Everybody knows Africa is just full of those nasty bacteriums and virusums and skeeters and other creepy-crawly nasties, so before you go, you gotta get your shots.  Here's how Al did it.

First you pick a nice nurse who promises, "This won't hurt a bit."

Then she tells you to stop squirming.

Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!

The needles are beginning to look like 10-penny nails.

That's the last one, right nurse?

Sure!  Except for the shots in the other arm.

Trying to visualize a light at the end of the tunnel.

The instruments of torture.  Six of 'em.  Hey Al, did they give you a lollipop?

Follow-up note:

April 3, 2005

The shots didn't hurt much, but I started feeling achey and feverish 
and headachey today about noon.

My poor old immune system is cranking up

Dad