Weird and Wonderful Indeed!
One of my girlfriends, Mini, married her college sweetheart, Jason, several years ago. Jason — the brain who designed this web site — is a twin. His sister Jen, and her husband Dave, are world travelers. They left for the Peace Corps not long after I did and also served in Africa. (Although they were far more successful.)
While I’ve never spent much time with Jen, Jason has told me more than once that we are kindred spirits. Our interests are similar — she is in love with Africa too — and we’ve created a friendship via email during the last year. She and Dave have been living in London, but just returned to Namibia, where they served as PCVs. While visiting, Jen pulled together the care package of a lifetime. I came home Saturday morning from the bagel shop to find a package from Africa sitting on my doorstep.
I pounced.
I have to say, hands down, this is one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. The backstory is important to emphasize that I’ve never spent any real time with Jen, and yet, I swear she overwhelmed me with her kindness. The items she included from Namibia couldn’t have been more perfect.
Fabulous bracelet made by a women’s group in Namibia. It is made from PVC pipe, believe it or not. Love it!
Gorgeous fabric. I’m thinking a new nappy bag.
My favorite is the mask. It is so different from the other African masks I’ve collected and the craftmanship is remarkable. It looks right at home on my mask wall.
She also included a lovely “Welcome to a Better Life” postcard and bookmark, labeled weird and wonderful. I can’t wait to return the favor. Now I’ve just got to research what luxurious American things this austere expat may secretly covet and send them her way!
~K
What a kind and thoughtful gift package! Such cool things, too!
June 26th, 2006 at 9:24 amI vote send her Mexican food! That’s all I wanted when I was stuck in England.
June 26th, 2006 at 9:33 amWow! Beautiful goods she sent your way. So generous!
June 26th, 2006 at 9:56 amSo did she see Brad and Angelina?
I had to. Sorry.
June 26th, 2006 at 10:55 amWhat an incredble package! I love the bracelet and the mask. The mask really does fit on that wall perfectly [great collection, may I add].
June 26th, 2006 at 11:16 amSo kind!
Beautiful gifts…very cool indeed!!
June 26th, 2006 at 11:18 amI have some beautiful batik scraps I brought back from Indonesia. (I had some clothes made there and brought everything back in case I had an epiphany about what to do with them.)
I don’t know how much material a wristlet needs, but if you’d like it, let me know!
June 26th, 2006 at 2:48 pmI too have one of those bracelets brought back by my daughter to add to my 3 other styles I got when I was in Africa. Those PVC ones are made by women to keep up a local art that has just about vanished because there is no longer carving on ivory. I also have a phone wire woven bracelet that is made in the same tradition as the elephant hair bracelets were.
June 26th, 2006 at 3:47 pmHow cool is that, to make bracelets out of plastic pipe!!They certainly know how to recycle and make money in an unique way!! I just love african fabric, I recently had 2 bags from uganda, so colourful.
June 27th, 2006 at 9:31 amGoogle is the best search engine
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 am