Packing... Take 2

I'm trying to do my best packing as much as I can but remembering keeping in mind weight limits, what I will and will not need, and advice from packing lists, people who have or are currently in Benin and also some common sense. On my last post about packing I received a comment from Sarah, a current volunteer who is in Benin, and she gave me some great advice. Thanks so much Sarah! It really helped me out. I've already gone back and looked at what I was intending on bringing and added some things or decided against some, particularly in regards to clothing and food. I hope you don't mind that I'm posting this, but I thought that it would be useful for others as well.

Here's what Sarah had to say:

I don't know if you even want any advice, but I'm a current volunteer in
Benin and I think I can help ya a little on packing. Why am I writing this?
Because there's a slew of things that I only wish I had brought here when I
first came:
1)great gifts: oober-cheap pocket knives and multi-tools (walmart, $5),
walmart $5 watches, and key chains.
2) Mac and Cheese = GREAT IDEA... except you can get noodles here, so just
bring the cheese packets and instructions.
3) Vacuum sealed tuna and chicken = REALLY GREAT IDEA!!! They also have
crab and other meats like that. Protein is sometimes very hard to get here, and
often when you do get it, it's hard and not tasty. Packaged meat will be looking
pretty good after your training.
4) Dehydrated food is also good. They make single serving, pre-flavored
mashed potato packets that are wonderful!!! Also, those rice-a-roni type things
are cheep and delicious! Don't forget your sweet tooth though: if you need
chocolate chip cookies, bring the chocolate chips. Granola bars are a great
thing to pack. Protein bars are good to have on those days when all you can find
is corn or rice or fried ignams. I like the Snickers protein bars.
5) If you don't know how to cook now, don't worry. A lot of people learn
here. PC will issue you a simple stove-top and 2 gas bottles. Good things to
have in the kitchen: Glove-shaped pot holders (1 for each hand), metal and/or
heat resistant plastic spatulas, nice knives (1 big, 1 small is good).
6) another great idea is kool-aid/Crystal light packets! Don't forget to
get sugar free!... after all, you won't be seeing a dentist for 2 years (unless
there's a problem)!
7) Seasonings: Italian Seasoning is great to have! Also, Garlic salt and
some kind of meat seasoning. Any other favorites should be brought as well,
especially if it's a spice mix. Speaking of though, ranch dressing spice packets
are good to bring, along with Italian dressing packets, if that's your thing.
Dressing goes great with everything!
8) Bring a good number of bras. The bras and underwear sold here are super
crappy, and hand washing is hard on everything, so be prepared.
9) Packing clothes: Make sure shirts are at least 2 to 3 inches in the
strap area, and that they cover your mid-drift in back and most of your cleavage
in front. Pants/Skirts: Must cover your knees sitting down. I wear capris and
knicker-style pants all the time. Part of training will be wearing appropriate
clothing, so choose wisely.
10)PC will tell you to bring dress shoes, but DON'T!!! You will never need
them and never use them. Any volunteer will tell you this. SAVE THE PACKING
SPACE!!!
11) PC gives you several crappy sheets for the bed they'll give you (a
single), but the sheets are really crappy, and none of them are fitted. My
advice: Bring a fitted sheet at least, and maybe even a matching top sheet. If
you really want to plan ahead and you know a single bed won't cut it for 2
years, then go ahead and buy the sheets for a double (DBL mattresses purchased
here run about $100.)
12) Think of your favorite comfort foods, and pack them! A lot of people
like to bring peanut butter from home, even though local peanut butter is an
alternative with a slightly different taste. Note: In Cotonou you can find
snickers, kit-kat, twix, almond joy, mars bars, skittles and usually
M&M's.
13) Okay, this one is last because it IS the least. ...This is one of my
peevs, but you might find it useful: your diet will be different over here,
which will probably cause your body to change. A big thing that's really
bothered me, personally, is all the hair I've lost. Now, PC DOES PROVIDE
VITAMINS FREE (and note, I didn't take them for most of my service), but at this
point I wish that I had brung special vitamins, specifically hair and nail
vitamins, for this problem. I know this list is long and you're leaving soon,
but I hope it helps.
Also, keep in mind that you might be able to collect some things from
volunteers (like myself) that will be leaving as you guys come in. I was just
reading how your bags were light, and, as mentioned before, I couldn't help but
think of all the things that I wished I had brought in that extra space I had.
Good luck, and I look forward to meeting you soon!