boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it

yesterday i received a fat packet of pre-departure reading materials: detailed itineraries, flight information, cultural customs, health precautions, history & culture articles, maps, name tag, water bottle strap, luggage belt, etc. this is getting for real.

still no word on my passport, though. v is for visa this valentine's day.

of note:

- in 14 pt bold, capital letters: ALCOHOL IS BANNED IN LIBYA.
- cash is preferred in new, unmarked bills.
- bring rubber shoes for the desert showers... "desert shower" seems to border on the oxymoronic.
- also for the desert: tissues for "nature stops". are we required to then tote the nature-soiled tissues to the nearest bin?
- photo passes are required at all archaeological sites and museums, about $4 each. times twenty-five days or so...
- "if you are using a digital camera bring extra batteries as it will be difficult to recharge your battery in the desert." you don't say.
- "please do not photograph anything military in nature, including bridges, roadblocks, and security posts." bridges?
- it would behoove me to avoid TD -- travelers' diarrhea -- at all costs. resist the lure of bright shiny fresh fruits and vegetables. brush teeth with bottled water. don't even think of touching the food or water on an internal flight. in fact, just don't touch anything.

when i think that this is more hassle than it's worth, i look at this (especially poignant as it's snowing sideways right now):