No Microwaves or Refrigerators

Food
I never thought that food would be one of the hardest things to get used to here, but it is. It’s not as if I’m hungry or have a lack of food, but rather it’s the lack of variety that is difficult to get used to. First of all,there are no microwaves, refrigerators, or ovens (very rare). There are no can openers, measuring cups/spoons/graduated containers. All measuring is done via the eye unless you are smart and brought these things with you from the US. I have already found out that I did not bring enough cooking supplies, or for that matter food.

If I would be packing to come to Burkina Faso again I would forget clothes and toiletries and bring more food items.

You can find some items at a local store, the Alimentation (in regional cities) or at larger markets, such as some spices, unrefrigerated butter (I know gross), CHER canned fish and meat (Spam like products and normally housed in oil), some expensive canned vegetables, powdered chocolate, couscous, spagetti, flour, jam, black tea, mayonnaise, mustard, nescafe, powdered and condensed milk, oil (nice and unhealthy..no good canola or olive oil here), rice, salt, sugar, tomato paste, Laughing cow cheese, vinegar, yeast.

That is all the things grocery stores in Burkina Faso have to offer. Therefore the selection of cuisine is highly limited to carbohydrates and sauces. Almost all of my meals are mostly starch: bread, couscous, rice, pasta, to (similar to solid cream-of-wheat). The starchy food is eaten with a variety of sauces, some of which are similar to watered-down American sauces, while some of the other sauces are completely different. One meal I do enjoy is benga: which is basically rice and beans. Forget about storing leftovers because they will spoil with the heat. At the end I will list some great care package ideas/things to bring when you come visit me in Burkina Faso!

I really miss salads, as nobody really eats salads here, and if they do, the few vegetables are covered in mayonnaise. Needless to say, I am craving a large chicken Caesar salad. Also it is hard to eat enough protein here, as few dishes have good quantities of meat, and the meat that is served is often very gamey. So do not worry, I am getting enough food to eat, but after only 4 weeks I am already tired of the and am looking forward to being able to cook for myself. Last night I had a dream about a supermarket ahhhhh. Hahaha.

Products from the United States that are highly utilized in the kitchens of Peace Corps Volunteers. PCVs do eat better on weeks that they receive care packages!!! Sooo some good ideas:
-Peanut butter
-honey
-nutella
-canned tuna and chicken
-condiment packets (ketchup, McDonald's BBQ, Sweet n Sour, Honey Mustard, etc.)
-spice packages (ex. taco seasoning, ranch dressing, etc.)
-sauce mix packages (ie. Mac and cheese, etc)
-cheese: velvetta and parmesan and nacho
-trail mix
-dried fruit mixes
-mixed nuts
-applesauce
-oreos
-peanut butter m&ms
-dark chocolate
-twizzlers
-power bars/granola bars
-cake, cookie, and brownie instant mixes (ohhh and icings)
-maple syrup


When you send packages make sure to tape the box up really well so that the Burkinabe post does not open the package up. Also be nondescript on the customs form as to what is in the box. If you write anything, put that it is stationary and catalogs, haha.