I have just returned from the Buncombe County Health Department, Travel Section. It seems they recommend Typhoid, and Hepatitis A & B vaccines for Mexico and Central America. Note that these are recommended and not required. Should I take them or not? They are expensive (about $250) for all. But contracting these diseases is a distinct possibility in these areas. I mean, there was a Hepatitis outbreak here in Asheville a few years ago when a cook at a popular restaurant (locals know where this is) failed to wash his hands after taking care of "business" in the restroom. I already have typhoid vaccinations. I got them in the army during basic training...35 years ago. Uhhhh, that's gonna have to be updated. Yeah, I will go ahead and get the shots (that's "jabs" for my British friends).
While watching Race to Dakar with Charley Boorman I realized that I have time before this trip, but no plan. So today I sat down and wrote a plan to get every thing done in order that the trip can actually begin on March 15. Here is my plan so far:
January 23 - appointment for immunizations
January 31 - have the maintenance I plan on doing my self completed on the BMW
February 1 - obtain AAA International Driver's License and Mexico map
February 7 - blood work for physical exam
February 14 - physical exam
February 15 - have dealer servicing of BMW completed
February 20 - obtain MedJetAssist insurance
February 22 - complete federal and state income taxes
February 25 - depart for Germany
March 4 - return from Germany
March 5 - dental cleaning
March 12 - final inspection of equipment
March 15 - departure
For those that don't know MedJetAssist is an insurance policy that will fly me (or my reamains) back from a foreign country should I become ill and cannot be treated in a local hospital. They will even return my motorcycle if necessary.
I think this will work. During this time I also need to improve my physical condition. Leaving in March I will have have to get my riding muscles fit on the road. For those that don't ride, it takes an entirely different set of muscles to ride a motorcycle 8 to 10 hours a day than you can work out in a gym. The muscles that give me particular problems are my throttle (right) hand and the muscles between my shoulder blades.
Well, I have enough to do before this thing gets going! Please feel free to leave a comment or ask questions. That is the only way I will know that I am writing for an audience and not just for myself.
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