Culture Shock! Egypt - A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

136 CultureShock! Egypt

medicine you need, the pharmacist will gladly recommend

medication based on what you tell him/her you need it for. If

you do know what medicine you want to buy, such as a type

of antibiotic, be prepared to give the pharmacist the generic

or chemical name of the medication. Do not count on being

able to find the brand named drug sold in your country of

residence. Those who use oral contraceptives or hormone

replacement therapy should bring their own brand since local

pills may cause side effects due to different compositions

or dosages.

Baby Supplies

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you will be significantly

more comfortable if you bring spares with you to Egypt, just

in case you break or lose them. At the very least, bring a copy

of your lens prescription with you. Egyptian optical shops are

sometimes difficult to find and often have erratic hours, but

you can get both single and bifocal lenses replaced. Small

repairs are relatively inexpensive and most optical shops can

accommodate you.

When you try getting something like glasses replaced,

remember that it probably means you will be operating

on Egyptian time. So, if you should break your glasses

and actually need them to function, you could be out

of luck for some time. The alternative, of course, is to

Safety Tips

„ Find a good doctor before you need one.

„ Learn the numbers to call in an emergency.

„ Learn where the hospitals are and which one you

would want to go to in an emergency.

„ Check with the Embassy for a current listing of doctors

and hospitals.

„ Bring spare glasses and/or contacts.

„ Bring prescription medications with you if you must

have a specifi c drug.