Another guest post from Doc. (this first bit is me, you’ll be able to tell the diff, although doc talks/types almost as much as I do! It’s one reason we get along so well!)

This time, this post, on how do you handle the people who approach you in the city, when your car is stopped at a light, as you walk through the sights….what do you do for the begging?

In America, it is a different problem in many ways and we are trained to do different things. But what about in Addis? The guidebooks say, “do not give money or food to the beggars, it only exacerbates the problem. If you must, give scrip for a free meal that you can buy at XX shelter.”

Well, yes, hmmm, we understand that concept. Sounds good. But frankly, we didn’t find XX shelter (it’s a very large city) and really….well, when true poverty holds out it’s hand, the poorest of the poor – the crippled, lame, children, moms, blind – how can your hearts be of stone and not hurt for them? And how can you not want to do something, anything, to help, even if only for a moment? And if you do feel that ache, then what, exactly do you do??

We cannot fix the overwhelming problems of the poverty in Ethiopia, it’s huge. We certainly don’t want to add to it, and hope and pray that we did not. But when it’s one on one, or three at a window, how can you not do something, however small?

So, we did. It was our choice, and this is not a travel tip. This is opinion and our response to an overwhelming issue, a complicated and difficult one. So take it for what it is, I’m sure others will have other and better ways and ideas and responses and I’m sure others will have conflicting opinions. That’s ok, go see what they say too. But this is ours, courtesy of my strongly opinionated husband: Here goes:

A traveller to Addis can encounter the impoverished people there in one of several ways: Some people will consciously or unconsciously try to ignore it and go all the way there without anything to give.

Some will find themselves embarrassed, shunning or distancing themselves or ignoring those who beg from them.

Some will find themselves wanting to give to those in need but will not be prepared with anything to offer.

Not one person who asked us for something was one thousandth as well off as we are or had eaten as much in the previous week as we had in the previous day or two.

The best way treat beggars is to be ready with an abundance to give them, even to those who may not appear as if they really need it, (if you hadn’t eaten in two days would you look a lot different than you do now?) especially to those who don’t ask but clearly need it.

This is what we did: we brought cases of those peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers. Those peanut butter crackers are high in protein, taste good and were less than 10 cents each by the case. We carried on more than enough and when we ran out we bought bananas and oranges for less than the cost of one of our restaurant meals at the local stand to give away. Everyone was grateful and we almost always had something to give to someone who asked, mostly children — two or three for those who clearly needed it.

Our Father is much more generous to us. We can only show God our love of Him by showering that love upon His children, whom He loves and sent you to love.

Almost the same photo, yes, but my dear Doc is next to me, in the white, w/ beard!

(From the comments, but moved here too: additional info from my dear husband, Doc G, a guest writer here this evening, and a personal favorite of mine!):

A couple of additional points to increase the odds of getting to the end of the trip successfully:

It’s probably not the obvious thing that gets most people, it’s the thing that sneaks under your radar.

Needless to say, only drink bottled water but be sure to check the seal on the bottle.

No seal, don’t drink it. Squeeze the bottle before you break the seal; if it hisses or leaks a little, the seal is broken, don’t drink it.

Avoid drinks with ice; that bit about bottled water cubes — right.

No smoothies or slushies.”I’ll have the fresh squeezed orange juice” gong! pineapple juice, gong!, tomato juice, gong!, lemonade gong!, iced tea gong!!.

Unless you know it comes directly out of a commercial container from which it’s poured in front of you (and then it’s OK), don’t risk the possibility that it’s from concentrate or homemade with water you won’t like later.

Don’t confuse American “healthy eating” with third world foreign country “healthy eating”. Not the same — and it’s only a week or two.

Canned or commercially bottled anything will be fine. Only eat food that is thoroughly cooked. Thoroughly washed is not good enough and in fact may be the source of problems — the contamination may come from the prep area or water itself.

You’re hungry and the waiter brings some tasty little appetizers. You nibble while you scrutinize the menu. Doesn’t matter, you’ve already lost.The main course may be very carefully chosen by you, safe and cooked and then you eat the side or garnish of “that looks interesting” and you’ve possibly just sealed your fate.

“But I like salad, and besides it’s good for you.” Gong!!!”I’m just going to eat healthy” Gong!

Uncooked thin skinned fruits and fresh vegetables (grapes, tomatoes, apples, pears, zucchini, carrots, lettuce etc., etc,) can harbor bacteria under their skin. Even the “good” restaurants are not going to wash them with bottled water. Spam, Oreos, Twinkies and beer will treat you better.

If something comes that you are suspicious of, don’t make a stink or even call attention to it, just leave it alone and congratulate yourself for your vigilance and the fact that you’ve avoided getting sick for only the cost of that item — oh how you’ll long for that deal if you miss it on the first pass!

Take your pepto capsules before everything you eat or as soon after if you forget no matter where you eat.

One or two doses at the very first sign or even preventively if you suddenly realize what you ate is much easier and more effective than trying to get rid of the problem once established. (Do not get Bactrim if any of you have sulfa allergy — get the cipro)and take 8 pepto capsules per person per day with you plus extras to give to the poor fellow travelers who forgot or didn’t know to bring them. Two capsules before every meal or non commercial snack without exception. (Five of us for 11 days; 55 times 8 equals 440 capsules. They come in 48 capsule bottles, consolidate and put them in everybody’s backpack so you always have them. This is one of the secrets we docs use on medical mission trips.

Do it and you can just be vigilant not paranoid.

It will be an awesome trip, but you will enjoy and experience very little after the moment you get sick — so, an ounce of prevention.

P.S. Immodium is helpful to decrease the frequency of visits to the bathroom, or if one simply has a sensitive system. However, if you have an intestinal infection you defeat your body’s natural attempt to rid you of it partly by decreasing the volume of bacteria in there, and can make yourself less trips but actually sicker longer.

God Bless! TLG, M.D