Chicago to Kiev with 400 pounds of essentials

The kids & I flew home this week – each of us allowed 2 – 50 lb bags.  It seemed irresponsible not to bring all 8.  However, when I saw all of them crammed into the van, even I wondered WHAT exactly does one need that adds up to 400 lbs?!

Aside from our clothes, which took up ~2-3 bags, we hauled loot - loads of loot:

Loot you can’t get in Kiev…

Considering we moved here with Mars - OF COURSE there are M&M's & Dove here....but not the PB or Mint varieties!

(You really MUST try these new dark chocolate mint Dove's - YUM!)

And my dirty little secret - contraband Trader Joe's chocolate almonds

Bagels, yes - 96 of them - filled more than 1/2 of one of the 8 cases....

(OK, there IS a vendor who makes & delivers bagels here - but they just aren't the same as Einstein's!)

Baking mixes, Crystal light, black beans & fancy fake sugar....

Fruit snacks & Costco nut squares....

(8 bags & 400 lbs. is a LOT of baggage!)

Loot that’s too expensive in Kiev…

Clearly there is winter gear here - but everything imported is so much more expensive.  8 bags could come for free - how could I not?!

And now that our Lego situation has crossed into an obsession, we cannot afford NOT to bring those from home (~2x the price here)

Loot that's probably here, but too perplexing to find….

Given how much baking there is here, I KNOW Baking Powder must exist.  But at $0.89 and just 1 pound, it's easier to pack a box than to figure out what is what.....

Toiletries, OTC meds & hair dye....I know Ukrainians use these - but OMG way too many varieties

(I have questionable enough results with American dyes / English instructions - practically an unintentional blond at the moment)

If you've read many of my previous posts, you know there is LOADS of booze in Kiev.  But we're still struggling to find stuff like you get in Napa.  And I've yet to see a 3L double-magnum.  So of course, it had to come!

And of course, who could live without a Rechargeable Mosquito Hitting Swatter?!

(Logan + the way too easy Amazon Prime are fully responsible for this one!)

When she saw the mound of goods, our cleaning lady was concerned that I thought there were ‘deficits’ in Kiev.  But as our friend Sussie says, you grow to the size of your fish bowl!

So, necessity or not,  here's to the comforts of home - even if they have to be hauled in a suitcase.