The Pain of Immunizations

Last week, I had to go to the Savannah Health Department and receive several immunizations for my journey to Ecuador. I got one shot in my right arm and two shots in my left arm. The shot in my right arm was tetanus and the shots in my left arm were Typhoid and Hep A. All of the shots cost me a grand total of 114.00. If I would have gotten these shots in NYC, my bill would have been much higher. I am certainly glad that I waited to move to Savannah for the summer. However, I still have to get two more shots- Cholera and Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever will be important for travel throughout the Amazonian jungles. I have also ordered hiking boots and a backpack. I am so excited to move to Ecuador- the one month and 2 days that I have left in the States can hardly past fast enough!!!!!

Plus- one can only read so much Harry Potter before they start dreaming about goblin farming and flying on broomsticks.

Time Passes at the Ecuadorian Consulate

My visits to the Ecuadorian consulate are few and far between, but eventful in a plethora of ways. The first time I visited the consulate I did not have the appropriate paperwork to get a visa. I was turned away and told I need to get all of these documents- which were impossible to get in NYC! The most arduous task was obtaining my "record of good conduct" from One Police Plaza downtown.
First of all, I showed up at a large and daunting building surrounded by menacing armed police guards. I was quickly frisked and asked to state the reason why I was there. Judging from the crackheads babbling to the guys that guard the metal detectors- I realized that I was probably the most unusual customer of the day. Finally, after walking miles down large dark hallways, I was fingerprinted and given access to my records. However, I had to return and pick the records up about 15 days later.
After all the "appropriate" documents had been gathered, I went again to the Ecuadorian Consulate. The second time I was successful with my visa, but not with Josh's visa. There was a language barrier and the little ladies told me that Josh's visa would be 2030 dollars. I was shocked and dismayed by this price, but soon I found out that they meant only 230.00 dollars. Finally, after all of the turmoil and disorganization had ended I walked out with two visas and an empty wallet.
Hopefully, I can find my visa before I leave!