Please, Mr. Postman...

We've been hearing from several people about care packages, so we figured we would dedicate a single post to that subject.

Our Address:
Leslie Ann Shaffer Chamberlain, PCV
Nathan L. Chamberlain, PCV
Bayankhongor Soum Governors Office
Office #158, 2nd floor
Bayankhongor aimag, Mongolia
(VIA CHINA)

FACT: Yes, PC Mongolia can be a little rough.
FACT: Though we have very little variety in food and it will get insanely cold, we have
everything we need to survive!


Notes on best ways to send packages:
1. Always write VIA CHINA at the end of the address. PCVs in Mongolia have had quite a bit
of difficultly receiving packages when this is not used. The fact of the matter is, packages end up in other "M" countries. For some reason, no one knows where Mongolia is, expect for Chinese, I guess.
2. Tape the box well! You don't want the chance that anyone could go through it easily!
3. Be careful about listing things like electronics or DVD's on the list that goes on the box. It's
an easy target for people to steal out of a package.
4. Save yourself money! Always use USPS FLAT RATE BOXES! I can't emphasize this
enough! The other options are ridiculous and astronomically expensive. I've been told that
you can literally save over $75 by just shoving as much as you can into the flay rate boxes. Anything over 8 pounds and you are saving a fortune!
5. With that in mind, don't use any other postal service for packages other than USPS. They are all too expensive. My father had a package priced at FedEx (I believe) for over $300! They sent it in a USPS flat rate box for $38. We received it with no problems in about 10
days.

The following is a list of wants. We are not in need of anything, but, care packages are GREATLY appreciated! Also, if you choose to send a care package, don't feel you must ONLY send these things. We like surprises! Most importantly, we adore hearing from you!

• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Peanut butter
• Movies on DVD (if you know Kevin Chamberlain, contact him for the wish list)
• TV Series on DVD (once again, see Kevin for list)
  
• Independent & Documentary movies (if you are my brother, Stephen, this is for you! Anything you like, we'll like!)
  
• Baking dish
• Bobby pins
• Dried Fruit
• Duct tape
• Gladware
  
• Coffee (ground, not beans)
• Emails
• Hair ties
• Letters
• Razors (Mach3Turbo, Venus)
• Solid shampoo
• Socks
• Lotion (we're near the Gobi, it's real dry here!)
  
• Vanilla
• Fragrant Candles
• Fabreeze (We don't have a shower. We bathe in a bucket. You get the picture.)
• Curry
• iPod speakers (nothing fancy. I had some in the states that cost $8)
• Curry powder
• Baking powder
• Jello Instant Pudding
• Brown sugar
  
• Hard Candy
• Cinnamon
• Nuts
• Music (Ryan, this one is for you)
  
• Pictures of my niece and nephew! (THIS IS A MUST!)
  
• Zip lock bags
• Books that seem interesting
  
• Pens that are not from Mongolia
• Powdered Drink Mix (crystal light, etc)
• SHEET MUSIC (note: Musician friends. You can either scan music and send it via email, or copy and send in a care package, if you choose)
• examples: Anything from Singers Anthology, First/Second book of Sop/Mezzo/Alto/Tenor/Bass Solos, 24 Italian Songs, Musical Singers Anthology, Richard Hundley, our site mate wants us to do a Glass piece (he’s a pianist and big into 20^th century) and good choir music such as Randall Thompson's Alleluia, Sing me to Heaven, etc.

Thanks. We miss you.