Ow! My arm is killing me. I’m sure MOT is cursing his offer to act as a photographic model after our stint at the Traveler’s Health Clinic for last minute vaccinations. Since I had 90% of the vaccinations when I traveled to India in 2003, I only needed to pick up a few boosters (Typhoid, Diptheria, Polio) and some anti Dehli-belly pills this morning.

When I called to make the original appointment over a month ago, I was annoyed that the only one available was only a few hours before I leave. Granted, my chart was pulled up and mulled over before this decision was made. I had all the important shots and wouldn’t need multiple visits for boosters, so I wasn’t an emergency case. On the bright side, this scheduling decision did mean that I didn’t have to get a Rabies booster for this trip. I swear those dogs in India knew I was the only one in our group with the shots and chased me on purpose [also here].

I have to be careful, like all other travelers, but the Rabies shots made me so sick last time I’m glad I won’t have to get the booster now. Lucky me, I also won’t need the full round of treatment if something does happen, since my first full series of shots will provide some protection not available to someone who hasn’t done the Rabies song and dance before traveling.

With the exception of my carry-on bag, which can’t be considered packed until I pull the plug on my laptop and add it into the mix, I’m finally packed and ready to go. At around 3am last night I gave up on the idea of attempting to only bring one giant bag. Sure, the hockey bag was big enough to fit a body in – but trying to keep its weight under 50lbs was killing me. So, I’m back to using the two bags I normally bring with me.

The hubby is not impressed that I dragged him out hockey bag shopping to end up putting it away in the closet this morning.

Hopefully I’ll have enough room to bring lots of gifts home with me. As is, I’m pretty full on the way out. It’s not that I’ve packed enough clothes to last a month (honest, there’s only 8 days of clothes), it’s that I don’t like to travel to India without the important toiletries and sundries. Mosquito repellents, antibiotic cremes and pills, antacids, band aids, tylenol, etc., all take up room and I’ve already jettisoned clothes in favour of extra Deep Woods Off.

I did manage to get 6 of the 8 chocolate bars in my bags, so at least I’ll come bearing yummy gifts for my Filipino friends.

Technorati Tags: travel, vaccinations, India, rabies, packing

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