Taking Care

Growing up my mother was a nurse in geriatric homes and my step mother a cosmetologist. Having two mother figures in my life I have gained some benefit from both women and I believe it helps me in my day to day. Part of preparation for hijrah is taking care of yourself. This is sometimes the one thing we neglect. If you have health issues big or small please prepare to have all the things you may need to deal with those issues if something should occur. This may mean having an extra supply of your medications, or daily vitamins. To avoid delays going through customs make sure these things are in the original bottles with the labels. If possible leave the pharmacy description sheet attached to the bag it came in. My advice is to travel with a copy of your immunization and medical records for everyone traveling. Depending on the type of visa you are requesting a complete physical with blood work maybe required. It must not be more than 3 months old. There should be no worry about receiving care here Medina has many hospitals, clinics,and pharmacies that can assist you with your medical needs. The doctors in nurses often speak some English. If you are diabetic, asthmatic, epileptic or have an health issue physical or mental contact your primary physician you see currently to get any travel recommendations. Be aware of the extreme heat conditions Medina can have and how it may effect your health and take proper precautions. Once arriving in Medina find the local hospital or clinic in your area so that you are aware of it's location before any emergency.
Hair and skin care should also be a focus for many women when deciding what to pack. Many women over time develop a daily or weekly routine with their hair and skin. In America there is the convenience of beauty salons, I am not aware of any beauty salons here in Medina. So many women manage there own hair or rely on a close friend or family members to help with hair styling and etc. Beauty supply products are endless here from dyes to perms and hair lotions. The malls are filled with stores like Bath and Body, Lush, MAC and others where you can buy the things that you may need. With this in mind find a product that works for you. Become familiar with your own skin and hair needs. My skin is very dry and flaky so I prefer natural oils like coconut,almond and vitiman E oils. You can by this in a natural form or products that have them. If you have a product that you just have to have bring as much as you can until you find the alternative here. Bring your favorite flat irons,curling irons and blow dryer. Saudi offers two electrical outlet systems 110 and 220. This means that items from America can be plugged into the electrical jacks here with out a converter. Learn to braid and cornrow with girls it can be a lifesaver. Some women decide to go natural. In this day and age when we are learning everyday about the dangers of so many products and the toxins they provide many have decided to lean towards natural hair and skin care. For women who have processed hair speak with your hair dresser about her suggestions on maintaining healthy hair on your own and hair care reference books that you may want to purchase. In our home my teenage daughter and help each other by doing one eah others hair. Practice makes perfect soon you will be doing your own hair and feel like you just step out of the salon.