The World's most Dangerous Road (cont..)

“Tim, this car ride is the least of our troubles. Didn’t you read the survival manuals I sent you?”

“Can’t say that I did. I was hoping you would brief me on the plane. But I forgot to ask. Just fill me in on the basics.”

“Okay, but don’t blame me if anything goes wrong.”

“Has anything ever gone wrong in our little outings?”

“Well, there was that time-“

“Forget I asked. Now, what perils will we be colliding with on this adventure?”

“First and foremost, there is dengue fever.”

“I think I got vaccinated for that one.”

“No you didn’t Tim. There’s no way to stop it short of a prayer. Not even the natives are safe.”

“Then what were all those needles the doctor poked me with when I told him I was coming here?”

“Probably vaccinations for rabies, men cockle, typhoid fever and cholera. Well there’s not really a cholera vaccine either, just something you take that helps prevent it. Dengue fever is a different animal altogether.”

“What does it do?”

“Bad things Tim, bad things. You basically get really hot, start bleeding out of every hole in your body and drop dead.”

“It can’t be that bad. It’s already hot as hell in Bolivia.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Jason, we’re smack in the middle of summer. You’re delirious.”

“No, you’re delirious Tim. It’s freezing. This is the southern hemisphere, the seasons are in reverse. Looks like someone’s already been bitten by a feverish mosquito and has a case of the sweats.”

“What do mosquitoes have to do with any of this?”

“Mosquitoes are the main carrier of dengue Tim. Read the manuals next time.”

“Oh, what’s the point of reading them when I have you? Now, I’m sure big bad dengue isn’t the only menace lurking behind Bolivia’s slimy curtains. What else should I be watching my back for?”