South Africa preparations

US Group & conditional 2nd round tickets - check
Flight - check
Airport transfer - check
Lodging first night - check
Tour - check
Accommodations for 1 night in CPT - check
Accommodations for first week of WC - check
Passport - check
Vaccination medical card - (pending doc appt)
US Jersey - (pending NikeTown visit)

It's just 10 days prior to my departure for South Africa, and I have yet to buy my US jersey. I'll be meeting my friend, Amy (who's joined me on 2 previous World Cups abroad) for a 20 day "Africa Encompassed" GAP Tour (http://www.gapadventures.com/trips/south-africa-encompassed/DCS/2010/). The challenge is packing light enough to travel for the 20 days, while bringing the necessary clothes and electronic equipment (will be in withdrawals w/o the laptop) for the World Cup segment of the trip (and be safe about it). Folks keep advising to bring sunblock, hats, swimsuits, etc. forgetting that South Africa is deep into the southern hemisphere, making this their winter season (low-mid 60s, but even the summer only hovers in the upper 70s).

Friends have been helpful though, in providing advice for such preparations:
"pack everything then cut it in half, then cut that in half and take triple the amount of money." - Flor Melgar
"Gun & bulletproof vest." - Manohar Venkataraman

Thanks, guys!

I'm hoping my appointment with the travel doc tomorrow will not result in too many shots or pills for whatever diseases await me in SA, but better to be prepared...

More to come as the date nears...