one recommendation i would say is to bring an external hard drive...it will be a blessing once you get to the island. I wish I had bought one before I came

I just finished 4th down here(leave tomorrow!) and have some advice to those of ya coming down: Take half of the **** out of your suitcase and leave it at home. Seriously. Me and my friends have been in the process of packing up to get outta here and realized that we didn't need all this ****. EVERYONE I know is leaving a pile of clothes that they never wore. I donated a large pile to the homeless shelter in Portsmouth.

Transformers: Most apts(all the new ones) have them built in or the last student in there has left it because it weighs so much. Most people just charge all their stuff on campus. Hell, I charged my laptop, cell, and Skype phone in class everyday. Hell, I even charged my beard trimmer in class a few times.
Toiletries: you can get everything here. Now, if ya have a favorite shampoo, bodywash, or toothpaste that you have to have then bring a big bottle of it. Soft toilet paper is on the island-try Tina's store- its not brand name but its not bad( I was in the Army and had to use leaves a few times so my perception might be skewed). I brought a couple of large towels, but you can find all of those things as well pretty easy. I would bring down a small bottle of OFF if mosquitoes bother you(I got bit like 2 times in 16mo)
Clothes: ONE nice thing to wear for the White Coat ceremony. You won't need it again until 3rd semester. NO need for nice clothes here. Shorts, T-shirts, underwear, and socks. Plan on enough for at least 2-3weeks plus any workout/swim stuff. You apartment might have someone wash it for ya every week, but I recommend Hermina--smells like home! OH, and a sweatshirt because the class can be cold at times.
Food: Really no need, and the selection has been getting better every semester. That said, I did always bring a really big bag of M&Ms every trip, but they do have them here. Just like the shampoo, the food might not be just like home, but you are not going to starve and its not as bad as people make it out to be.This is the truth-I NEVER GOT SICK EATING HERE, not once! Kabuli is another story.
School Supplies: Bring just a few of what you like. The bookstore has everything you could need if ya run out. Really, unless you highlight like a mad person or use a ton of note cards you will be just fine.
Last suggestion: If I had to do it over again, I would have shipped all my stuff a week early and just brought a carry-on with my laptop and a couple of days worth of clothes. Getting through SJU is a pain in the *** and they always loose bags.
Best of luck to ya all!

You must have some magic blood type or something, because when I visited for 2 days to look for an apartment, mosquitoes loved me. I got at least 10 mosquito bites. Its not the big mosquitoes that annoy, its those darn small "gnats" or whatever those small flying bugs are called. But I agree, a bottle or two should be sufficient enough. I would hate to live with OFF as my cologne. I'll check walmart if they have some, since CVS doesn't care it or the camping section of ****'s.

This is kind of strange but... my diet consists mostly of candy. I'm curious about the availability of these brands:

Skittles
Snickers / Kit-Kat
Laffy Taffy
Caramel Creams
Starburst
Blo-Pops
Jolly Ranchers. Especially Jolly Ranchers.

Are computer speakers available (at a resonable price) on the island or should I ship these? Laptop speakers are okay, but if doing a lot of listening to lectures, etc.. it might be nice to have external speakers.

Thanks.

Another question, I realize this habit is also atypical but it comforts me to sleep with a large machete under my pillow. I'm a little worried about putting this in my suitcase, so I'm wondering if it's possible to buy a machete in Dominica? Thanks in advance.

They are sold everywhere in Dominica. I'm not going to lie...wierd habit .

__________________


AUA & Ross Forum Moderator

thank you...

what about the candy? what kind of brands are typically seen? You can tell a lot about a culture by looking at its candy.

also, are any of these things available?
(in no particular order)

1. blank dvds
2. copper / RCA / coaxial cables / ethernet cables
3. flares/ flare guns
4. large square fans as for a window
5. dehumidifiers
6. nunchuku
7. wigs, especially fond of angela davis
8. are there a lot of used bikes floating about?
9. electrical tape
10. pulleys, hammocks

and the separate list for imported foods... have you ever seen any of these around?

1. red wine, esp. Bordeaux
2. lime, mango or other indian pickles (Patak's?)
3. that orange-red vietnamese hot sauce - how about just crushed red pepper?
4. French cheeses, Chevre, Swiss
5. soy sauce
6. is there any variety of chinese cooking paste like black bean & chili?
7. absinthe
8. Doritos esp. nacho cheese.
9. Diet Coke
10. white kind of rice is there? Korean, Basmati...?

Before I start answering I just want to say, don't expect much on the island. If there is anythign you MUST have either bring it with you or ship it! If you don't live on the east cost then you don't have access to cost effective shipping and you can place an order through Island Thrift and we will purchase and ship the items for you! (Sorry for the plug but it sux that only the east coast has inexpensive shipping and no where else)

1. blank dvds - you may be able to find them but I would brign some with you because they will be EXPENSIVE!
2. copper / RCA / coaxial cables / ethernet cables some of those yes btu I never went looking for anythign other than an ethernet cable, if you look in the right place tho i'm sure you can find it.
3. flares/ flare guns - never seen them
4. large square fans as for a window - haha I wish! Just standing fans
5. dehumidifiers - no
6. nunchuku - not sure what thi sis?
7. wigs, especially fond of angela davis - no brign your own
8. are there a lot of used bikes floating about? - eh some but not many at all
9. electrical tape crappy but yes if you want good electrical tape agian, brign your own, same goes for ANY tape
10. pulleys, hammocks - no

and the separate list for imported foods... have you ever seen any of these around?

1. red wine, esp. Bordeaux - red wine yes btu dont' be picky abotu your brands
2. lime, mango or other indian pickles (Patak's?) - not sure what indian pickles are but plenty of mangos and limes when they're in season
3. that orange-red vietnamese hot sauce - how about just crushed red pepper? they have their own type of hot sause there
4. French cheeses, Chevre, Swiss - they have chedder and sometiems you can get others form the Tomates (a restaurant on banana trail)
5. soy sauce - yes
6. is there any variety of chinese cooking paste like black bean & chili? no idea
7. absinthe - yes
8. Doritos esp. nacho cheese. - sometimes, buy likek 10 bags when you see them cause they only get them in once a month or so
9. Diet Coke - sometimes
10. white kind of rice is there? Korean, Basmati...? - not sure what kind it is but they have white rice.

__________________


AUA & Ross Forum Moderator

thank you...!