kindle, they can be a life saver for the times you are stuck places while traveling and all you can do is sit and wait.
posted by Felex at 11:43 AM on April 29, 2011 [2 favorites]