Substitutes

Let us talk about toiletries. Gentlemen you can sit back and relax now, safe in the knowledge that whoever buys the toiletries in your household, it isn't you. Ladies, do you have favourite products? Shampoos you can't live without, conditioners that give your hair that special shine, shower gel that leaves your skin soft and smooth? Yes? Well imagine the poor traveller, dependent upon whatever sells in the country she currently lives in.

Up to now I've been lucky. My toiletries of choice have always been available. Up to now.

Now I have to find substitutes. A substitute for Johnson's Shower Gel that doesn't leave my skin looking and feeling like parchment - I'm about to try Lux (wish me luck). A substitute for Oil of Olay moisturister that doesn't leave my skin looking sweaty - I'm curently using L'Oreal Revitalift and I have to wipe my face about five minutes after applying it. A substitute for Always Thin sanitary towels (sorry mum, but these things have to be shared), the ones here are like toilet rolls.

I bought all these things in Poland, Egypt and Italy but not here in Argentina. Woe is me! So the next time you're in Tesco, Boots or Superdrug, think of me 44 years old and experimenting again.