I have found Paradise in the (virtual) shape of a blog...
http://gimmeyourstuff.blogspot.com/
They describe it as ''the cultural exchange blog where you can swap items of significance to your area with items from others around the world. A conduit for many an international cuisine to change hands. A place where you can trade a newspaper from South Africa, or a CD from Finland'' ...
Aren't you raring to start doing some swapping already? :) I am !!!
I spent last night daydreaming of all the swaps I am going to do and the interesting people I will meet along the way. Oh! and preparing the huge list of things I would love to get my hands on.
I surprised myself with this; since I was a kid I have had a huge interest in everything foreign but phew... the older I get the more interests I have.
I am a 'knowledge sponge' or what? ;-)
Here is my list. I will be adding to this and also deleting items (once I manage to find a kind person willing to trade them with me ;-) ) on a regular basis.
If your country is not listed here, please don't think it means I do not wish to swap with you! It does NOT.
These are just my initial thoughts and I'd be happy to receive an email from you with your ideas for a swap. I am sure we could work something out!
But first things first!! What I can trade.
Since I am a Spanish girl I can send you...
- Spanish chocolate (and tea)
- Postcards of Spanish cities
- A Spanish fan (or two!) In case you don't know what an 'abanico' looks like google it or have a peek at: http://www.spanishfans.com/
- Mix CDs
- Second-hand books in Spanish
- Cute tops from Zara, Mango and other fashion brands in my country
- Bookmarks
Anything you can think of just ask! I would do my best to 'investigate' if we have it here :)
My Wishlist (wearing glasses? get them in position... it is a loooong list)
USA-wide (below wishes by state...)
- 'Let's bee friends' tee from the Snorg Tees' website (size XL)
- Button badges (suggested themes: owls, lighthouses, I Love Sushi logo and those made by artists in Etsy)
- Girly Tee 'Remembering Last Night' (size XL) from the Threadless' website.
http://www.threadless.com/product/1396/Remembering_Last_Night
- Girly Tee 'Imsomnia' from the same company in kelly green colour
http://www.threadless.com/product/596/Insomnia
- A 'Teach Yourself Korean' book in English
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (YUM!)
In no alphabetical order...
MASSACHUSETTS
- Second-hand copy of the short-story collection 'Read This and Tell Me What It Says' by A. Manette Ansay
- Boston postcards!
NEW JERSEY
- Garden State (the movie starring Zach Braff and Natalie Portman) memorabilia.
I am thinking of something simple like a postcard or a BIG button badge that I could put on my shoulder bag. I'd love the latter.
IDAHO
- Boise postcards
- A back issue of the literary journal The Idaho Review (any year; I have none yet)
NORTH DAKOTA
The 'great unknown' for me so looking for postcards of any city/ town.
- A back issue of the literary journal North Dakota Quarterly (a 2007 one preferred)
MAINE
- A pack of dried blueberries
ALASKA
- I dream of getting lots from there! (nothing expensive at all, don't worry) Get in touch please.
OREGON
- Portland postcards
- A back issue of the literary journal Tin House (a recent one preferred)
- A back issue of the literary journal Glimmer Train (any from years 2005-present)
Now on to the neighbour to the North...
CANADA
- Can any generous soul do a mix CD for me containing the full album 'Fickle Mind' by Heidi McCurdy?
- A back issue of the literary journal The Fiddlehead (a recent one preferred)
- Second-hand copy of the short-story collection 'A Guide to Animal Behaviour' by Douglas Glover
- A back issue of Grain magazine (a 2007 or 2008 one preferred)
- Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island postcards! feel free to write those overleaf telling me something about yourself and/or the place. I'll give you my real name on an email.
- Back issue of The Walrus Magazine
QUÉBEC - CANADA
- Montreal postcards!
- Mix CDs of music in French by local artists (NO Garou, I already have all of his albums and love them :-) )
AUSTRALIA comes next...
- Second-hand copy of 'The Writing Book: A Manual for Fiction Writers' by Kate Grenville
- A back issue of Heat magazine (poetry/ essays) - A 2007 or 2008 preferred
- Perth postcards
Land of Abba, amazing cities, birthplace of great children's author Maria Gripe and Annas cookies!!!
Yep it is...
SWEDEN
- Pack of Annas Ginger Thins
- Goteborg postcards
- Anything from the Gudrun Sjoden shop (size XL)
IRELAND
- Second-hand copy of the short-story collection 'The Way-Paver' by Anne Devlin
- Second-hand copy of 'Scéalta, short stories by Irish Women' (publisher unknown)
URUGUAY
- Any second-hand books written by Horacio Quiroga (in Spanish)
SCOTLAND
- Brand new or second-hand DVDs of the movies 'The Secret Life of Words' and 'Laurel Canyon' (my laptop is British so can't get those movies from the States as they would not work on my DVD player)
- Mix CD of Scottish music that includes the following four songs: 'Young Forever' by Aberfeldy, 'Destroy Rock & Roll' by Mylo and 'Faerie Stories' and 'Welcome to Dunvegas' both by The Peatboy Faeries.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME?
Easy peasy... worldcitizenyes@gmail.com
Please put on the subject line 'Gimme Your Stuff' so I know it is not spam.
I aim to do four swaps per month; on two of those I will send the parcel first and on the two others I will ask my partner to send first if they're happy with it.
Waiting for you in my mailbox! Hasta pronto :-)