Domestic Diva

That's me! :D  Believe it or not! [G cooks and I clean]
No, the real reason I chose that title is because, whilst doing an internet search for a cleaning service in Cyprus, I came across this business and phoned the lady - who has excellent reviews. Sadly she can't help me as she is having a short break.

My blip is of the garden at ground level. There are a lot of stray cats which are actually fed by the Municipality for their hunting prowess and keeping the rat population down! All the restaurants around us must attract some vermin!

So... my day began with a visit to a GP at a new clinic; chosen as it is close to home (and work) and employees of certain companies in the World Trade Centre get a discount. The doctor I saw was nice and after hearing my story of already having consumed three bottles of cough syrup, and antibiotics, gave me a prescription with three things on it i.e. a cough suppresant inhaler, an expectorant, and antihistamine. I thought some of it was a bit much, but hey - what do I know? I left the clinic happy to have found a good GP not too far from my door step.

This could be a bit long - so read it if you would like to know the quirks of collecting prescriptions in this very unique place...

I headed off home to go to the Pharmacy next door to get my medicines. Figured it was only fair, as it was someone there who insisted I visit the doctor. Now, I am aware that all countries have their own rules and regulations about dispensing drugs especially ones of a "controlled" nature... I was surprised to find then, that I had one such medicine on my prescription which complicated things immensely because it then meant...

1. ALL the medicines listed had to be bought at the same time in the same place (if one is not available, then you can't get any on that list from the chemist you happen to be in).
2. It has to be done within three days of the prescription and in the same month, so tough luck if you see the doctor on the 30th or 31st...

The pharmacist informed me that one drug was out of stock, so she could not give me any of the medicines. She suggested I try another chemist within walking distance. I asked if she could check with other branches in her network if they had the missing item, but she said No! At this point, I er, lost my patience and left the shop muttering that it was a good thing I wasn't dying.

I now had to find a pharmacy with all three medicines. First stop was one further down the road which from past experience, often had what I needed, in stock. After a LONG wait (they only employ one person to look after the entire store and customers), he told me he didn't have one of the meds. It was the cough syrup. Apparently, people misuse it, so it has been placed on the highly controlled list - which made me realise... it is one of those cough syrups that makes you drowsy!!! Why, oh why did I get prescribed that??! It's the last thing I need! Had I known, I would have insisted requested the doctor change to something else.

Anyway, this pharmacist was much more proactive, and found out from his stock system, where the nearest one was. I had to do a quick drive into an extremely busy part of town to collect it. He made sure it was reserved for me - so off I went... and I got it!! Phew!!! WHAT a pullaver! The last time I had to do this was on September 11th, (Yes, the September 11th); Pauline, (my father's wife) had had a small operation procedure under local anaesthesia to remove some growths. She was sent home with a prescription and her very young son was trying to get her the pain killers she needed. Just as well we happened to walk into the pharmacy while he was there.

The pharmacist was trying to explain to this poor young lad about the restrictions. It was one of those being at the right place and the right time moments. I realised what was happening and offered to drive Gordon round to get the prescription, but really, there wasn't time to do that as Pauline needed them urgently. We ended up in the hospital that she works in - on the other side of town - where the pharmacist said they only dispensed drugs to locals and we should go to any pharmacy "outside". By this time I'd really lost it - and absolutely insisted that they give the medicines - which they could - as they had them all. So a few hours later, Gordon was able to return home with the medicines! True story... sometimes, I wonder about the system. It has been said it is designed to reduce a grown man to tears!

And that is sometimes life in sunny Dubai!

We finally checked out the newly (re)opened Mak's Corner restaurant for dinner. Excellent value for money and they've got a very smart outside seating area now... :)  And I took the first dose of these new meds when I got home - and boy did I regret it. Could barely keep my head up! Apologies then if this Blip doesn't quite make sense read well!