Question / Answers & Discussions About Being a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin
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Re: Cooking/Nutrition
I brought a good (Henkle's) knife and was glad for it. The truth is that there is very little you can NOT find if: 1) you know where to look for it; 2) you have the money. There are a number of expatriates (French, US, Canadians, etc) who live there for years at a time and they need to acquire things from time to time as well.
Gardens are good. I lived in a larger city so my market was pretty full every day, all year, unlike those of smaller villages. I became quite fond of many of the local dishes that were readily available as well. Though just this past weekend my brother (who came to visit me) and I were talking about it and he, apparently, was not as fond of the food options.
What, exactly, is readily available varies pretty dramatically from town to town. As far as malaria goes, if you take the mefloquine as directed, you are not likely to experience full blown malaria. Though some argue that you get it, just with subdued symptoms. Several people I know refused to take the full dosage and/or at all. That is a personal choice. I didn't boil the 7-8 liters of water I drank every day and got sick from time to time. Choices, consequences.
A picture book of your hometown is often appreciated by anyone. It is something that is personal to you, representative of your country as well, and does not require strong English skills to appreciate.
Good luck and enjoy! 
Greg
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Replying to:
Hello,
I heard tupperware and spices are good to bring along - any other cooking supplies I am better off bringing with me?
The Lonely Planet guide raved about the cuisine of Benin and my Africa Cookbook (Jessica Harris) also mentioned the markets and included a few recipes. Is is true that eggplant, okra and tomatoes are available year round? In the rural areas is it common to have a kitchen garden?
Side issues: malaria meds - are there several options if you experience adverse side effects?
What would you suggest as a good gift for a host family? The PC Benin guide suggests a small token of appreciation like American candy, calendars, books or the like might be okay. Any tips?
Thanks again,
Anna
bravenet.com