Odds & Ends...

Yellow (immunization record) Card

In my last post I alluded to a Medical Orientation which we went to. At this meeting we are informed about the Medical Unit at the Embassy and the medical staff as well as the services available to us. The first visit to the office, my appointment on Monday, was to go over my immunizations. Since we had our Medical Clearances done by our private healthcare providers, immunizations were not done. NOT that we had to have any special ones to live here, but if we plan to travel…. There are several that are advised and one is mandatory. So we now have an immunization card, which must stay with the passport in the event we travel to a country that has one or more of the diseases we have been immunized against. So on Monday I began the process. In my right arm I had Hepatitis A & B and in my left arm Typhoid. Next Monday I will be getting more…. One of the immunizations, is for Yellow Fever, if you don’t have the inoculation and you travel to a country that Yellow Fever is still active in, you may not be able to return to South Africa (there are several other countries where it is the same). I also need to have a blood test to see if I have an antibody regarding medications for Malaria. There are 2 immunizations I don’t have to have- Tetanus and Rabies.

I have to say the Nurse, is very good with a needle. I did not feel the shots and the residual knots in my arms were not too bad, although I did feel them when I was putting our things back into some order after the movers finished…

Yesterday, I spent a good part of the morning getting started! I had more fellows showing up with the stuff that wasn’t delivered with the furniture… Garage garbage cans, lamps and lamp shades, etc. Then, a team to do the inventory (scanned with a bar code reader) and then the supervisor came by just to make sure all was well.

The Welcome Kit mop and broom

I needed some cleaning supplies… that I really didn’t know I needed until I saw the floors bare. I don’t think the floors were mopped… ever! The entire house has tile floors. So off to the store for some much needed floor care, bathroom cleaners, bleach, etc. Got back home and proceeded to sweep and mop the floor. It took all afternoon. They brought a vacuum with the new household goods, but after using it for about 5 minutes… I got the broom out. Not like a broom I am used to and I am so looking forward the Air Shipment, because my house broom is in it!!!, along with a brand new Libman house mop!! The mop head provided is a string mop, not so bad but it is huge. It is so large I cannot grab the whole thing in 2 hands. I have to wring it out in sections. So I started in the scullery and kitchen, moving into the living room and the rest of the downstairs, moving and arranging the furniture as I went. A HUGE job. Next - the upstairs floors!!!

I had dinner all but ready. I boiled a chicken for chicken soup on Sunday, so all I had to do was add the veggies and the chicken. It was ok. Didn’t taste like chicken soup at home. I am going to have to work on the flavor part. The kitchen is limited, not as limited as the hotel kitchen was; and I am trying not to buy what I have coming in the Air or Sea Shipments.

And lastly! I love the comments!!! I reply to those that have an email address in their profile, but some alas, don’t allow me to reply. So, please if you would like a reply, put your email address in your comment! Any way-

Trish: Left a comment about guest rooms. Yes!!! I have 2 and they are waiting for occupants!!! Africa is truly an unexplored vacation MECCA, but I recommend that you have at least 2 weeks, you will most likely spend your first day or two napping… to turn your body clock around. We are 6 hours ahead of NY time… and more the further west you go.