What would be a useful gift to give an American, going to live in Egypt from May until September?
My daughter is leaving for Cairo for 3 months, as part of her study of Arabic language. I am trying to think of some useful things to send with her.
Egypt - 10 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
egyptian money laptop homemade goodies
2 :
calling card
3 :
a fan, water, lol
4 :
A Summer hat just like this one ....seriously!
5 :
Necklace, or a camera as digital or such. Egypt is a BEAUTIFUL site so cameras will be useful.
6 :
i suggest you get her a laptop, a camera , a cell phone , and lovely cotton t-shirts , comfortable jeans and sneakers .pls remember a hat/cap to protect her from the sun. such gifts are practical and useful for your daughter in Egypt .
7 :
Hi, You must be so proud of your daughter (happy mother's day btw!) ~a camera of course ~I would bring whatever toiletries the girl uses everyday like.. anything she is particular about since it may cost more or not be available in her brand, etc. ~anti diarrhea pills and chocolated laxative, certain feminine products ~Quality trainers: Nike, Puma, etc. are more expensive here so If he needs new running or walking shoes soon I would get them at home ~Something to remind her of home. (cookies you baked, a photo, etc.) ~Emphasize the COTTON clothing! ~If she is bringing her laptop get her a plug adapter from any travel store found in a mall. the plugs here are 2 round prongs. Don't waste bringing curing iron or hairdryer.. won't work there. but her chargers for phones and cameras will work fine. ~Spending money if you can spare it.
8 :
sun block cab moisturizing cream long cotton cloth((i advice her not to wear shorts or Minny skirts)) noumber and location of her embassy antihistamine cream for insect bite pain killers for the period anti diarrhea's pills
9 :
Most of the essentials she will need (soap, shampoo, etc.) will be easily found here so no need to waste precious space in the luggage. Some things she will have a harder time finding, that I suggest you pack : over the counter medications. Tylenol, cold and allergy meds, first aid ointment, anti-itch cream (for bug bites). Because all medications are available without a prescription in Egypt (even antibiotics), there is not a huge market or selection of over the counter meds Americans have become accustomed to. In addition, those that are available are often not as potent as those in the States. So perhaps you could put together a "first aid kit" for her with travel size packets and bottles. That would be a useful gift. As for the other answerers who suggested a calling card or cell phone it is important to note that calling cards are not used that much from inside Egypt to call out. Depending on where she is staying a land line may be hard to even come by. A cell phone won't work unless, of course, you pay a huge astronomical roaming fee to your carrier. The mobile phones in Egypt operate on GSM. For 250 LE (approx. $45) she can purchase a phone and sim card upon her arrival here in Egypt. This will be better for 2 reasons: 1. Any incoming call she receives will be free, meaning you can call her using a calling card from your home and she won't have to pay anything for the call. 2. It only costs pennies (50 piasters) to send an international SMS (text message). Also again, incoming messages are free for her, so you can message her as much as you want. I would also suggest a good gift (and must have item) would be one of those Green Dot Prepaid VISA cards available at Walgreens or CVS. Don't waste your time with travellers checks - they are not readily accepted in Egypt and she would have to find an American Express or Thomas Cook office to change them into cash. With the Green Dot prepaid VISA she can simply use the card at any place that accepts visa, or she can make a withdrawal at any ATM. ATM's are everywhere and then she won't have to worry about exchanging money or carrying large amounts of cash. The withdrawals would be in Egyptian pounds and the visa network automatically calculates the currency conversion when it shows you your balance online. The fees are significantly lower with the Green Dot cards than with a regular ATM card attached to a bank checking account. I think it costs $4.95 per month to maintain the card and only a few dollars (or small percentage) for each overseas transaction. Anyway, it is less than the fees she would be charged to exchange cash at a bank or exchange office. If you need any more info you can feel free to email me through my profile.
10 :
I'M EGYPTIAN so please hear from me...... she should bring with her the fundamental things that i'll not talk about , but i'll tell u something better than stuffs anyone can guess she may need, first of all Egypt is a very safe country so dont be afraid on ur daughter,she may go out anytime she would like till 3am as she is in popular places. she must respect the feelings of egyptian who are almost muslim by wearing decent clothes, avoid talking with sarcasm about islam or any of the egyptian heros with egyptian or near to them ears. Egypt also has everything she could buy from the tin till the rocket so give her money with ur prayers to come back happier and better than she went. As i told you sir that Egypt is so safe and people (us are so friendly by the testimony of all tourists but also she may follow her sence and avoid any suspecious situations. Greetings from Egyptian boy You and all of your family are Welcome to Egypt TUT-ANKH-AMON :-/
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