Brisbane, Australia.

Today I saw the travel Doctor, we discussed our trip and the immunisations needed. I have not yet had my immunisations as I got serology taken to determine my immunisation status. I did tell the RMO that I have had serology and immunisations over the years due to my nursing career, but I was comforted knowing that I am or may not need injections because I have had them in the past and have still seroconversion. Rabies is one scary course, and disease, should it be necessary. I guess if you stay away from any sort of animal in Africa you will be right!!!! But isn't that one reason you go to Africa, to see the most magnificent land animals the world has to offer but if you get that close to aminals in Africa worring about Rabies would be the one thing you wouldnt be worried about I imagine. Don't more people die in Africa from Hippopotamus attack than any other accident (I remember hearing about that somewhere once). I guess traffic accidents are not stastically kept!!!

Also today was the first time I really sat down and read the itinerary at the RMO in the waiting room, as the RMO would want to know where I was going so he could educate me regarding what I did or didnt need in terms of injections. He seemed excited "a holiday of a lifetime" he said. To be truthful I am reluctant and hesitant. I have just come home off the back of a month away with the army on an army course which I did not enjoy. I "left" the boys at home on their own for a month. Wills had not yet started TAFE and it was a very stressful time for him, all this new language and timetabling and no one at home to share his worries with. Thomas had just come back from Mexico and started at the Police academy, although he was not stressed and was loving it I was still worried for him. I'm not so worried about him now as he is absolutely thriving and loving it. But it is Wills who I am worried about and I am worried about leaving him for another month on his own. So I should be so excited and I should be discussing the trip but I'm just not feeling it yet.

I have Sandsy by my side. Although he doesnt know about my worries, he is the trip organiser. He organised my RMO appointment, he had a folder with everything from the itinary to the immunisations. He has his scripts filled, his first aid packed and his $US750. Me I went to the allocated appointment, I am thinking I should go and get my $US, I should read the e-mails from Nick and I should read the packing list. I feel I have four weeks....heaps of time right??? probably not. I still feel overwhelmed from my army time. But luckily I have the most wonderful man by my side, and soon I will be back on track and will be excited about the new beginnings of "Rachael's next life journey" (with my wonderful man right there, luckiest chick in the world).Read more