Peace, Money and Harmony Hospital

Today I had the ‘As-Salam International Hospital experience’.

From many sources this hospital was described as THE place to go when you need a doctor.

Arriving on the dusty sand road just before you get on the little drive way to the entrance, I wasn’t too impressed to start off with. Especially when I had to scream at the receptionist because some builders were drilling in the wall in the hallway. But than, it was all good. After registration plus 210 pounds and watching the praying channel with the crowd, I had to wait 5 minutes before the Ear Nose Throat doctor could see the Ciccia. (At the ENT department BTW they don’t work with appointments, so you have to show up when the doctor starts his practice.)

The whole thing took me 2 hours and 15 minutes, this includes the drive to the hospital as well. The registration part took the longest, maybe because the bill had to be printed 3 times before they got my name right. In fact, everything went very smooth and I felt extremely satiesfied, nothing compared to my previous experience (Blog 8 Sept). Once in a while you need days like this living in Cairo. Maybe I was lucky? Back in the pharmacy I had to pay the contrasting amount of 1 pound 30 piasters for the eardrops.

And then across the pharmacy on the pavement next to the sandwich shop I saw this. Another contrast…

Doctor WHO

Let me tell you about my Doctor Story.

I needed to bring the Ciccia to a pediatric to have her ear checked ask some general questions. Since we just moved to Maadi, I needed to consult a new doctor. According to the HR Manager of Marito’s work, I made an appointment with a pediatric they recommended. Before I took off I did my homework well; double checked the address and times (I had an appointment after 16.00, strange during Ramadan).

Arriving at the address, I manage to find the name of the doctor between millions of name plates on the wall.

‘Dr. X,…. Orthopedic Surgeon’ I read. ?????!!

Anyway, I rang the doorbell to see what was going on. At the reception I had to pay 80 pounds straight up. Inside it looked like I had entered a Natural History Museum, Department Biology 16th Century. Some ancient tools and bone sculptures that could be worth a lot of money.

And yes, there was a doctor waiting too, also quite dated.

I told him I was at the wrong address because I needed to see Doctor X so and so, a pediatric doctor, not an orthopedic one. He told me he was Doctor X so and so an Orthopedic AND a pediatric too. ???! Before I could grab my phone he went straight to work, checked the Ciccia’s ear and answered my questions. Still I had the feeling I was in the wrong spot. But how do you explain that? ‘Sorry, your examination seems strange (he didn’t even look inside the ear with a light!) and your answers don’t make sense to me, can I have a refund please!!’

Alright, I just played the game along, asked for the bill and went out calmly. 'Maesalaama!' What a waste of time!!! Outside in the taxi my phone rang, it was the assistant of the doctor. She was trying to explain me something in Arabic – which I (level 2 student Arabic now) didn’t get. After ‘ANA MISH FAHMA’ and ‘MIN FADLIK, El DOCTOOR’, she put me on hold. After 10 minutes, I hang up, told the taxi to turn back and knocked on the door. Of course, no one answered. Aaaaah! I knew this thing had already started wrong. Anyway, I tried calling with my phone again. No answer.

Back home, I am still puzzled about the whole event. - Marito works in a place that could be called one of the swankiest hotels in Cairo, so I thought getting a recommendation from there wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Opening the bill to check the name again, I see that the names match but... discover that the doctor has written 70 pounds on the bill, instead of 80. Little bastard!!

So tomorrow I am going to the As Salam Hospital, unless anybody else has a recommendation haha!

H2O

When I came to Cairo, I discovered tap water here is quite evil. The first few times taking a shower I thought I was being intoxinated by the smell of bleach.
Take a bath, empty half of your bottle showergel in it and look!, after 5 minutes all your bubbles are gone. Need I say more that it is not advisable to drink from the tap here in Cairo. They say boiled tapwater is fine, so you can use it for cooking. I am quite extreme and think this water is overchlorinated and don't want my lovely food to soak up that horrible taste.

You can find some good tasty water here, there is a variety of choice. Just be sure to read the label on the bottle to see how much TDS (Total Dissolved Salt) is contained. If the level is more than 200, do not buy it. That level is too high. To be safe, stick to water that has the least TDS as much as possible. Dasani for example has a TDS of 16o. Aqua has 272 (better not to drink too much of that) and Siwa 197 (just on the edge)

The prices of water vary a little, but they more or less cost the same, with the difference of a few pounds. The last time, in June when I ordered a box of Aquafina I paid 24 pounds a box. Dasani and Nestle are almost the same price I think. Siwa is a little cheaper. Today I did my first order with them. So straight from their store and not through a supermarket.
One box of Siwa: 20 LE. Delivery costs: none. Their number: 19409 (they speak reasonable English!) Order was done this morning and they came after 20.00 (because of course....Ramadan) I am not sure how long it normally takes them. They didn't charge me for the delivery, I don't know if that is normally the case (I ordered ten boxes).

Metro (19619) and Alfa (19299) of course also deliver water, check with them which brands. They have a small delivery charge (I think around 4 pounds). The small local supermarkets usually don't charge for delivery, but involve some Arabic skills and of course don't foget the baksheesh(tip) ...!

Hidden BBQ

Walked past O'Beano's. It all seems like it was before, all the chairs and tables at the terrace back in place. (Blog 27 Aug)

A few benches missing, but I guess they are still at the police station?
Oh well, it is Ramadan, who wants to worry about that?!

Alright I am off to have a bbq now.

(Lynda, this is our kitchen view, We usually hang out here, since there is a lot of shade. Most of the time we sit on the stairs, although our chairs are a lot more comfortable. On the right, not on the picture, a very tall banana tree. There is a very modest bbq and the ventilator (left) next to it to get the barbie started -> haven't found excellent BBQ fire starters yet...)

I told Marito, for lunch maybe we should cook the fish in the oven since it is Ramadan. Our 'terrace' is on the other side of the house where hardly anyone can see us. We are not out in the open, but still...
I don't want to offend the bawaab who, every now and then, walks around the house. And my landlord who might have his window open. Marito told me I should cut it out now. At least I will pour wine in mugs. Am I being silly??

Btw, I read in one of the Dutch newspapers online interesting piece on 'commercialization iftar parties' in The Netherlands. Written by 'Farid Aouled-lahcen. For those who can read Dutch have a look on: http://extra.volkskrant.nl/opinie/artikel/show/id/1329/Stop_subsidies_voor_festivals_rond_ramadan

Can't sleep. Bloody firecrackers, why do they do that??? Is it a Ramadan thing?!

Heba

Moslim-Barbie 'Salma' already existed. It became a great hit.

I came across this doll in the Alpha Supermarket. There is also a jeans wearing version. They cost: 25LE

So thirsty

The first day of Ramadan was actually a breezy one.

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Somehow with the change of the month, it seemed fresher outside.

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El Hamdulilaah, El Hamduliaah, I have been waiting for the summer to end.

For me this first September morning did not start smooth. After a hectic, sleepless night and morning (ear infection baby; I had to drive her around in her pram, it seemed the only way to fall asleep), I finally manage to go out for a few hours to my Arabic lessons. No breakfast, no tea just like millions of Muslims here in Cairo. Except, I didn't choose to do so because of my hurry. On my way to school I am starting to feel VERY thirsty and quite hungry...and grumpy.

I can not help looking at everyone else. With so many Islamic people around in Cairo, it feels odd not to be fasting. I hope I am not staring too much. They must be so thirsty... I mean with the idea of not being able to drink day. How do they work with an empty stomach all day? How do you do that?! I read on a website somewhere that very strict Muslims don’t even swallow their saliva during Ramadan.

Drinking or eating in public is very much NOT DONE during Ramadan. At ‘school’, (CSA, Community Services Association; a non-profit organization) there is a change to eat or drink in the garden. Outside on the terrace I see people drinking coffee. Here at coffee shop Grecco’s no fasting what so ever, there is even a huge line of people ordering food and drinks. But since I am late already I decide to wait because I don't want to take coffee in the class in front of my fasting teacher. During my class I can not help thinking, ‘How does she do it??!’ Teaching with such energy while you are faint of hunger and craving for a drink.

My head has already started pounding with just a few hours without liquid. Aaaah!!, I need a drink. After I have gulped down half a liter in the back yard of CSA, I get a taxi and go back home. The taxi driver is humming along the religious radio channel. The poor man's head is covered in sweat. Driving around in this heat, fasting. 'Man, how do you do it?!', I think. I get out and great with ‘Ramadan Kareem’, (‘Generous Ramadan’).

Having never lived in a Muslim country before, I must say this Ramadan really occupies my brain. I am amazed of the devotion to their religion. I was raised as a Protestant. In my hometown people attended church once a week, one hour on Sunday. For the very religious ones, in the morning and afternoon. As I child I didn't think too much of it. In church many (elderly) people fell asleep during the service and others were sharing peppermints. In some cases if the preacher would go on too long, people would start looking at their watches. So being in a country where people pray five times a day, it makes you think.

At home I see the sun coming down, watching from our roof. And I hear the prayers from the minarettes, the fourth prayer. Hardly any noise from down in the streets. What is happening to Cairo? Iftar has started (the first meal after the fasting). Everyone is eating drinking, making up from what was not possible during the day. I wish I could be on Tahrir Square (one of the busiest squares in Cairo), just for a moment to see what is going on downtown. I thought it would all be mad. I still have to go out and explore more.