Owlivia

18 hours ago, djett said:

Fred III is correct in that  "mummy tummy" must be treated with the local remedy which your guide will supply as it's over the counter in Egypt. Luckily we didn't have to use it. 

So "mummy tummy" is something that can't be mended with the OTC meds (antidiarrheal pink pills) that the R.N. recommended? She also gave a Rx for an antibiotic if the problem is severe. 

What about medical precautions? The Kaiser Travel R.N. recommends Typhoid (oral), inoculations for Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B; and Permethrin spray for clothing, as well as 30-35% DEET insect repellant. We will be traveling in April of 2019. Thank you in advance for any "buggy" input.

Thank you, again, to all who have taken the time to reply. I'm going to sign off.

Actually, this does bring up another issue. We've done Ocean cruises before - but that was apres le deluge of political inflammation (to mix my metaphors).

I note (too late, perhaps) that on the Viking River cruises there are exclusively tables for 6; none for 2-somes. I'm a strong introvert and I hate acrimony -- is this going to end up being an Endurance Trial for me? 15 days of people who want to talk/argue endlessly? Egads. Starting to hate the idea of going.

Hello again, and thanks to everyone who took the time to post their interesting and informative replies. I appreciate the input. We're not "grunge-y" types, and don't own any clothing with insignias, so on those points we should be safe. :) Speaking of smiles, I tend toward depression, so I'm safe there, too. ha! And my husband speaks German with relative fluency.

I shared Jane's experience in France because it was the most recent and troubling of "European adventures", and therefore had some concerns that it was a pattern throughout the continent. Frankly, one of my most heartfelt desires in taking a European vacation is to escape the incessant political talk and hostilities in my own country. People are so angry and so many friendships have ended (and I am unusual in that I have held on to friends on both sides of the divide -- so I hear the diatribes from every camp, world without end, and I'm just TIRED of it). But I digress.

Again, thank you bunches to everyone for their replies. May all of your travels be filled with joyful delights and your luggage always accompany you to every destination.

We will be traveling on a river cruise (Grand European) in May and I have heard from a friend who was in France last year that Americans receive a hostile reception by virtue of being Americans, and are incessantly drilled about our politics. Is this typical? Can anyone give me a report on their experiences recently? Thanks in advance.