My Personal Import/Export Biz, Part II

I travel a lot between the US and Europe and am always carrying things back and forth that cannot be purchased one place or the other. Previously, I listed a few items which I often carry from the US to Europe. Here is a short list of things I buy in Germany to bring to the US:

Like-a-Bike (children’s push bike)

If you have small children, or know anybody who does, you have got to check out Like-A-Bike. It is a wooden push bike without pedals, beautifully designed for children aged 2 to 6. Forget tricycles (three-year-olds can never push the pedals) and training wheels, with a Like-A-Bike kids learn balancing skills and will soon be zooming around. Don’t forget your running shoes in order to keep up.

Beer

Micro-breweries have improved the beer choices in the US significantly, but I still always bring along one or two bottles of German beer on every trip to the US. Yes, there are beer distributors in the US which carry German imports, but at $50 or more per case the price is a bit prohibitive. I usually bring over Weissbier, a beer made with wheat and yeast, a speciality of Bavaria.

Down Quilts

Yes, down quilts can also be found in the US, but I find the German ones to be fluffier and thicker with higher down quality and more down and less feathers. Of course, you also need to buy the German quilt covers (instead of sheets) since the sizes are different. But there is nothing better than sleeping under a thick down quilt.

Of course, I always have chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, but most of the main European brands are available readily in US supermarkets. Chris has already mentioned his love of European office supplies, which I don’t necessarily share, but perhaps I have been away from a US office for too long and don’t appreciate what I’ve got.

What European products do you crave but can’t easily get?

Image from Hanua.army.mil