Majeure et vaccinee

I am the proud bearer of two plasters the size of 10 pence coins, each of them symmetrically positionned on my shoulders, all this courtesy of the NHS.

I am now starting to wonder why i have stubbornly refused any medical care in the UK for the past 10 years - where on earth can you go see a nurse get two jabs and a blood test and walk out without forking out a penny (hint: here!).

Truth be told, the nurse seemed a bit exasperated by my lack of organisation or specific schedule regarding my upcoming trip. To be fair, i cannot blame her. I hadn't quite realised the purpose of her interrogation - where will you be going, in what sequence, for how long, will you be at altitude, taking part in dangerous activities, going to the Amazon .... to all of this i proudly replied ... YES! and little more - vague mentions of months here and there. I truly felt sorry for her. After all, the inquisition was for my better health and to prevent mosquitoes from killing me in the process.

The lesson for today: I have a lot more thinking and planning to do before my next appointment with the nurse... aie :) I feel slightly oblivious to the gravity of the situation (sigh!)