Mario's pre leaving freak out

Argh, only a week and a half to go and suddenly all those things I was getting to prepare have to be gotten now, I have to buy a large bag, a pair of walking boots, a new phone to have my old crap one as a spare (also because I hate my phone and I think I'm due an upgrade :)) some special travel towel thingies, maybe some sort of water bottle thing, insect repellant, a sleeping bag cover, raincoats in bags, some sort of small shampoo, a pair of swimming togs (hopefully ones that necessitate minimal shaving, urgh!) etc etc etc. I know a week and a half is ample time for such but I get nervous about such things. Suddenly realising, standing in a spanish colonial church in a german speaking town in Argentina, that I've forgotten my extra sim card could be a nervewracking experience! Realising I didn't bother to even so much as bend my ear to some crap portuguese pop to get my head around their bizarre pronunciation and perhaps even learn how to tell some young lady to show me her bikini has also left me a little regretful. I may never need to ask a young lady for such a thing but I think asking where the toilet is and if that dish comes without entrails could be good, much as I like some entrails. I must away now and stop wasting time writing in my literature replacement pod and try to find these necessaries. It doesn't help that I'm trying to apply for courses next year either although that's pretty much fixed up. Yay! Next time I post here I'm sure I'll actually not be in the country anymore which will make it infintely more interesting :)