From home country bring only foreign currency permitted. Do not exceed limits. A credit card with chip and pin is invaluable.
Carry only required money in pocket. Bulk funds/TCs/Passport etc to be kept in safe custody.
Carry only one Credit/Debit Card when moving around. Better use Debit Card, if needed. Keep in mind you pay for every transaction by way of low conversion rates by Banks.
If senior citizen use rail card and similar privileges. Find out from locals or information is available on the net for rail and coach cards. Carry a photocopy of your passport.
Purchase gifts for home only towards end of stay and always keep in mind weight limits. Airport shop(Duty free) in India and Dubai etc are cheap. If changing flights ensure not to buy liquors at starting point as at intermediate change station you will not be allowed to carry liquids over 100ml in a bottle. Do not buy gifts for home as everything is available cheaper than here.
Charity shops have small knick knacks at fraction of the cost-good for presents at home
Don’t be a miser but also do not throw money around. Seniors usually are thrifty. Good for them.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Monday, 2 February 2009
Health - senior citizens in particular
Inspite of a nominal health insurance (which is rather costly) personal health is the biggest worry for GPs when they travel abroad.
Open any baggage of incoming GP at airport and you are bound to get tons of medicines, churans and other local herbal remedies. Away from mother country you cannot approach a Doctor unless you are covered by Insurance. Post-60s one needs it most. So best is to keep fit and remain healthy.
Broadly we put it in two categories- food/drinking habits and physical fitness. We can share information and benefit from each others personal experiences . Caution IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL THAT ONE PERSONS MEDICINES OR EXERCISES CAN BE APPLIED TO EVERY ONE BLINDLY. So do please tread with caution when trying out something new.
Food - Native food habits at times may not be best suited for a foreign location and you cannot always carry your home packets everywhere. My suggestion is innovate, accept variation and be flexible in adapting new dishes/drinks without being blind copycat.
A few things which helped us are:
-Try stores like ASDA/TESCO/Foreign grocery shops- you will always find some things similar to your native ingredient. We go for greens, frozen fishes( these are frozen within short time of catch so are very fresh when cooked.
- Choose the category (VEG/Fish/Lamb meat/Poultry )and seek help from others to try foods of the land
-Don't hesitate to enquire/read cost and ingredients whatever is chosen
- Do not always convert local costs with your native currency- you may remain hungry.
- Take plenty of liquids i.e. Juices, water and light wines/beers only if necessary. In colder climate we tend to drink less
- Eat timely and eat well to remain healthy. A menu we generally adhere to is --- MorningTea, Breakfast of Cereals/Muesli/ Oats, Wholegrain bread which also has seeds in it. Once in a while try Mooli/Alu Paratha with oil on one side, Frozen Corn boiled and add Ginger/Green chillies and Dhaniya leaf and lime juice if required . In the food section of this blog we will look at the Breakfast choices.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
-Long walks ( keep your complete address, phone no . Some money and change, local Taxi numbers, Police and Hospital numbers, and neighbours no in your pocket). Before start plan your route with local help, dress well, carry umbrella/raincoat if needed, Have very comfortable shoes(not new). A mobile phone is necessary. Don't be afraid of asking for help from a policeman.
These tips have helped to make our stay, outings and shopping here easier and more enjoyable. Please feel free to add your comments and tips about anything you have found very useful and helpful in easing your stay here.
Open any baggage of incoming GP at airport and you are bound to get tons of medicines, churans and other local herbal remedies. Away from mother country you cannot approach a Doctor unless you are covered by Insurance. Post-60s one needs it most. So best is to keep fit and remain healthy.
Broadly we put it in two categories- food/drinking habits and physical fitness. We can share information and benefit from each others personal experiences . Caution IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL THAT ONE PERSONS MEDICINES OR EXERCISES CAN BE APPLIED TO EVERY ONE BLINDLY. So do please tread with caution when trying out something new.
Food - Native food habits at times may not be best suited for a foreign location and you cannot always carry your home packets everywhere. My suggestion is innovate, accept variation and be flexible in adapting new dishes/drinks without being blind copycat.
A few things which helped us are:
-Try stores like ASDA/TESCO/Foreign grocery shops- you will always find some things similar to your native ingredient. We go for greens, frozen fishes( these are frozen within short time of catch so are very fresh when cooked.
- Choose the category (VEG/Fish/Lamb meat/Poultry )and seek help from others to try foods of the land
-Don't hesitate to enquire/read cost and ingredients whatever is chosen
- Do not always convert local costs with your native currency- you may remain hungry.
- Take plenty of liquids i.e. Juices, water and light wines/beers only if necessary. In colder climate we tend to drink less
- Eat timely and eat well to remain healthy. A menu we generally adhere to is --- MorningTea, Breakfast of Cereals/Muesli/ Oats, Wholegrain bread which also has seeds in it. Once in a while try Mooli/Alu Paratha with oil on one side, Frozen Corn boiled and add Ginger/Green chillies and Dhaniya leaf and lime juice if required . In the food section of this blog we will look at the Breakfast choices.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
-Long walks ( keep your complete address, phone no . Some money and change, local Taxi numbers, Police and Hospital numbers, and neighbours no in your pocket). Before start plan your route with local help, dress well, carry umbrella/raincoat if needed, Have very comfortable shoes(not new). A mobile phone is necessary. Don't be afraid of asking for help from a policeman.
These tips have helped to make our stay, outings and shopping here easier and more enjoyable. Please feel free to add your comments and tips about anything you have found very useful and helpful in easing your stay here.
Computer - a must in today's life?
Our view is this is essential, it helps in so many ways:
To network with friends /relatives at home and in new place
To get travel maps, locations , bookings, best way /time to plan journeys, cheapest tickets etc.
Buying things on eBay- it can be fun but be careful with the credit card
Movies- latest blockbusters
Blogging – It can be fun and educational too.
Knowledge base- whether it is cooking, medical, sciences or any topic under the sun . It's your great opportunity to learn new things with facilities which are available here but not so accessible back home e.g. easy broadband access.
Video/Pictures exchange, books and discussions about anything
Video chatting with friends/relatives
To network with friends /relatives at home and in new place
To get travel maps, locations , bookings, best way /time to plan journeys, cheapest tickets etc.
Buying things on eBay- it can be fun but be careful with the credit card
Movies- latest blockbusters
Blogging – It can be fun and educational too.
Knowledge base- whether it is cooking, medical, sciences or any topic under the sun . It's your great opportunity to learn new things with facilities which are available here but not so accessible back home e.g. easy broadband access.
Video/Pictures exchange, books and discussions about anything
Video chatting with friends/relatives
Tips to settle down in a new place
Some main areas requiring adjusting:
Adjust biological clock- follow time and customs of new environment
Review your relationships with next generation, be positive and accept changes
Eating and (more important) DRINKING habits- adjust as required
Dry and single bathroom -have to adjust
Compensate for physical inactivity – long walk, gardening, house cleaning
Credit cards/Cash handling
Social norms and nurturing own needs and idiosyncrasies
Clothing/shoes-must match your travel/living and social environment and conditions
Do not be critical about anybody or anything. Let others live as they wish
be aware of social requirements and responsibilities
observe the laws of the adopted country however brief your stay
Adjust biological clock- follow time and customs of new environment
Review your relationships with next generation, be positive and accept changes
Eating and (more important) DRINKING habits- adjust as required
Dry and single bathroom -have to adjust
Compensate for physical inactivity – long walk, gardening, house cleaning
Credit cards/Cash handling
Social norms and nurturing own needs and idiosyncrasies
Clothing/shoes-must match your travel/living and social environment and conditions
Do not be critical about anybody or anything. Let others live as they wish
be aware of social requirements and responsibilities
observe the laws of the adopted country however brief your stay
A typical day in our life here
-Pranayam/exercise
-Spend as much time as possible in remembering God (or till household comes awake)
-Try hand on new/quick breakfast acceptable to all
-Childcare/cleaning/gardening
-Long walk (weather permitting)
-Lunch with advance planning for dinner
-read/snooze/TV/Movie on DVD
-Walk with Child in pram
-Exchange notes with tired parents giving them space for personal interaction
-Weekends depend on Working couple’s plans or you be on your own and travel availing weekend offers
-Spend as much time as possible in remembering God (or till household comes awake)
-Try hand on new/quick breakfast acceptable to all
-Childcare/cleaning/gardening
-Long walk (weather permitting)
-Lunch with advance planning for dinner
-read/snooze/TV/Movie on DVD
-Walk with Child in pram
-Exchange notes with tired parents giving them space for personal interaction
-Weekends depend on Working couple’s plans or you be on your own and travel availing weekend offers
Why leave the familiar home environment
Often, the main reason is the grandchild/grandchildren.
To stay with own offspring and enjoy the family growing together
boredom and loneliness in post retirement life at home
You like travel and seeing new places
To stay with own offspring and enjoy the family growing together
boredom and loneliness in post retirement life at home
You like travel and seeing new places
The Purpose of this Blog
For networking GPs (not doctors but Grand parents) living abroad for whatever purpose.
Exchanging tips, views and ideas to make life more fulfilling in this new environment
Exchange views on subjects such as travel, cooking, available facilities/concessions etc. - generally anything of interest
If feasible to set up support and networking groups to travel together, meet if practical and exchange views over anything and make new friends
Provide moral support, if required.
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