In Final Preparations

For a trip I have been planning for years, to finally be on my doorstep is, in a word, surreal. Nonetheless, I have to remain focused that everything is in order and ready to go; a process that becomes more difficult as I received an Email a few days ago indicating that Brazil had a measles outbreak, and while entry to the country is not restricted to those who can produce documentation of inoculation, it is "highly recommended" (and yes, that is in finger quote" that documentation be presented on board. With little time left before departure, I had to return to my doctor, who has got to be tiring of seeing me, to receive documentation that I have been vaccinated against measles. Twice, as it turns out.

And just for kicks, I returned to that lovely website, globalincidentmap.com to check up on the world. It was surprisingly bland for the countries I'm visiting, with one notable exception, seen below. The previous incident, mentioned in a previous post, about tigers, makes the tigers look like pussy cats. The small icon near Chennai, India intrigued me, largely because the icon is a ship - my upcoming method of transportation. Upon rolling over the icon, it informed me that a boat laden with explosives rammed into another ship. As if my fright over diseases were not enough, I now have to fear pirates with explosive-laden boats.













I don't think Johnny Depp will be of any help. Although, the women do swoon over Orlando Bloom. He might be the bargaining chip we need...

One of the last tasks I've got to figure out here at home before I depart is what to pack. I've read a multitude, a veritable plethora of packing lists, and they're all different and tailored for women. I don't plan on bringing five bras. I don't even own one. I just don't need it. So the dilemma I'm faced with now, is how many t-shirts to bring. I'm a t-shirt guy. I enjoy my t-shirts which range from the bizarre (4 8 15 16 23 42) to the utterly baffling (PANTS). Those of you coming on the trip can look forward to both of those shirts, because they're already packed. But there are t-shirts "on the bubble", if you will. Such items as "Reelin' it in" and "Beaker" and "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" (accompanied by a photo of Pangea) and "Sectional Healing" (accompanied by a sectional sofa). Not all will make it. I believe I may find myself playing an odd game of Survivor: T-Shirt not before long.

All I hope at this point is that the next four months will truly be able to be summarized under the heading of 'spendictacular.'

Coming Soon: The Itinerary