1 Nov 2004
The last, last, last poke in the arm: Twinrix shot No. 3, at the Alachua County public health office. Also got a prescription for a malaria drug, Malarone. This is not the one that causes hallucinations and possible psychosis (yes, there is one that does; the nurse told me it is commonly prescribed to people enlisted in the U.S. military, but I do not know if that's true). You only have to keep taking Malarone for seven days after you leave the danger area. (There's a third med that you have to keep taking for four weeks!)
One of my contacts in Malaysia assured me I do not need to bring sterile needles with me, as they are available in pharmacies there. If you doubt your doctor, you can buy a package of needles and take them with you to your appointment.
I have started packing -- not neatly, but I am throwing equipment into my carry-on bag, and I have my new shotgun microphone (hooray!) and my video camera tripod in the big suitcase, along with a small stack of clothing. I intend to create some Flash packages with sound while I'm there, so I will take a fair number of recording devices, cameras and other gear.
I am making decisions about which shoes to take (mostly sandals, of course). Also, how many socks? I do not wear socks often in Florida from about April through October, so it's not likely I will need many pairs of socks in Malaysia (which is even hotter). Of course, my Tevas are absolutely top of the list -- not formal enough for work wear, but they are my mainstay the rest of the time. I am considering investing in some Keen sandals, but I can't find them in Gainesville, and so I can't try them on! I'm concerned about toe protection on a motorbike, and thinking about how I hate the feeling of boots full of water. Hmm, maybe a kayaking shoe ... ?
14 Oct 2004
Finding out how to ship a box of books: On the phone with the local Kinko's (the place from which to ship via FedEx), I was told that I could not send a box to Malaysia using FedEx International Economy service. So I called FedEx proper and learned that I could use the economy service, but only if I use my own packaging instead of the FedEx 25kg Box. However, the economy service (with my own box) would cost $100 more than the priority service (with their box). Very interesting! The FedEx box weight limit is 55 pounds. I'm not at all sure how many books that might be.
12 Oct 2004
Don from MACEE wrote: "The walk to the airport hotel, while all enclosed, is long and a bit convoluted. Ordinarily there are not many porters at the airport (only carts), but because of Ramadan and the late hour, there may be none, which leaves you moving luggage a long and unfamiliar distance under less than great circumstances." Thus I will be canceling my reservation at the Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport hotel and staying at a different hotel in KL. My plane is scheduled to arrive at 10:30 p.m., so that is kind of late to expect any kind of service.
25 Sept 2004
Yesterday I finalized my flight arrangements. It turned out to be cheaper and involve fewer plane changes to book one flight from Gainesville to Los Angeles (change in Atlanta) and a separate flight from Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur (one change, in Seoul).
Also yesterday, the insect repellent order arrived. The water filtration order had come earlier this week. I had specified normal ground delivery, nothing fast or "express," so I'm glad everything came so quickly. Online I had read a few complaints about the Katadyn water bottle, but when I read the instructions that come with the bottle, it appeared that all those problems would be eliminated if the user just followed the directions!
20 Sept 2004
Had my MMR vaccination today. This is one I should have had a long time ago, but I kept putting it off. Also learned I can get my third Twinrix before I leave. Whew! I sure wish I had had these shots back when I was in an HMO that paid for preventive health care, or when I lived in Canada and had taxpayer-supported national health care. This one shot today cost me $53.
17 Sept 2004
Bought a low-micron water filtration system (Katadyn Exstream XR Water Purifier*) and a couple of replacement cartridges at Campmor, where there was a great discount. The public health nurse recommended a CDC page about water filters. Of course, the worst beastie is Cryptosporidium, which we used to get in the public water supply in D.C. all the time. But in D.C., we could buy safe bottled water, and that may be difficult in the countryside in Malaysia.
* This is a water bottle, not a pump. I was looking for something suitable for tap water rather than water from streams and lakes.
Bought my DEET (Ultrathon) and my Permethrin (Fite Bite pump spray), also for use in rural areas -- not in the capital. I ordered these from Travmed.com. I was told to spray the Fite Bite on all the openings of my clothing; this helps prevent mosquitos and ticks from getting inside and finding unprotected skin.
The charming fact about mosquito-borne diseases is that the best way to prevent them is not to be bitten in the first place. These diseases include not only malaria but also dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis.
CDC: Health Information for Travelers to Southeast Asia
14 Sept 2004
Received my copy of my medical form and reports from the State Department. I'm cleared for travel -- hooray!
13 Sept 2004
I have been e-mailing with MACEE about my arrival date. Looks like I'm shooting for 17 November. That's because Hari Raya is the 14th and 15th (this marks the end of Ramadan and is a very big holiday in Malaysia). The last day of their semester break is 21 November.
17 August 2004
Had what I hope was my final appointment with my regular doctor. She ordered one more blood test. When she gets the results, she'll sign the form and mail it to CIES. I went to various specialists for various additional tests, and I think this will be the third time they sent me to the lab for blood work. So far, everything is fine and I am completely healthy, but I have spent hundreds of dollars to prove that. My BlueCross BlueShield of Florida health insurance leaves me hanging high and dry on a lot of charges. I'm sure it's better than having no insurance at all -- but that's not a strong statement of satisfaction by any means.
This would not have dragged out so long if I had not needed to make two trips between 11 May and 25 June. Actually, there was a third trip in the first week of August too. It was hard to schedule all the medical appointments around my travel.
28 June 2004
Had second Twinrix shot.
4 June 2004
Had a typhoid vaccination (single shot). There is an oral vaccine for typhoid, but it turns out Spain is currently a typhoid risk area, and I'll be in Madrid from 16 June to 21 June. Consequently, there is not enough time for the oral vaccine.
24 May 2004
Visited the Alachua County public health office. Received quite a lot of valuable information from a public health nurse. All of this costs money, and none of it is covered by my state employee health insurance. The consultation is only $20, but the shots are quite expensive.
Had first Twinrix shot. This is a combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B. Three doses are necessary. The second shot must be at least one month after the first. The third shot must be at least six months after the first.
Had a tetanus booster shot. The public health nurse said it's recommended to have a booster every five years if you're traveling to exotic places.
3 May 2004
Saw my regular physician for the medical exam required by the Fulbright people. I was (or will be) tested for just about everything you can imagine.