Surprise Delivery In Paramaribo 🎆📦🎆 feat. Monkey-B
Yesterday I got an email notification letting me know some packages from the USA had arrived here in Paramaribo, Suriname.
On The Road Again 🚴
I had planned to get the packages secretly and surprise the family, but Monkey-B sensed something was out of the ordinary. She requested to join me, and I tried to refuse as creatively as possible, knowing the it would be nearly impossible to ride the bike with her and the packages onboard.
Feeling my plan had been more or less foiled, and with Monkey-B beginning to throw a fit, I had to let her join me. After all, she's always allowed to join my bicycle adventures, so she knew something exciting was going on because she couldn't join me as usual. So I hit the road with Monkey-B unsure of how I'd manage everything once we picked up the packages.
Mission Partially Complete 🕵️
Until we arrived at the Rapid Imports, I convinced Monkey-B we were just going to a distant market to get a whole wheat baguette. She's been to the place before, so once we turned down the road she immediately knew what was up. With the cat out of the bag and around 35kg on the front of the bike, Monkey-B had to brace the bicycle for a selfie before hitting the road.
A Caiman Sighting 🐊
Riding the bike home with Monkey-B and the packages was a difficult task, but when I spotted a mini dinosaur in the canal, I had to loop back around for a photo. After almost crashing the bike and looping back around, I was surprised to see I hadn't spooked the caiman. I kept taking pictures as I got closer until it leaped into the water. Can you spot the mini crocodile?
Selfie At The Hydration Spot 🤳
Our neighborhood has some really low quality fruit and veg, so when we passed a little outdoor market, I wanted to purchase a few things even though I wasn't sure where they would fit. Luckily I was able to nestle the bag behind my seat and in front of Monkey-B. We stopped at an abandoned warehouse with some free shade for a hydration break and one last selfie before surprising the family.
🎆📦 SURPRISE 📦🎆
Arriving home, we noticed Srey-Yuu and Sreypov weren't sitting outside, so I parked the bike around the corner to hide the packages. With Monkey-B's help, we created a diversion that allowed me to sneak the packages into the house for a family surprise.
Sreypov and Srey-Yuu were quite shocked, so I guess the mission was a success. With a cleaver in hand, Sreypov began cutting her way into the packages.
With the top popped, we all took a moment to marvel at the treats from abroad. Most of what we have shipped to us is edible because we hope to leave this country one day, but our luggage is already maxed out.
Despite this, I still included some non-edible items for everyone, and Sreypov was quick to notice a PacSafe purse I purchased for her. After that we began diving in deeper to reveal more treasures.
Due to the high food costs here in Suriname and the lack of variety, I was glad to see the multivitamins I had ordered for my daughters were in the box. There was also gluten, TVP, nutritional yeast, and even a card game to learn more about the countries of the world. My Mom even put some items in there I hadn't ordered, most notably a teddy bear for Monkey-B.
My mom also surprised the @KidSisters with some nightgowns, and we were very happy to see $500 USD had been smuggled successfully.
Bluetooth headsets and new iPad cases were among the items I had ordered to surprise the kids. Two huge jars of raw cashews and some protein smoothie powder rounded out this air freight treasure chest.
I realize we are missing out on many of life's opportunities here in Suriname, but being stranded abroad doesn't mean good memories can't be made. It makes my day when I see my three lovely ladies smiling, something that doesn't happen as often as it did in Cambodia, our former home.
We are glad to have some new items to play with in the kitchen and on the floor. Hive is partially responsible for this package, so that means all of you who've been smashing the upvote button on my posts are responsible for this family surprise and ensuing smiles.
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Makes me smile seeing the girls happy face and so much surprises from grandma. And cash in a package!!lol I’m so glad the package arrived in one piece!!!
It's not the first time we've smuggled cash, but I don't get any less nervous each time. If we had to make a new culture here, the days on which we receive these packages would be national holidays. I guess what I'm saying is receiving packages is a pretty big deal, only happens two or three times a year.
Happy Surprise
!PIZZA
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Always a well-received one, thanks for the digital snack.
very pleasant.
They are very happy to get a gift that has so much content inside.
This is a great way to entertain your family.
Thank you for sharing, I really like to see it, what else is your trip using a bicycle.
Great.
It was a bit difficult cycling with the heavy load, but the smiles at home were well worth it. Thanks for stopping by my friend.
oh, that's absolutely right.
The smile in the house makes us very happy.
I am incredibly excited for you. There is joy and excitement in getting a surprise and joy in presenting the surprise.
Lucky Monkey B as she got to experience both. Let this be a symbol of good things on the way! Enjoy your treats!!!!
Monkey-B is not exactly good at keeping secrets, but she's got a heart of gold. I do hope brighter days are coming real soon. Even though I'm not big on holidays, Christmas in the USA this years would be a nice achievement, especially for all the family we could meet in one place without having to travel thousands of miles all over the country.
It's always nice to receive packages, whether it's things you bought yourself or if you've received it as gifts. There's something fun about the unpacking hihi
And yeah, we don't have a lot of snack options here, let alone vegan snacks 🙈.
We've been going a bit cashew-crazy lately, and the nutritional yeast is our secret umami ingredient. We feel like kids in a candy store when we received air freight packages.
Cashews are amazing! Pricey here though, so we usually enjoy them when we receive them from family abroad and had no idea that yeast had that effect. I should look into it.
I know what you mean... When I used to receive office supplies from headquarters (used to work in another building far away from HQ) I almost jokingly exclaimed "Santa send presents!" 😂
Good things happen to good people. Seeing happy children always gives me a warm feeling in my heart. 😊
We definitely have a lot of rough days here, especially after being here several years against our will and wishes. So I agree very much, when I can make the kiddos smile and forget the stress they constantly see on my wife and I's faces, it completes my day and warms my heart too.
In Jamaica we would say “barrel come”. Always nice to get a package from overseas. It’s kinda hard to get things from Jamaica here unless it’s fedex or DHL.
The organic wheat is for making bread? I was wondering if it was some oats cereal business. Glad to do everybody smiling and the éliment of surprise at play. Cyaah catch Monkey-B with that 😂
I know about the Jamaican barrel game, funny how that is very uniquely Jamaican thing. There are some Miami companies that take and ship barrels to Suriname, but it's definitely not the go-to kind of container for sending items here.
The gluten is isolated wheat protein, pure gluten. It can be made into seitan or other meat-esque type things. Monkey-B is starting to get a little better with her secret-keeping abilities. Bless up!
Gliding through this post from top to bottom, makes me feel the kind of joy you guys are having. I'm glad the smuggle went trouble free and everything is safely reached to the family. Those big smiles from everyone radiate through my keyboard and pass it to me. Totally made my day... oh wait...night.
Well that was quite a poetic compliment, I am honored. Air freight is fairly affordable here from Miami and Amsterdam, so any Dutch or American goods can easily be imported for okay prices. We are still rolling in an abundance of cashews.
Hi hi .. wow.. unboxing has always been fun.... Especially going there to collect the parcel and then finally opening it.. Monkey B sure loves you company.. her expression when she's on the bike.. the best thing in life is to be with our family.. seeing them happy...😃😃😃 I love reading family related or couple related writings..
It's like WWIII if I try go anywhere on the bicycle without Monkey-B, but I'm usually smart enough not to try and do that. Especially when she is busy studying, no bicycle trips are allowed. Thanks for your kind words my friend.
Hi hi morning morning Justin .. hahaha.. your daughter is just so cute ... I can imagine what she does if you don't bring her out on a trip. It's fun to have kids around.makes our day fun. 😃😃😃
This is a really nice post, jammed full of that typical Caribbean "feel good" factor! and I certainly felt it √
!PIZZA
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Give thanks and bless up my friend. The mini dinosaur sighting was the highlight of the day. It was located right in our typical water lily picking grounds too, so I guess we need to keep our eyes open when picking water lilies.
I have to be honest ~ There is absolutely no way that I would go anywhere near water that had even the slightest possibility of containing a creature that could easily bite my arm off.
I guess you have slowly learnt to live in harmony with dangerous wildlife 🤔
!PIZZA !LUV
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