The weather's getting cold in my mind... ICELAND!

There are some places that one has an affinity with. In his Sentimental Journey, Laurence Sterne hilariously (and pompously) borrows the French term avoir voyager. Wanderlust; the strongest current in our natural lives is the desire to travel. Waxing intellectual for *just* a moment, I think that travel is the sincerest way to fulfill the human desire of knowledge. And of course joy and aesthetic pleasure. That being said, the places that we're drawn to visit (maybe more than visit) say something about us as people...

And I know that I'm not being too selfish in an exposition on Iceland! A unique place in both geography and culture, Iceland has one of the most interesting histories and most beautiful geography in all the world. It shares neither the North American nor the European continental plates. It is the world's 18th largest island, but is one of the least densely populated areas of the globe. The current population is around 300,000 people, most of whom reside in the capital. The rest of the population lives in smaller cities along the coast of the island; they are connected by Ring Road. Geologically, Iceland is a hot bed of activity, abounding in geysers, volcanoes, as well as glaciers.

Iceland is also known for its tremendous artist population. Click here to get a taste of the local work. A visit to the galleries in Reykjavik is extremely rewarding! The music scene is also internationally known (the most famous musician, perhaps, is the singer Bjork!)...

Enjoy the pictures and if you find yourself inspired, why not plan a trip to Iceland. Life's short, and we all need to satisfy our wanderlust... what would Sterne say?

Kolkata India: City of Pandals

India is a miasmic country with as many ethnic and cultural variations within its borders as most continents contain. There are 18 official languages in India and many more unofficial and orally-maintained indigenous ones, not to mention sharply distinct regional characteristics from all corners of this magnificent country. Attempting to discuss all of India’s charms and cultural must-sees is impossible in the scope of one teeny-tiny blog entry… today, I’d love to share the riches of Kolkata!

Kolkata (also known as Calcutta) is India’s third largest metropolis, and perhaps, the nation’s fine art capital. Kolkata’s astounding architectural feats, such as the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Tipo Sultan Mosque are not empty sepulchers: the city is also well known for its musical and film cultural currents.

The city’s most famous Durga Puja festival is one of the most beautiful events held in Kolkata and usually falls in the month of October, though this year’s festival fell at the end of September 2009 (it is scheduled according to the traditional Hindi calendar). Its premise is the celebration of the Hindu goddess Durga, and includes the display of artists’ depiction of her, known as pandals.

Although the festival is widely practiced in the West Bengali region of India, Calcutta is home to the most opulent display with its adornment in lights and the nation’s largest collection of pandals; indeed, the celebration is noted as the Rio Carnival of the Eastern Hemisphere. In Kolkata specifically, the festival begins with thousands of people offering their prayers to their ancestors on the banks of the Ghats River. Songs and readings called Chandi and Aagamani welcome the goddess to the city in its early morning light. Once local drummers congregate and attract the population, the highly intricate puja rituals begin.

At night, after the official ceremonies, the city bursts with life and millions of national and international tourists flood the streets of light in order to feast on the beauty of the pandals. On the fourth and final day of the festival, the goddess is bade farewell until the next year, although no one really wants the goddess to leave…

And you won’t, either!

But for the foreign traveler, there are several health dangers and precautions to be noted and followed. Be sure that all of your general vaccines (such as MMR, varicella, polio, and DPT) are up-to-date before leaving. Also, if you will be leaving from a Yellow Fever zone before entering the country, India mandates that all travelers receive the Yellow Fever vaccine.

Call Passport Health for more information @ (732) 345-0029 and plan your trip to Kolkata!

Congrats Passport Health Philadelphia Delaware Valley! Grand Opening November 4, 2009:

Philadelphia; a city renowned for its wealth of arts, culture, business, and heritage. Its the home to the Liberty Bell, the *real* original Cheesesteak, and now, Philly is home to Passport Health as well! Located in Center City, we're here to serve the Philadelphia metro-area's every health and travel need...  

But for now, enough about us; here's a little bit about why we love Philly:

It's home to many of the nation's top universities, including the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, Temple, Drexel, St. Joseph's, LaSalle, and of course, Philadelphia University. This educational hub has a high-volume of student travelers, in its own right. In addition to the medical and professional populations in the city, the need for optimum medical care is a clear-cut call for Passport Health!

We're coming to the city of the Rodin Museum, in case you get the urge to fly off to France after the late artist's works enchant you! The home of more sports arenas and events than one can imagine; the home of Benjamin Franklin, and the first hospital in the US. It's only natural that PPH is coming to Philadelphia: a metropolis of innovation, community, and culture; who could stay away for long?

As the date of PPH Philly Delaware Valley's *grand opening* on November 4th, 2009 draws near, we'll keep you posted!

To contact the Philadelphia Delaware-Valley Passport Health offices: 

Warrington 215-491-1111
Philadelphia 215-491-1111
Lawrenceville 732-345-0029

Visit our website at http://www.passporthealthphilly.com/

... And for now, I'll leave you with a little video tid-bit of our joy! 

-Worldbloc

Stay Tuned

Passport Health of New Jersey has a long standing reputation for cutting-edge medical care as well as prompt and reliable on-site vaccination clinics to the government and health services in our vicinity. Passport Health was responsible for vaccinating United States Postal men and women against Anthrax in Hamilton Township in addition to its administering vaccines to the United States Military after the September 11th attacks. 

We here at Passport Health are committed to preserving everyday health of New Jersey and Philadelphia-metro residents in encouraging citizens to receive their seasonal flu vaccine, not to mention during their time abroad.

And when crisis emerges, like this year's pandemic of H1N1, Passport Health of New Jersey is the first in the area to receive updates on the status of the H1N1 vaccine.

You can count on us! Stay tuned for frequent updates...

-Worldbloc

Natasha's Journey

My friend Natasha does things a little differently than most other ducks. Originally from Los Vegas, a transplant to the East Coast environment of Rutgers University, there's something in her blood that thirsts for travel.

This summer, for example, Natasha spent the months of May and June in Spain. After a 48-hour lay-over in New Jersey (more specifically, my couch) and a trip to her storage unit, she switched out her luggage for some South American winter garments and headed for a six-week Latin-American Studies program in Bolivia.

The amazing stories that returned with my dear friend were beautiful, full of cultural experience and intellectual growth. The program focused on aid and advocacy to the local indigenous population. The views of the mountains and the rain forest were breathtaking, and the pictures she brought back proved her point!

But for all of the aesthetic magic that Bolivia offered, that is not to say it didn't have it's share of health risks. Thankfully, Natasha received her Yellow Fever vaccine from Passport Health before she left for Spain. "I can't believe I almost forgot to do it! I would have been out of luck if I tried to do it during the 48-hour period I stopped over in the U.S.," she said.

And she's right: although it is always better to receive the Yellow Fever than to go without (in fact, travelers aren't allowed to go to many areas of South America without it!) it is optimum if Yellow Fever vaccination is received ten days or more before the date of departure.

There are many stories; the story of the brick oven, the story of the out-house (oh, yes, but I will not explicate that here...) Needless to say, thanks to Passport Health, Natasha made it through safe and sound!

Travel needs vary widely from one area of South America to another; call (732) 345-0029 to schedule your personalized travel consultation with one of our specialists!

Breaking news: US goverment leads international flu vaccine donations

President Obama said in a press conference on September 17, 2009 that the United States would donate 10% of the swine flu vaccine that it has ordered. These donations, along with similar donations from European, South American, and Australian nations, gesture towards a global effort to control the spread of the disease in poorer regions of the world. Read more about this development here!

PHNJ Close-up: Mary K. Cummings, R.N.

"I don't know what to say; I've been a nurse for 25 years!" says Mary K. Cummings, travel Passport Health Specialist in our Morristown Office.

After receiving her Associate's Degree from SUNY-Orange in 1984, and continued at Palm Beach Atlantic College. Mary K. is currently finishing her BSN (Bachelor's of Science and Nursing) at SUNY-Ulster.

She has worked in a variety of medical settings. In fact, Mary K.'s diversity in her professional experience is hard to match. These settings include: hospitals, prisons, home care, nursing homes, and camps, not to mention our Morristown location of Passport Health. In addition to her exemplary career, Mary K. has three children in college and loves weekend escapes to the Northeast.

"Even the [Norteast] is rewarding variety of geography and culture with this crazy schedule!" says Mary K. And if you didn't think it was jam-packed full of excitement yet, wait till you hear what she does for *fun*.

It's hard to find an adventurous, daring, breathtaking activity that Mary K. has not or will not try. Her feats against fear even include skydiving! She also has a passion for skiing, scuba diving, hiking, gardening, and entertaining in her home (in that order of declining physical demand).

Mary K. loves travel and adventure in all of its forms, making her a unique resource as a travel specialist!