Hi everyone,
I spent yesterday down in Edinburgh at the World Challenge Expedition Preparation conference getting further training for our trip. I got to meet Ali - who planned our itinerary - and talked to other School and Expedition Leaders about being expedition.
Discussions with Ali - our trip planner - showed just how exciting our itinerary is. She had loads of photos and things to tell me. Here they are in no particular order:
- The Lagunas trek: (our acclimisation trek) might not be going ahead due to security concerns in the area - with buses being stopped by bandits in the area and the passengers being robbed. So Ali is looking at the Cuetzalan trip as a back up option. This trek is actually more convenient in terms of travelling time, but possibly a more challenging warm up trek as we would have to carry full kit, rather than day treks from a fixed campsite. Along the way though there are loads of waterfalls and ruins. It is still at altitude, so still a good training hike. Ali will let us know ASAP about which one we are going on.
- Accomodation: We will be staying in loads of hostels along the way and only camping on - Acclimatisation trek, La Malinche, Sierra Norte and Project. She particulary recommended a place in Palenque were you can hire hammocks on verandas to sleep on in the jungle area (mossie nets a must here!).
- R&R: She also suggested places to visit for fun and R&R - e.g. Africam Safari park, Puebla (a full scale african safari in Mexico) www.africamsafari.com.mx/ , Sumidero Canyon - boat trip up a spectacular canyon near Oaxaca where you can see alligators www.mexperience.com/guide/outdoors/canyon_sumidero.htm
- Food: Ali also said that it is cheaper to eat out in Mexico rather than cook. There is a high standard of hygiene in street vendors etc, so it should be relatively safe. So apart from our treks and project phase it will be street food and local restaurants - I don't mean MacDonalds and Pizza Hut, but local taco and tortilla places!!! Apparently the hot chocolate in Oaxaca is to die for!!!
- Our project: It will be the summer holidays at the school we are going on - but they kids will still be around in the village. The confusion about the details of our project are due to the fact that the local authorities were concerned about the approaching rainy season and have started the waterproofing project early. But there will be loads to do - painting, a mural perhaps, starting a vegetable garden, any thing we want really. The best plan is that we arrive on site, check out what needs to be done then send a team back to Oaxaca to buy the necessary supplies. Until we know what we're doing there is no point in buying stuff here!
Other stuff:
Medical kit: There is an awesome medical kit coming with us - with medicine for just about anything, so don't take any over the counter medicines with you. Bring only your own prescription medications.
Girly stuff: Many of the girls are intending taking the Pill to stop their periods on expedition. This is fine, but it only works if you have been on it for months before hand and also be aware if you get traveller's diarrhoea the pill may stop working and you may still get your period. So bring some supplies just in case. If you have any questions, just let me know.
That's all I can think of just now...
Hope the exams are going well.
Dr F.
