Oh man...it's August!

August 4, 2009

Once August hit all I could think about was..oh man my trip is NEXT MONTH! It has lit a little fire under me!

This weekend Dad and I went to Bass Pro and EMS and checked out backpacks and hiking boots. (I am lucky that he would tolerate going with me to these stores for my "dreadful" trip. Of course, he did not neglect to tell the sales people how "pissed" he was about my trip. Haha, dear old Dad). I got a lovely purple backpack at Bass Pro which I was quite happy with. Then I got some hiking boots at EMS...well, I wished that the cute blue/gray boots were good because then I could be cute as I hiked (obviously important), but the EMS guy told me if I stepped in more than one puddle during hiking water would seep in, then I'd have wet feet, and some mention of foot fungus! ...so I went with the manly looking ugly, more-pricey, leather boots. Sure are comfy though!

Of course when we got home, Dad and I looked online and found the bag for $50 cheaper and the boots for $20 cheaper so now I'm not even keeping either. However, I did do a test pack (or two :) ) and was a bit perturbed by how little I could fit in my 60 L bag. Started to do some research online and have seen some nice bags with a daypack (like a normal backpack) attached, which seems quite ideal. Trying to see if I can find some around here, otherwise inquiring about how much it would cost shipped from England. The one I liked from England was cute, had the daypack attached, and came with a raincover (apparently important to not soak all belongings inside -intelligent), whereas normally those things would cost extra-so it may make sense to pay extra for shipping for what I need! Unfortunately I feel that the U.S. is lacking a bit compared to the UK and Australia in terms of travel gear, backpacking stuff, etc. I guess because it's more popular in those countries. Anyways, will post cool pics of me wearing my backpack with my lovely hiking boots once I get my stuff!

Today I went to the Traveler's Clinic in Boston. I got my first Hepatitis A vaccine (out of 2), got a new tetanus shot, Typhoid vaccine pills, will get a yellow fever vaccine soon (currently a shortage), and prescriptions for traveler's diarrhea (eek, gross), altitude sickness, and malaria. Got lots of info on health & safety stuff. Also been researching which countries I need Visas for (only Bolivia and Brazil), what to do about my cell phone/communication (just use my own Verizon or get a global phone), researching which will be our first hostel to stay in...making lists about what I need to buy...feeling overwhelmed..

A few favorites: My Dad said he thinks he should take a life insurance policy out on my since "If you're dumb enough to go then..." That was really sweet.
I love how the travel clinic doctor told me to avoid salads, raw veggies, fruit with skin..I mean, I understand it's about not knowing if stuff is clean but am I really going to avoid salad for 4 months?
It was also entertaining reading some of the other travel pointers..Don't sit directly on sand (bugs), don't wear bright colors/jewelry (attracts bugs), don't open mouth in shower (dirty water)..... Mom and I had a good laugh about all those!