18.03.04 - 17:00

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i should explain that i'm a list maker. i love feeling organized (especially since, in practice, i am not.) so, for you,

A LIST OF HIGHLY SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING TO MAURITANIA

sleeping bag. i'm going on record here. out in a broussier part of the country, annika and i used our sleeping bags every night for at least 2 months. yes, it does get that cold. and they are ten trillion times easier to travel with, if you need to. (we needed ours to get to our regional capital.) so while many will say not to bring them, i am glad i brought a sleeping bag.

passport photos. you will need at least 10 for all sorts of things. they're annoying and expensive to get here.

a couple good flashlights. even if you're in a city with electricity, you will need to use a flashlight occasionally. bring a spare, as one will assuredly get lost or broken. thinking of a headlamp? be forewarned that they tend to malfunction within six months, although they can sometimes be fixed and are quite handy for reading and such. bringing a maglite? remember extra lightbulbs! bring many!

a good, comfy (travel) pillow and a set of cool sheets. you do not want to sleep on the rock hard pillows and plastic sheets offered here.

a stand-alone mosquito net. the ones the peace corps gives you must be tied to something, and can occasionally be ruffled by the wind (or your leg) such that insects enter.

koolaid, crystal light... something to add to make a tasty cold beverage. when you drink upwards of four liters a day, bleached water loses its charm. so bring a lot. and remember that sugar is plentiful here...

journals. pens. (the ones here suck eggs.) write.

western style clothing that you can wear on vacation to other, less conservative countries, or can just wear around americans here. heck, bring something that makes you feel sexy. you'd be surprised how good it feels after swathing yourself in shapeless cloth for months on end. guys and girls.

a softball glove, because we know you're going to play at next year's WAIST.

many pairs of sunglasses. it is bright here. very bright.

american stamps and envelopes! send your mail home with someone going to the states! it is so much cheaper and more reliable.

measuring cups and spoons, spices, simple recipes. you'll want to cook, probably american, sometime. if only thanksgiving or christmas...

many pictures of family and friends from home. one of the pasttimes for visitors in mauritania is to look at the photo albums of their hosts. it's a great way to remember the people and places you miss, as well as show mauritanians your little slice of american life.

gifts for host families (stage and site): i prefer giving fruit as a gift, which is both nutritious and a luxury. but some good gifts from america are pens, magazines, inexpensive jewelery, and toy cars.

a camera. digital or film? i can't give a lot of advice... if you are in a city with electricity and access to computers, a digital camera is great. really great. but if you're in a rural site, like me, it can be impractical. (no place to charge, no place to download.) so if you want to bring a digital camera, think about bringing a cheap standard one as well...?

tons of batteries and film - both things can be bought here, but the quality is severely lacking. and think about rechargable batteries - electric or solar.

a toothbrush cover. you do not want sand coating and bugs writhing on something so intimate to your mouth.

a small backpack/daypack to carry your "school supplies" during stage and work supplie/groceries after

2 wide-mouthed hard/clear plastic Nalgene bottles. they will be treasured. wide mouths are easier to clean and the hard and clear plastic is heartier and does not retain flavor.

home-baked chocolate chip cookies. no, not for you, silly! to give to me!

THINGS YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT NOT TAKING

work boots or other big shoes. they take up lots of space and you never really need them. sandals and a pair of closed-toe sneakers are all you need.

a copy of the koran - there are about a million here.

a big french-english dictionary - the peace corps provides you with a large larousse one. but maybe think about a pocket-sized dictionary?

tons of clothes - have them made here! especially if you think you want to dress native. however, there are also good tailors in nouakchott who do a very good job making western-styled clothes too.

tons of books - bring a couple favorites, or have some sent to you, but know that there are some pretty substantial peace corps libraries here.

home-baked cookies with raisins - i do not like raisins in my baked goods. try substituting dried cranberries or chocolate chips!

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