HIGHLAND SUPPORT PROJECT

Spring 2007 Travel Checklist

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

July 22, 2006, SATURDAY

TACA flight 599

Depart from Dulles at 9:05 AM

Arrive in Guatemala City at 12:35 PM

Depart from Guatemala City airport, drive to Lake Atitlan (we may spend the night in Antigua if flight is late for any reason).

Sunday: Visit the widow’s cooperative, and shop in the market in ChiChi. Drive to Xela in the afternoon.

Monday to Thursday: Daily service projects and programs.

Friday: Depart for Antigua. Visit 800 year-old Mayan site on the way.

July 29, 2006, SATURDAY

TACA flight 599

Depart from Guatemala City at 3:45 PM, arrive in El Salvador at 3:40 PM

TACA flight 584

Depart from El Salvador at 4:35 PM

Arrive at DULLES AIRPORT at 10:50 PM

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND PERSONAL CHECKLIST

We will be working in the village of Espunpuja and living in a rented house in Xela. We will be at a nominal 12,000-foot elevation so you will experience shortness of breath after minimal exertion. You will need to pack ALL of your gear in one checked bag + one small carryon bag; you will want to pack any essential items like glasses, medication, and a change of clothes in the carryon. Below is a checklist of items you will need:

• Passport and one photo ID (it is a good idea to make photo copies of your passport)
• Any special medications and/or copies of prescriptions (translated to Spanish)
• Cipro and/or Pepto-Bismol (I do not suggest this personally. Many who travel to the developing world take Cipro daily as a preventative. Some have taken Pepto-Bismol daily as a preventative; in general, we have taken Cipro as a treatment as soon as someone starts to experience intestinal problems and the problem has resolved itself quickly.) WE ARE NOT MEDICAL EXPERTS SO CONSULT YOU DOCTOR.
• Spare glasses or contact lens
• Toiletries (towel, wash cloth, toothbrush, comb, razor, 2-4 rolls of toilet tissue, baby wipes, soap, etc.)
• Large brim hat or at least a cap or bandanna to screen the sun
• Sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses
• 2 sets of work clothes (t-shirt, sweatshirt, long pants, hiking boots, leather gloves)
• Long underwear and/or sweats & warm socks – it can get cold!
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Simple clothes for travel (DO NOT WEAR GOLD OR SHOW YOUR WEALTH)
• Water bottle
• Shopping money for the markets, credit cards can be used in many of the shops/hotels
• FYI, electrical current is the same in Guatemala as USA
• Stove builders will work in teams of two. Each 2-person team will need a brick trowel, pointing trowel, torpedo level, 10” plastic sheetrock mud knife or finishing trowel, 6’ tape measure and pencil/paper. You do not need to bring supplies with you unless you want to. You may also bring money to purchase supplies in Guatemala if you wish to contribute to the cost of supplies.

Other items you may want to consider bringing:

Trail mix and/or other “munchies” you might want

Coffee, hot chocolate, tea, gatorade, etc.

Light-weight rain gear

Walkman

Notebook with pen, if you plan to journal

Camera and film

Duct tape

Rubber gloves for dish washing, latex gloves for working in mortar/cement

Tissues

handywipes and hand sanitizer

Bug spray, flea powder, lysol spray

It is a good idea to have $50.00 in cash in case Guatemala increases exit tax from airport. This has only happened once in the twelve years that HSP has hosted teams in Guatemala

HSP promotes transformation and empowerment, and discourages behavior that creates dependency and reliance on handouts. For this reason, please do not bring candy, toys or other gifts to give away. The opportunity to form relationships will be the best gift you can offer or receive on this trip.

INOCULATIONS AND FIRST AID

The standard tetanus and hepatitis vaccinations are suggested. Vaccinations for tropical diseases are not required because we are operating in the temperate highlands region. We will bring a group first aid kit to take care of cuts, abrasions, etc.

HEALTH

Health should not be a problem if precautions are taken with drinking water, milk, uncooked vegetables, and peeled fruits. Carelessness on this point is likely to lead to amebic dysentery, which is endemic.

HSP provides medical and emergency medical evacuation insurance with the trip cost. In addition, have a dental checkup and obtain spare lenses, and a letter explaining the details of any special health concerns or preexisting conditions. (It is helpful to translate documentation to Spanish.)

Keep a copy of any prescriptions on your person, signed by your physician. Make sure that you have the generic name and dosage and that it is translated into Spanish.

INTESTINAL UPSETS

A few participants experience slight intestinal problems. It is not a big deal and usually means a day of sleep. To avoid the situation, don’t eat uncooked fish or vegetables, always peel your own fruit, and give up salads and tap water for the week. Bottled water is abundant and safe - DON’T HAVE A DRINK WITH ICE CUBES AND DON’T SHOWER WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN. Be wary of milk or milk products.

DIARRHEA

Food poison germs normally cause diarrhea. Drinking water is rarely the culprit. Exposure to various organisms such as viruses, bacteria, (the most common cause) amoebae, salmonella and cholera can give rise to diarrhea. If diarrhea is acute (you can time the onset to the minute) then it is most likely due to a virus or a bacterium and/or dysentery and will pass. If it is sub acute, then inform the Partners in Service staff person for medical attention.

SAFETY

We make safety our top priority and follow these safety precautions:

• We do not travel after dark.
• We rent ordinary passenger vans with no markings.
• We limit travel to areas that fall inside the region known as the “golden triangle of tourism” – the Guatemalan government takes special care that this area remains trouble free, as it is a key source of income for the country.
• We hire Guatemalan firemen as drivers. They have professional driving training as well as working relations with regional security officials.
• We check the State Department travel advisories weekly.
• We maintain ongoing relations with local police departments.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The Highlands of Guatemala has a very temperate climate. It can even be cold during the evening and in the shade. We suggest that participants bring clothing that can be worn in layers.

It is important to realize that you will be at high elevations and certain precautions are warranted. We suggest that you invest in a good pair of sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm. It is important to remember to take it easy and not overly exert yourself at these elevations. Participants with heart conditions need to inform and remind HSP staff of their conditions.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

HSP STAFF IN U.S.A:  HSP CONTACTS IN GUATEMALA:

Mr. Benjamin Blevins, Executive Director Ms. Elsa Ramirez, Chief Administrator

hspben@yahoo.com 001.502.5782.0065

804.363.6789

Mrs. Guadalupe Ramirez-Blevins, Co-Director Mr. Marvin Gonzales, Logistics Coordinator

lupelamam@yahoo.com 001.502.5551.9466

804.363.4950

Ms. Anita Mays, Program and Office Manager

anitaemays@yahoo.com

804.536.8350

Highland Support Project

info@highlandsupportproject.org

804.643.8635

AlterNatives

804.342.5886