Anyone have any gift ideas?

[blueterrapin]

Please forgive me if I'm posting this in the wrong place.

I will be visiting Kiev briefly in September of this year, and as a woman traveling alone with minimal knowledge of the languages I contacted another woman through a different site who's agreed to show me around a bit (she would like the opportunity to practice her English, and she will help me with Ukrainian in addition to teaching me about her city).

This isn't a paid service, and she's giving her time without expectation of anything in return except for the chance to practice her English. I was wondering what I could bring as a small gift from the U.S.? I am very excited to visit Ukraine, but I admit that it is a little intimidating for me. Having someone from there willing to help me out a bit means a lot to me, and I would like to show my appreciation. I am from Minnesota, and I thought about bringing wild rice (a local item very unlike typical white rice), but maybe that's not the best idea. Local maple candy, or Hershey's candy bars, perhaps? I'd rather give something useful as opposed to just a dust collector. Any suggestions would be most welcome!

[AkMike]

Typically they like things from your area that shows you've taken time to find something special.

Syrup doesn't seem to be liked much for some reason. I love it on the bilini's though. Most candy there is made with dark chocolate and they have some of the best made there in Kyiv. (Try a box of 'Kyiv Nights" by Roshen)

Take lots of pictures of your area that shows how you live and such. They love to learn about different areas of the world.

If this were a man I'd suggest gettting a 'leatherman' tool . Those have been very appreciated by everyone so far. Try looking around for a table top sized book about your area. Or Channel #5 is always a winner but it'll be cheaper in the airport gift shops in Amsterdam, ( Personal experience) assumeing you'll be flying from Minn/St Paul. That's my normal routing anyway.
Kyiv is a great big city full of very nice sights. Lot'sa history!! Make sure you stroll Kreshatic on a Sunday and get the hstory of the staues in the square. See the view from the Freindship bridge nearby. Go to the WWII museum under the Iron Maiden and possibly a boat ride on the Dnieper.

Since this is your first time there I'd also suggest that you get a small russ/eng dictionary as well as a copy of the russian phrase book from lonelyplanet.com (about $10USD) It will help a bunch! Even after 8 years going there I still carry mine.
Enjoy!

[ElenaUkrGuide]

Hello Blueterrapin,
As a gift for Ukrainian woman I would suggest you to bring some exotic (for Ukraine) fruit as a pineapple, mango or papaya, for example. The lady of any age here would be pleased to get some good American cosmetic set. It would be also nice to bring some picture of calendar of the place where you live.
Sincerely,
ElenaUkrGuide

[Pitter Pen]

Bring them Iphone 4G. Just kidding
Pineapple, mango or papaya could be bought in most of stores now. So people may not believe you carried them all the way to Ukraine that spoils the spirit of the Elena's present idea, I think. Following Elena's idea I am thinking now about marshmallow that kids like to fry on fire, a baseball glove or ball must be also cool things for boys.
Thinks also about the city you live in. It must have some sights. If there is a plant that produces pencils then a pack of them and some story about the plant should make them a special gift.

[olgaashley]

To Ak Mike
Why are you suggesting Russian phrase book. This is Ukraine. I know that they speak Russian in Kiev but Ukrainian language is the language of Ukraine. I have a Ukrainian/English book and use it without any problems. Also, if you go into other districts of Ukraine e.g. Western Ukraine, it will be useful without any problems.
Olha

[AkMike]

Thank you Olya.
I spend most of my time in Central Ukraine. Kyiv and Cherkassy mainly and there it's mostly Russian. I do have the Ukrainian/English version also.