The Logistics of Settling In 139is one type of artificial sweetener but individual packets of
that are rarely available in restaurants. If you are addicted
to Koolaid, Gatorade and Crystal Light, try changing your
taste to a local drink mix or bring a bunch with you. Instant
coffees are stocked, but individual bags for brewing a cup
of coffee are not. If you must have brown sugar, maple or
corn syrup, shortening, chocolate chips, cream of tartar,
pecans and mincemeat—bring them with you. Don’t forget
your favourite cookbook! Another tip: if you find a particular
grocery product on the shelves one week, you might not find
the same thing for some time. It appears to depend on what
gets through customs and how often. It is sort of like shopping
at Sam’s Club in the US (except for the sizes)—you never
know for sure what you will find from one time to the next.
For example, I like a kind of canned soup. I was so excited
one day to find it on the shelves at the Metro market where
I usually shopped. So, I bought one or two cans (more than
enough for what I would use that week or the next). I forgot
that once that case of soup was gone, it might be some time
before I could find some again. In fact, it was a couple of
months before another shipment arrived on the shelves.
Household Supplies Kitchen and
Bring whatever favourite kitchen utensils you think will make
you feel at home. There is nothing worse than not having your
favourite things in the kitchen, especially if you have to cook
every day. Now this doesn’t mean you should transport your
whole kitchen! In fact, the older I get, the more I am in favour
of just getting everything there! It is easier and not terribly
expensive; besides that way, everything works with the
current. Many flats will come with minimal kitchen supplies
and you can always supplement these in Egypt. I am now in
favour of buying all small kitchen appliances when you get
there unless your appliances are wired for 220 current. If you
are coming from the US, remember that your appliances do
not have the right current for Egypt. If you insist on bringing
your own small appliances, such as toaster ovens, toasters,
coffee grinders, coffee pots, microwave oven, mixer, food
processor, blender, etc., from the US, remember to bring