Traveling to S. Africa -- Need advice (military)

Are you really going to build a bridge? That's pretty cool

A little clarification:

I'm not building a bridge. Mainly just wanted an offering. The Marines stationed there know the area better than anyone else. I will be working at the embassy, and have been told to make friends with them immediately. Technically, they aren't allowed to accept gifts -- but if it's something small that may be a small slice of America that is difficult to get abroad, they aren't sticklers for it.

I have access to secure ATMs, internet, currency exchange, people to help me book trips out and recommend places to go/etc.

Was wondering if anyone did something awesome there (besides buy blood diamonds and smuggle tigers back, both of which I plan to do) and knew about it.

Saden -- mind expanding on this one? Make sure your pants belt has notches before and after the current notch you wear it at.

A little clarification:

I'm not building a bridge. Mainly just wanted an offering. The Marines stationed there know the area better than anyone else. I will be working at the embassy, and have been told to make friends with them immediately. Technically, they aren't allowed to accept gifts -- but if it's something small that may be a small slice of America that is difficult to get abroad, they aren't sticklers for it.

I have access to secure ATMs, internet, currency exchange, people to help me book trips out and recommend places to go/etc.

Was wondering if anyone did something awesome there (besides buy blood diamonds and smuggle tigers back, both of which I plan to do) and knew about it.

Saden -- mind expanding on this one? Make sure your pants belt has notches before and after the current notch you wear it at.

I wanted to know that one myself, but not sure I was old enough........

I did a month long Euro trip back 2005. I ate something bad on the first leg of the trip in the Netherlands and I couldn't keep food down for a few days. Then walked a shit ton in the Paris and southern France. The last week and half I spent exploring Italy and I couldn't eat a lot of food on restaurant menus because I'm allergic to tomatoes.

I was size 40 waist and on the last notch on my belt at the beginning of the trip. Between getting food poisoning, walking a shit ton, and not eating I lost about 20lbs and my belt became no good. I searched endlessly for size 38 belts allover Italy with no luck. Needless to say my pants were on the ground looking like a fool the last few days.

Moral of the story is waistlines expand and contract so leave room for it on your belt. Also, size 38 belts are for fatties and regular stores don't carry sizes above size 36 in Italy.

Gotcha. I probably should. My current belts are on the smallest notch and still don't fit =(

I did a month long Euro trip back 2005. I ate something bad on the first leg of the trip in the Netherlands and I couldn't keep food down for a few days. Then walked a shit ton in the Paris and southern France. The last week and half I spent exploring Italy and I couldn't eat a lot of food on restaurant menus because I'm allergic to tomatoes.

I was size 40 waist and on the last notch on my belt at the beginning of the trip. Between getting food poisoning, walking a shit ton, and not eating I lost about 20lbs and my belt became no good. I searched endlessly for size 38 belts allover Italy with no luck. Needless to say my pants were on the ground looking like a fool the last few days.

I'm think late night INFOMERCIAL "Last Notch Diet Plan". They take a week off from work while they suffer from food poisoning from the bad chicken which come with the program. Second week they take a bill which makes the allergic to their favorite food. In weeks 3 to 5 they do a shit ton of walking but we under play the actual walking part because we know people are lazy.

Easy way to establish a rapport with the Marines; Bring your best Obama joke, tell them about Fox news' Obama/ Osama screw up Sunday night and let them know you're a sports fan. Regardless of the team they each root for it'll break the ice, learn all you can about the lockout, it'll be a common topic.

Fox Anchor's On-Air Gaffe: 'President Obama Dead' (VIDEO) (http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7lkQBcNNGSMAGPBx.9w4;_ylu=X3oDMTE0bGtxZHB sBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA01PQjAwMl83M g--/SIG=130kadumo/EXP=1304648048/**http%3a//www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/02/fox-anchor-obama-dead_n_856299.html)