I decided that the six shots I received last month (three in each shoulder) just weren't enough, and went back for one more of the CDC-recommended vaccinations for travelers to West Africa. For the record, I am now up to date in my innoculations against yellow fever, hepatitis A, meningococcal meningitis, typhoid, polio, tetanus, and diptheria. I've received the first of three hepatitis B shots, which does not provide full immunity, but is certainly better than none.

I also filled my prescriptions for Malarone—the new and improved malaria medicine, that doesn't give you psychotic dreams or yeast infections!—and Cipro. Remember Cipro? Panicked Americans cleaned pharmacy shelves of Cipro during the anthrax attacks in 2001. I've got Cipro, but I'm under strict instructions not to take it unless I have experienced 48 hours of diarrhea accompanied by a high fever, at which point I'll be lucky to remember my own name, let alone the powerful antibiotics in my toiletry kit. Luckily, my travelling companion has guts of steel and a mind like a . . . steel trap. E? Do you hear that? I'm counting on you to remember Robin's little helpers.

Dear self: Relax! Remember, there's so much more to Africa than disease. You're going to have a blast.