Thursday, May 25, 2006

Packing List

Read me before you read the list:

When you're packing remember that you're not going to the moon. You're going to a country where people live. They might not live in the conditions you're used to, but nevertheless they survive. This being said, your packing will not affect your survival. I promise. Pack for comfort. Packing is stressful, but don't go crazy. If you don't have the habit of using a particular item in the states, don't bring it. You probably won't use it here. Example: if you don't run in the states, don't bring running shoes... you're probably not going to start running here.

Regarding clothing, don't go and buy new things. People wear clothes here (despite what you may think) and you'll be able to have things tailored without much expense or effort. Do bring SOMETHING to wear, but don't go crazy like so many of us have in the past. I brought WAY too many clothes. You're NOT packing clothes for 2 years. However, when picking clothing, prefer light weight cotton things. One would think it's because of the heat, but truthfully it's because it's a heck of lot easier to hand-wash light weight cotton things. Jeans are an interesting conundrum. I personally like wearing jeans, I also personally hate washing them. They are durable, it's up to you though.

Certain things aren't on here on purpose, other things because they were forgotten. A towel is something that was left off on purpose. You'll find that you can pay 700-1500CFA for a pagne (piece of fabric, but so much more) that dries twenty times faster and is useful for a thousand other things.

Regarding technology. It's nice to have, and you'd be surprised at the novel solutions you'll find to recharge your devices if you have no electricity. (People in villages with bars will sometimes arrange to plug their devices into their private generator). If you have a cell phone that takes a SIM card it might be worth investigating if it's tri-band (a "world phone") and bringing it. Phones run about $50-$70 here, and cell phone coverage is becoming fairly common.

This packing list is only a list of suggestions. If you bring everything on here, you'll probably be over your weight limit.

If you hate this list, check out Theresa's Packing List.

Survival

• 2 Quality water bottles (Nalgene)
• Headlamp (that takes AAA or bigger batteries, the watch batteries are expensive and you can't find them)
• Batteries for headlamp
• A few packs of water-proof matches
• Pocket Knife, Leatherman, etc. (Packed in checked luggage, of course)
• Shortwave radio
• Duct tape (1 - 2 rolls)
• Hairbrush, comb
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant (lots! Not easy to find, and not cheap here)
• Shampoo/Conditioner (expensive and low quality here, if you can even find it)
• Watch (if you're into that sort of thing)
• Thermarest (really, really nice for when you visit other volunteers)
• 2 pair anti-UV sunglasses (sunglasses are everywhere here and cheap, but not so great for the eyes)
• A FEW good books, magazines (FEW, there are extensive PCV libraries in all the workstations... don't waste pounds!)

Clothing

• Favorite T-shirts (3-4, or more... but t-shirts are everywhere here)
• A few button down collared-shirts, blouses (semi-professional, but still casual...) TEFL Should bring at least 2 professional outfits for teaching
• 2-3 pairs of pants (Your preference)
• 1 dressy outfit (for parties, dinner with officials, fundraisers, etc)
• 1 pair dress shoes
• Nice, comfortable shoes (Keenos, Tevas, Chacos, Rainbows)
• Lots of underwear (if you bring packs, save one or two to open a few months into service... or on a bad day! Nothing is better than new underwear)
• Sweatshirt (it actually gets cold during Harmattan)
• Windbreaker / Pancho (when it rains, it RAINS)
• Bathing Suit (There are swimming pools in Cotonou, Parakou and Natitangou)
• Clothes for clubbing (if you're of the clubbing persuasion)
• Hats, scarves, bandannas

Technology

• Digital Camera or Normal Camera + film
• USB Flash drive (PC will provide one, but it's nice to have a backup)
-or-
• Extra Memory Card for Digital Camera and appropriate card reader
• Blank CDs (available here, but much cheaper in the states)
• Laptop
• MP3 Player (iPod) or MP3-CD Player
• Portable battery powered (or not powered) speakers
• Batteries (Rechargeable + recharger) or lots of real ones
• Transformer (not necessary for most items, most chargers/adapters are dual voltage...)

Kitchen

• Comfort food (Pringles are available here!)
• Pepperoni, Bacon (non-spoiling, pre-cooked is available)
• Starkist foil packed crab, chicken, shrimp (easy protein source)
• Energy bars
• Seasoning packets (ranch dressing, taco seasoning, pesto, etc)
• Macaroni and Cheese (seriously, you can save space by leaving the noodles at home)
• Simple in a pack meals (soups)
• Drink mixes (Crystal Light, Kool Aid)
• French Press / Ground Coffee
• Good knife
• Garlic Salt (it makes everything taste so good!)
• Pepper Grinder
• Spices (most can be found here, but if you're into certain ethnic foods...)
• Ziploc bags (very useful)
• Tupperware, Ziploc "one use" food containers
• Plastic juicer (if you're into juice, which is really expensive here)

Miscellany

• Dictionary (English, a French/English dictionary will be provided)
• Pictures from home (digital are great, photos are even better)
• Frisbee, Nerf football, baseball glove/baseball
• World Map / Map of Africa
• Media (movies, tv shows)! DVDs are great, things in DiVX or XViD are awesome. Seriously. Please.
• Guitar / Harmonica / Musical instrument (if you play or want to learn) + Tuner and Strings (I forgot strings, and kicked myself when my G-String broke)
• Nice pillow (pillows they sell here suck, although you do get used to them)
• Money (large denominations are easier to change at the bank, but Nigerian money changers will take anything)
• Decent pens

Special Considerations

• 3 month supply of prescription medication (birth control)
• 2 Pairs of prescription eyeglasses
• 3 months supply tampons, pads, or whatever you please (some recommend "The Keeper")
• Liquid hand sanitizer
• Specific branded medical supplies (if you can't live without Bayer, bring some... otherwise you'll get generic aspirin)
• Contact lenses and lots of solution (PC doesn't recommend contacts and doesn't provide solution. Additionally, solution hasn't yet been located in country. It doesn't exist. Bring a lot.)
• Non-DEET mosquito repellent (if you're allergic to DEET)

Gifts for Host Family

• Candy (my host family LOVED Cream Savers)
• T-shirts
• Nice Pens
• Photos of you (they're great going away gifts)
• Nice flashlight
• Maglight (that takes AA or D batteries)
• Beauty supplies (lotions, makeup, fingernail polish)
• Jewelry
• Black dolls (all dolls here are blue eyes/blond hair... they'll get a kick out of a doll that looks like a "real person")

Nerdy Stuff

• CDs with software you can't live without
  + SNES Emulator and ROMS
  + Video Games
  
• USB Video Game Controller
• A USB hard drive filled with media (tv shows, movies, mp3s) also useful for storing digital pictures

Things you don't need:

• Cans of Tomato Paste
• Pasta/Couscous
• Chicken Bouillon
• Cheap Sandals
• Powdered Milk
• Boxed Wine
• Instant Coffee (Nescafe)
• Lipton Tea
• Sweetened Condensed Milk

This all I could come up with. There are lots of other things that would be nice

This website expresses the views of Lyle Kozloff, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States Peace Corps or any other institutions herein named or linked to.