So today I got my last shot of hepatitis B administered. I still need to get three shots of Japanese encephalitis and get tested for various diseases. So needles, and more needles it is. Good thing I’m not scared of being stung.

I also got the promise of Malarone for malaria medicine (the first thing the healthcare tried to give me was Lariam, which is not very effective and has huge side effects), so all is good. Not that Bangalore would be an area where malaria is a problem, but it’s good to have the pills in case of travelling. And travel – it seems – we will.

It’s hard to concentrate on my job at hand as I’m still halfway in India in my mind. Yes yes, it’s hot and crazy and chaotic, but theres a certain Something to the country. I’m waiting for the move very enthusiastically, it’s going to be a huge adventure.

Talking about the move, it seems it’s possible I’ll have my own set of transportation for my stuff to Blore, which is nice. Not that I’m taking much with me, but the mere essentials will take some room. Later on I’ll post a great deal of stuff that will be for sale / given away, as soon as I make up my mind what to take and what not to take. I would like to take my futon with me, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it to drag it all the way there and back again.

Can’t really believe I won’t be going until September, but then again summer comes and is over before I know it. Waiting is like sitting on a pincushion… of vaccines…

Tags: moving, oh bugger, practical stuff, vaccinations, waiting

Today was my (hopefully) final visit to occupational health care before the trip. The nurse gave me booster shots for Hepatitis A+B and Japanese encumbrance, along with a pack of medication I might need during my visit. The pack included two different brands for diarrhea, two dozen of pills for malaria, some painkillers and the basic stuff for treating wounds and scratches.

In other news, the house rental company in Bangalore has found an apartment for me. I have not yet received anything accurate, but it is located about 4 kilometers from the office and has some fancy restaurants nearby. Shopping places are also around. (See the place in Google Maps)

Only 21 days and my almost-totally-confirmed flight from Oulu takes off from the airport. I should get a countdown widget to my blog.

EDIT: This is how it looks like in a satellite:

View Larger Map

Tags: accommodation, medication, planning, practical stuff, vaccinations

I got two more shots today, namely a booster for the Japanese echelosaurus and a one-time shot for typhoid fever. My vaccination certificate looks already as if I was a diabetic making note of every shot I get. The last vaccination visit to occupational health care is in the middle of November, when two boosters are going to be given. I also get a medicine pack of some sort to take with me just in case. I wonder if the Indian guys have to take this many shots when coming to Finland?

I have reached my colleagues in Bangalore for discussions about a possible local contract in the Corporation. Sounds like they could be interested in hiring me and at least my initial wishes about salary ranges and accommodation have not scared them off, but a lot of things must still happen.

Only a couple of days and the visitors from India arrive. One of them, the team leader, will stay only for a week, but the other one will be seeing snow before he returns in December. By that time I will be there too. I can hardly wait.

Tags: colleagues from India, medication, planning, practical stuff, vaccinations

After a refreshing hunting weekend I returned to work to see if any of my e-mails had spawned responses.

No.

Fortunately I had reserved an appointment with our occupational health care nurse for the first round of vaccinations before the trip. A total of five shots is required since I already have valid tetanus and polio shots from military service. Two shots were given now, namely the hepatitis A+B and Japanese encephalitis. Don’t ask me what the latter one is, but it sure as hell sounds like I don’t want to catch it.

Next week I will receive a typhoid fever shot and a booster for the Japanese enchilada. A month from today a booster for the Hepatitis A+B shot will be given along with a medicine pack for malaria and probably some other diseases as well.

Since my regular medication storage may run out while I’m in India, a doctor will give me another prescription in order to ensure my sanity while abroad.

Two more weeks and my closest contact from Bangalore is going to sit next to me here at the office. I can hardly wait.

Tags: medication, practical stuff, vaccinations