Everyday things to bring if you're moving to Egypt. From hygiene to those x-rated in the bedroom kind of things.

I have lived in Egypt for just about 2 years now.  I have had so many women ask me about my life here, asking for advice, and tips I just thought I'd take some time out to talk about that tonight.

I live mostly like your typical North Shore Egyptian wife.  I eat 99% Egyptian food, take on (very happily and willingly I might add) the domestic duties of my family, dress, act, and talk (well-I'm working on that) an Egyptian. 

For me, this is my identity.  I am one of those people who very easily adapt to their surroundings.  I think I was raised this way.  My grandmother taught me a lot of old tricks and I have carried those with me through life.  Growing up in rural NE Wisconsin really set the stages for my life here in Egypt, I think.  We worked hard, cooked from scratch, and smiled at whatever was thrown at us.  

As I've stated in my earlier post about living in Egypt, life is much different here, but I call this place home.  Unfortunately, I was raised in a society which is slightly (OK a lot) more advanced in many things us women depend on.  I didn't understand that my first time out here.  While I did adapt, it wasn't always the most comfortable situations and I have devised a list of things to make life more comfortable here for women considering moving, or an extended stay in Egypt.

1. HYGIENE

• Bring a stock of tampons.  If you prefer tampons like I do, you're in for a not so plesent surprise when you come to Egypt.  They are very very hard to find, and if you do they'll be very primitive (cardboard applicator and one size fits all).  If you do manage to find them (available in some Metro Supermarkets) they're not cheap either.  Women simply do not insert things down there, this is basically because they can break your hymen making it difficult to determine how a woman lost her hymen at marriage.  I know it isn't quite fair, but that's just how it is.  When I came back in March I brought a 6 month supply with me, and now I'm running low. Either having a family member willing to ship them or ordering on amazon will be important if you really don't want to wear maxi-pads.
• Solid stick or gel stick deodorant is another rarity here as well.  Be prepared to bring a few extra sticks with you.
• Bring extra hair supplies.  Egyptian women have a different type of hair than European descendant women.  It is between that of European and African descendants.  This means what you normally use in your hair isn't readily available.  Mousse, hairspray, certain kinds of conditioners and shampoos, a variety of hair brushes, and hair dyes are not available in Egypt.  
• 3+ blade shavers.  We only have 1 and 2 blade here.  If you shave instead of wax bring a supply of blades or disposable razors with you.
• If you're any skin tone other than ghost white and wear foundation, bring extras.  You know how many pale skinned girls tan, well in Egypt those beautiful tanned skinned girls love to do the China Doll thing.  Extremely white foundation with bright makeup.  When I wear foundation it is nude or light beige, I couldn't find it.  What I ended up with was this really think cinema ivory white foundation that made me look like a zombie.  If that's not your thing, bring extras. 
• Lotion, lotion, lotion.  If you're prone to dry skin, or have skin conditions, bring your own lotion and moisturizers.  While we do have lotion here it is very watery and not the best in quality.  I use the Nivea face cream on my entire body to prevent cracking during the dry months (on the North Shore in summer it is HUMID).
• Lip-gloss.  I love lip-gloss and have found several halal brands that are really cute. Unfortunately there isn't any here.  I mean none.    I've searched 3 malls in Cairo and every cosmetic shop in Port Said Governorate and still couldn't find any. 

2. HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

• Oven thermometers.  Yes, not every oven here will have a thermometer.  I have a brand new one and mine doesn't.  Many, mine included, don't even have a temperature gauge on the nob.  I bake by guessing and I've become an expert but I know many are not.  Best bet is to bring a simple and cheap over thermometer if you plan on ever baking.
• Modern can-opener.  I don't use much canned food but when I do I'd really love a can opener that works.  We've tried several can openers from china that don't work.  The only one I have that does is an old fashioned baladi (local in Egyptian Arabic) can opener similar to the one below. 
  
• I do not suggest bringing appliances, even small ones.  Not because of airport security or anything, I brought a huge food processor in my checked luggage.  The problem is, in Egypt all electrical plugs run 220 volts vs the 110 volts most small appliances run on in the US.  You will have to find a step down transformer to run it and they are hard to find and can be costly.
• I've been asked several times about toilet paper.  Most people are familiar with the idea that we don't use it here.  Instead we use a bidget in our toilets to wash our backsides.  This does not in any way mean we don't have toilet paper, I just don't advise flushing it.  I was surprised after moving to Egypt how much water we waste in America from out toilets.  Here they're only filled just above the bottom of the bowl.  Unless you're flushing toilet paper they work great. But again, we do have it, I just suggest throwing it away over flushing it. 
• When it comes to household things, we have a lot, but think 1960's technology.  Anything electronic costs a lot and is hard to find, anything kitchen that is from after 1960 will be expensive.  Anything imported is expensive.  I advise you make a list of things you MUST have or can't live without and go from there. 

3. FOOD STUFFS

• Most bigger cities have Metro markets which cater largely to tourists and foreigners.  Much of what you're looking for you can find there.  If you're Christian and eat pork, I can't help you find that.  Unfortunately pork products are not sold here publicly.  They do exist but I suggest you ask around the Churches about where to obtain them.  
• Alcohol is another thing you won't find here readily.  Some of the more touristy cities have it but don't expect to find it anywhere else ( they also are very picky about you bringing it in with you in your checked luggage or carry-on).
• If you don't plan to eat Egyptian food bring a lot of money with you.  Imported and processed food is expensive, so are fast food restaurants.  Especially if you plan on staying for an extended period. You will burn through your funds quickly. 

4. MEDICATIONS

• Most prescriptions are available in Egypt, but under a different name.  I take insulin and while I can find novolog, I have switched to humolog because it has a higher temperature allowance for shipping purposes.  
• If you take certain anti-depressants or psychiatric medications bring extras, you will not find many in Egypt.
• If you take any long term prescription steroids bring extra, steroids are illegal in Egypt even with prescription so you will not find them at the pharmacy or... well anywhere except maybe a drug dealer and I do NOT suggest that. 
• Narcotics do not exist in Egypt.  No Vicodin, no Tylenol with codeine, no morphine (except in life and death situations), no percocet... Nothing like that is available here at all.  I was in Cairo, almost dying from pain (losing consciousness) and the best they could even give me was ketorolac (tordol) which did nothing for the pain.  I suggest if you take prescription long term narcotics to reconsider your move, wean yourself off ahead of time, or have someone ship them with prescription to Egypt.  Shipping is not advised though. 
• We do have ibuprofen (NSAID pain releavers and anti inflammatory drugs are common and can be obtained without a prescription: catafast, ketorolac, flamogen).
• We do have Tylenol and it is commonly found under the name Penadol and Adol.
• Cold pills that work the best are congestal (paracetamol 650 mg, cholrpheniramine maleate 4mg, pseudo-ephedrine hydrocholoride 60 mg).
• For upset stomach and diarrhea go to the pharmacy and ask for antinal.  It works wonders.
• Birth control pills are also available but I am not sure about what brands.
• You do not need a prescription for medications in Egypt as everything is legal.  

5. X-RATED IN THE BEDROOM STUFF (WARNING: If this kind of thing -sexual in nature-offends you please stop reading here! Not for small children.)

• Lingerie is available for all sized women in most local clothing markets throughout Egypt.  You can find basically everything from simple to exotic and erotic.  Remember, the best stuff (and often the cheapest) is in your local outdoor clothing market (bazaar).  We have an entire 10 streets running east to west here in Port Said just for women's clothing and lingerie items.
• Condoms are available at your local pharmacy and you can get 6 for about 1 Egyptian pound.
• Sex toys... No.  If you're into that kind of thing you will not find them here.  Not because no one has sex, simply because most Egyptian couples don't have 'that' kind of sex.  I have heard rumors that there were a few in Cairo but they were shut down in the time of Morsi.  I'm not sure if more have opened, but with the taboo of sex toys in the Middle East I highly doubt it. You can bring them with you though in your checked luggage.  They will not confiscate them, I assure you that.  I do not suggest bringing handcuffs with you though as the customs people may see this as a security risk and you might have them confiscated or at least have some interesting explaining to do. 
• Personal lubricants.  Whatever your reason for needing them, you won't find those here either. I suggest bringing enough with you or using coconut or almond oil. 

Now I'm sure there is some stuff I missed, so if you have any questions about what we have and what we don't, please feel free to ask.