01/08/09 Santiago, Chile

Less is More?

The nightmares are beginning. It's the day of my flight and I haven't even started packing...

Panic!

I am determined to be prepared for this trip. I'll be experiencing a huge variety of climate (hopefully no El Nino!) and terrain. Patagonia is cold and windy even in the summer, and frequently sees snow! We have decided to bring a proper 4-season tent as well as a tarp for summer nights.

I just purchased the Canon G9 from Henrys. I have yet to figure out how it works, but it shoots RAW and is light and steel-cased. I really don't want to lug around a DSLR. They're too cumbersome and tempting to steal.

I've also decided to do without an MP3 player. I just know it won't last long. They're a hot item for theives. I'll probably regret this decision half-way through the year when I'm seriously craving my music! Oh well, that's what meeting new friends is for...

I'll make a list of what I packed later on....

I still need to wash my stinky pack (from years of travel) and sew up new holes.

My pack is amazing, by the way... a little too big at 85 L, but lighter than most 65L. It's gortex sealed and very durable. I bought it for under $500 7 years ago and have taken it everywhere. It is the love of my life (though I have been tempted to ditch it on numerous occassions). It's a Serratus design and was made in Canada before the company had to outsource to Asia.

I still recommend these bags! Very very durable!

xo

Vaccine after vaccine after vaccine!

Jon and I leave in a little over one month. I'm kind of losing my mind with excitement, and the stress of having to move out of my aparment, contact OHIP, deal with bank loans, work issues, and all of these bloody needles I keep needing! I just got the Flu Shot which is a must for travellers to third world countries. I am also getting the typhoid vaccine on Thursday and have already been jabbed with tetanus and dyptheria boosters. I also have Hep A and B.

I hate taking medicine and am a firm believer in any cold being cured by a generous dram of whisky and extra spicy curry, however it is better to be prepared travelling to countries where travellers constantly succumb to illness. I would hate to miss out on any adventure because I'm stuck to the toilet! I'm also stocking up on diarrhea tablets (lovely) and malaria pills.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Yellow Fever vaccine is free from the clinic at 690 Ingeniero Huergo Avenue. I'll be visiting!

Jon and I leave in 37 days. The countdown has begun! I will continue to nurse my sore arms and try to sort through the remainder of my flights.

Tchuss!