Busy Busy Busy.

Prospero Año Nuevo everybody!

I am sorry I haven't reported back in a while. Things leading up to my trip have been freakishly hectic. Surprisingly, I managed to get everything together!

Although it took me a while, I was able to figure out how I could have a cellphone for my trip: I just had to frickin' call Verizon, my wireless service provider, and I then had to call this one number to update my phone's software. That was all it took. I did not have to rent a phone. I did not have to go to other providers. I just had to call Verizon. What did I originally do? Well, I first went to AT&T because I knew their cell phones worked abroad. Then a sales associate told me that I could buy a GO-Phone to use for Peru, and could even get one for cheap at Wal-Mart. So I went to Wal-Mart, and saw that Verizon had GO-Phone-esque phones. Instead of buying one, I went to Verizon to double check and ask. They thought I was an idiot, because those phones do not work abroad. I then ran to Target, to just stick with the AT&T GO-phone. By then, it was late, and I was tired. I did not bother to program the phone and saved that for the next day. When I finally went, I found out that GO-phones do not work outside of the US either, looking like a fool once again. That is when I finally called Verizon to ask them what I should do. In 15 minutes, they had me ready to go. Yeesh!

After the cell phone fiasco, I was still trying to figure out what to do with my vaccinations. I am currently insured by Kaiser, and while they provide a wealth of services for cheap, it is really difficult to get appointments with them. Their system for getting vaccinations was also complicated. I first had to schedule a phone-consultation with a travel-nurse. I then had to book an appointment to get my vaccinations afterwards. I could have opted to go to a Safeway pharmacy, and all it takes it filling out an online form and getting an "okay" from them. However, it would have cost me $200 as opposed to $0. I think I got really lucky with this one; I almost could not have gotten ANY vaccinations because I scheduled my consultation for the 28th, which was a Friday. Therefore, the soonest I would have been able to get my shot was Monday, the 31st. I had no idea whether or not Kaiser would have been available since it was New Year's Eve, but they pulled through. I just had to go in at 8:30 in the morning. Ugh.

The last issue was packing. Even now, packing is still an issue that I am trying to sort out, and I have already begun my trip! The weight allowance for one of the flights I am taking in the program is 22 lbs for checked luggage, and 10 lbs for carry-on. That means I had to travel LIGHT, which is a good thing. However, I had a really rough time prioritizing what stuff I needing to bring to Peru. What kind of clothes will I need? How many days worth of clothes should I bring? What other miscellaneous, but necessary, items would I need to bring? It also did not help that the weight limits made my laptop seem like a brick all of a sudden. Those were all things I had to consider while packing. *sigh* I still think I am a little bit over the weight limit now. What I am hoping though is that my backpack could be counted separately from a carry-on, since it's something I can keep on my lap and not put in the overhead bins, but I do not know how that will fly. ;). The core of the weight limit issue was the WEIGHT, and not the number of bags I would be bringing on the trip. We'll have to see.

So all the loose ends are tied up, for the most part. My pick-ups from the airport have been arranged. All is good. I am nervous, yet excited. I will let you all know how it goes!