Packing List

While I realize most people who are reading this aren’t going to Senegal, if someone does stumble upon this and is going, here is a list of this I I’m glad I brought and if packing again, I wouldn’t bring. And of course, the old packing adage remains true, pack half the clothes and twice the money.

Good things to bring:

Quick dry underwear. You wash your own and this can make the difference between mildew or not, I recommend ex officio underwear.

Steak knife. Fantastic for cutting a mango or just about anything. You never know what you access to use the kitchen is.

Nalgene water bottle. This is great for filling up when at reliable water sources (for me Baobab center). Everywhere else you can buy water.

Whatever swimsuit you want. I figured modestly would prevail at beaches too, but really you could wear a string bikini. I would prefer a two piece because then you don’t get so much sand stuck in it.

Febreeze. You certainly don’t wash your clothes (at least not skirts) every time after washing them, and febreeze can really stretch things out)

Tampons

Batteries, very expensive here

Flashlight. Seriously. Bring one, and then bring a head lamp too. Seriously.

Chinese type paper fan. It’s a God send in a hot classroom where the power to the one electric fan just cut out.

Spaghetti strap tank tops. Totally fine to wear, and sometimes its just too hot for much more

Flip flops, you’ll almost never wear close toed shoes, and if you need too, you might as well just go to HLM once you’re here and then buy some for 4 dollars.

Pens. The pens here freaking suck. I have no idea why, but they always break, except for the bics which are expensive.

A gift for your host family. Anything is ok. Really. Even if you think it is ridiculous or will never be used, the Senegalese always no someone who could use it if they can’t. Though candies, a map of your home country/ city and candles are typical or popular gifts anything would work. (candles are rather functional too, since the power is often cut)

Conditioner- very expensive here. Also a good host family gift.

Duct tape- when isn’t useful?

A few granola bars to hide away after too many fish and rice meals.

Zip lock bags

Pepto/ Immodium- Anti diarrhea medicine.

Fiber- Senegalese diets has very few fruits or vegetables and sometimes you swing to the other extreme and have constipation.

Leave it at home:
Shorts that go much further than an 1 inch or 2 above the knee, there’s never really a time where they are worth it or appropriate.

Mosquito net- they can be bought here, treated with permethrene already for only 10 dollars.

Skirts above the knee- just kind of inappropriate. As my host mom said, you can just sit easier the longer the skirt is.

Jeans- They take too long to dry, and are considered “very sexy” for women, though you will see women wearing them. At most, one pair.

Overall for women and clothes, they can be tight (some of the jeans and skirts here look like they were painted on) but have them be longer.