Vaccinations

Well, that was heartening.  I was able to assemble 3 of the children to accompany me to a medical centre across town that specialises in travel vaccinations.  I was supposed to take 4 children, but mobile phone issues and poor communication meant that my daughter Drew missed out today.  I've made her and my son Gus who is away at school camp an appointment later this week.  Unfortunately for me that means another trip across town in peak hour.

Total expense for 4 of us to be vaccinated - $860.  I still have to more to pay for!
Max      9 yrs - Hep A and Typhoid (1 jab) and Cholera (1 pleasant tasting drink). No need for Tetanus as had one 4 years ago.
George 10 yrs - Same as Max and he had tetanus a few months ago when he ripped his knee open.
James   13 yrs - Hep A and Typhoid, Tetanus and Cholera
Me        very old - same as James.

I have been given scripts for Stemetil, Lomotil, Noroxin (for persistent diarrhoea) and more Cholera drink (Dukoral oral suspension).  For the life of me I can't remember when I'm meant to repeat that dose.  Lucky I'm returning later in the week to ask.  Apparently if we get a booster for the Hep A within 6 months it will last us our whole lives.

The Doctor was kind enough to fill me in on his adventures with a mate 9 years ago in Vietnam.  He spent the entire 2 week holiday suffering from diarrhoea.  He lost 5 kg.  He was eager to tell me about the trains that have a hole in the floor to poo into, and advised me to wear shorts and sandals everywhere to deal with the poo.  I can understand the shorts - so your jeans don't end up in your own poo, but couldn't make out the sandal comment.  I was a bit too polite to ask.  I also feared that he would sniff out my complete lack of preparation and knowledge of the geography.  He kept asking me specifics about the trip and I still have no idea what I am doing or where I am stopping to stay. I do know that I am sticking to the coastline.  Apparently that was a good decision with children as Malaria medication for each of us for 3 weeks was going to be more than $400 a person. Now that is a good incentive to stick to the low lands and the coast if ever I heard one.

7 weeks to go.

Keep in mind I am not generally a very organised person.  Every time I lie in bed at the end of the day to read my Lonely Planet, I fall asleep.  Time is running out.  I've got to get prepared.  Oh this should be fun.