I have been checking my email about once or twice a month. I encourage you all to get on my email list or subscribe to the RSS feed so you don’t have to check back.
I of course welcome email, and I will do my best to get back to you ASAP!
This is my number:
(229) 66.16.28.60
229 is the country code- and there are no area codes. I don't have a message machine on my phone, and I do not receive American texts. So... keep calling.
I will most likely call y'all and ask you to call me back, because phone calls here are out the butt expensive. If you want to talk to me, I would recommend getting a service like Pingo, it's the cheapest my family has found for calling internationally. You can also use Skype, but it's pricier.
Letters are really the most reliable way to contact me right now if you aren't into phoning. I've been loving the letters, thank you so much! SEND MORE!!!!!!!
This is my number:
(229) 66.16.28.60
229 is the country code- and there are no area codes. I don't have a message machine on my phone, and I do not receive American texts. So... keep calling.
I will most likely call y'all and ask you to call me back, because phone calls here are out the butt expensive. If you want to talk to me, I would recommend getting a service like Pingo, it's the cheapest my family has found for calling internationally. You can also use Skype, but it's pricier.
Letters are really the most reliable way to contact me right now if you aren't into phoning. I've been loving the letters, thank you so much! SEND MORE!!!!!!!
To write to me use this exact address:
Michelle Mussett
Corps de la Paix Americain
B.P. 45
Afrique de l’Ouest
You may get some letters from me saying that my mailbox is 145... apparently nobody can really remember what the proper box number is, but it doesn't really matter because the post office man knows us all. Anything that you have sent or will continue to send to my Cotonou address will be forwarded to me through Peace Corps!!!
ABOUT MAIL:
ABOUT MAIL:
Mail in Benin is much slower and generally less reliable than that in the U.S.
I will undoubtedly be sending lots of letters to y’all, and they will be numbered and dated. Expect them to come slowly and out of order.
ABOUT PACKAGES:
Padded envelopes are THE BEST when sending packages because they are cheaper for me and for you, and get here faster. If sending any food items, put them inside a ziploc bag so they don't get eaten by...things. Packages should be sent via air, not surface mail, which takes an entire lifetime to go anywhere. Write 'Air Mail' and 'Par Avion' on the outside. It's also a good idea to write 'Dieu te regarde', because then it arrives faster. Theft is unlikely, but possible, so please don’t send anything too valuable! And please keep in mind- if you send a big box, I will have to pay tax to pick it up from the post office. There are generally no taxes for me if you use a padded envolope, unless it's like super heavy.
I will undoubtedly be sending lots of letters to y’all, and they will be numbered and dated. Expect them to come slowly and out of order.
ABOUT PACKAGES:
Padded envelopes are THE BEST when sending packages because they are cheaper for me and for you, and get here faster. If sending any food items, put them inside a ziploc bag so they don't get eaten by...things. Packages should be sent via air, not surface mail, which takes an entire lifetime to go anywhere. Write 'Air Mail' and 'Par Avion' on the outside. It's also a good idea to write 'Dieu te regarde', because then it arrives faster. Theft is unlikely, but possible, so please don’t send anything too valuable! And please keep in mind- if you send a big box, I will have to pay tax to pick it up from the post office. There are generally no taxes for me if you use a padded envolope, unless it's like super heavy.
WHAT TO MAIL: (these are just ideas!!) (updated Oct 29, 2011)
letters, letters, letters! short is okay!
pictures of what you're doing
food that won't melt, dried fruit, crasins! those dippy cheese/cracker things you ate in elementry school
Shannon got this really yummy powdered organic potato soup sent. It was like a big envelope, and it was incredible.
canned crab so I can make yummy yummy crab cakes
non perishables like pop tarts, lara bars, ho-hos and other hostess cakes, oreos, mac and cheese (cheese packets only, there are plenty of noodles here). velveeta, (ANY KIND- good for perking up pastas and sad meals)
gatorade/ crystal light packets (hot season....it's not good guys)
fruits snacks, skittles, and crispy m&ms
powdered falafel mix
tiny packets of jam that you steal from breakfast diners
i'm really into salty things- so corn nuts, salty trail mix
trashy magazines, like People, Lucky, or Martha Stewart!!!!!!
data CDs with kindle/sony reader books on them, or mix CDs with awesome tunes
MOST IMPORTANT AND MANDATORY:
hugs and love!
MANY thanks! You have hearts of gold!
