Packing Tips for PSL 24

I just found out that there's a Facebook group for Peace Corps Benin PSL24 -- the next group of volunteers coming in here.  (Sidenote:  How crazy is it that we've already been here 9 months?)  Reactions:

A.  YAAAAAAY!!!!  Congratulations, yall, we're SO excited to see you!
B.  Holy $*%^, you've got a lot to pack.

Based on my vague memory of the 6 weeks before departure, I'm guessing that you're freaking out a little bit.  Googling packing lists, cross-referencing stuff you find on blogs, shopping stores you've never considered looking into before (personal examples: NorthFace website, REI, and Chaco's), and having personal meltdowns at the thought of finding the perfect all-weather underwater solar charger/multitool combo.

Because you don't have enough information to sort through already (how about those visa forms?), here's my must-haves.  I'm also going to edit the Benin packing list they email out, mainly because it still includes a Walkman and is written entirely in Comic Sans.  Gross. 

Without further rambling, my list of things you should definitely/definitely not shove in those 80lbs of luggage.

Technology

• Don't bring a $150 solar charger.  Most of us have electricity, and that's easy to have sent once you get your post.
• TEFL: Bring a watch.  Nobody's on time ever, but you'll want it anyway.
• If you bring a computer, BRING BACKUP MEMORY.  Africa murders technology, especially Macs.
• If you've got a camera, bring extra batteries and memory cards.  There's a pattern here somewhere.
• A battery-powered handheld fan, like $10 at Target. I didn't bring one, and I was supremely jealous of my friend's during stage.
• Wind-up flashlight (battery free) and a headlamp.  Headlamps are awesome and make you feel like a Ghostbuster.
• Speakers!  Especially TEFL.  Go to Bed, Bath and Beyond, but check them before you buy them.
• Swiss army knife.  Is that technology?
• Duct tape and superglue.  Duct tape is definitely technology.
• Extra headphones.  I brought 4 pairs.

For the ladies/pretty boys/people who wear clothes: 

• OPI nail polish holds up best. 
• Bring makeup and cute clothes/shoes -- you'll want to feel hot sometimes (in the non-chaleur way), and Tevas just don't do it. 
• Fake wedding ring and Photoshopped pics of you and a random guy to show people when you travel (mine is of me and Keith Urban.  Be creative!). 
• A massive bottle of conditioner, because it's expensive.
• Likewise, tampons.
• Black linen capris, and at least two professional outfits.
• Professional shoes. Not necessarily heels, but leather sandals are much better than Tevas -- I bought a pair of Born sandals, and the other profs love them.  Plus, they're really comfy.
• BRING VITAMINS.  Your hair will start falling out because of the malaria meds, and you'll lose way more if you're not taking a multivite.  (The ones the med office has are worthless.)
• Rain jacket.
• Extra glasses!  Really cheap ones at zennioptical.com
• Swimsuit, but don't spend years finding an "appropriate" one.  A non-string bikini works.
• Stickers for your helmet -- they're a point of personal pride.  Mine has a fake flower glued to the side.
• 20+ pairs of underwears.  That's for one year (they wear out quickly).  Have Mom mail 20 more at the 1 year mark.

Home Stuff:

• Fitted sheets.  Oh my god, fitted sheets.  And steal the blanket from the plane. 
• At least one good pillow.
• Lots of stamps.  And if you bring envelopes, keep them in a zip-loc so that the humidity doesn't kill them.
• Thermarest or yoga mat.  Absolutely necessary for traveling.
• Two boxes of Zip-locs, one gallon-sized and one normal-sized
• A journal or a notebook or something.  Even if you don't write, it's nice to have a log of all the really outrageous stories/conversations you accumulate
• Good pens, as the ones here suck.
• Little bug spray to keep in your purse for mosquito-related emergencies.

Food! (and Kitchen)

• Lots of spices and vanilla.  Like the economy bottles.  Plain rice is only interesting for about 4 seconds.
• Worchestershire sauce.  See above.
• Imitation butter flavoring!
• A handful of drink mix packets... really easy to mail too.
• A good can opener, sharp knives, and a pepper grinder.  No, really.
• Rainy day gifts for yourself, like M&Ms.  You can't overstate the power of a bag of M&Ms on a really bad day in Africa.

Don't Bring:

• Clothes that have to be ironed or dry cleaned
• Socks if you don't do exercise
• Expensive solar-powered stuff
• Too many books (we have a good library, but bring 1 or 2)
• French grammar books
• Towel... well, okay, here's the deal: they take forever to dry in the south, which is where you'll be for stage.  Bring a quick-drying one, or wait till you get here and we'll help you buy a pagne to use.
• Sticky tack.  It rips paint off of the walls.

We'll edit the packing list as a group and post it soon.  In the meantime, good luck, du courage, and email me with questions!