This workshop is being cosponsored by Edupaz and the International Renewable Resources Institute (IRRI).

Food and Lodging

All Lodging, meals (beginning Sunday morning, April 20 and ending with breakfast on April 26th) and transportation (from/to San Cristobal de las Casas and during the course) are included in the tuition price. Food and lodging will be provided by a local co-operative in Tziscao. Food will consist of local cuisine and lodging will be shared rooms and bathrooms with hot water in cabanas on the shore of Lake Tziscao. Camping options are available. Those with special lodging or food needs should contact IRRI directly. The course will be held in La Casa de Salud, (The house of Health) run by EduPaz (Education for Peace) a local educational organization devoted to promoting peace through ecology, equity, and justice.

Logistics

Participants should plan on being in San Cristóbal de las Casas by the evening of April 19, 2008. We will have an introductory meeting at 6 pm in La TierrAdentro, a cultural center and café in the center of San Cristóbal to discuss the plan for the week and to take care of any last minute details. This is only one block from the center of San Cristóbal and a short hike from the bus station. (Tierra Adentro, Real Guadalupe No. 24, Centro, San Cristóbal de las Casas, (967) 674 6766, www.tierradentro.org.mx) Information and messages regarding the courses will also be posted and can be left at Tierra Adentro for anyone arriving late or for any unforeseen change of plans. Lodging in San Cristobal on Saturday night is not included in the course cost, but there are a number of excellent options within a short walk of Tierra Adentro for between $11-30 USD (see lodging suggestions below).

San Cristóbal is less than an hour from the airport in Tuxla Gutierrez, the capital city of Chiapas. Multiple flights are available daily to Tuxtla Gutierrez from Mexico City, as well as other major Mexican cities. Van and taxi services are available to San Cristóbal, the cost is between $10-40 USD, and can be less expensive if participants share a taxi or wait for the collective vans services. IRRI Mexico can help arrange transport once we know everyone's travel itineraries.

Click here for a map of San Cristobal.

Bus service to San Cristóbal de las Casas from other Mexican Cities is provided by ADO and OCC and arrangements can be made at www.ticketbus.com.mx. From Mexico City the trip is about 14 hours and there are overnight itineraries. Participants may already be traveling in country and can contact IRRI Mexico directly for travel options.

We will depart TierrAdentro at 9 am, Sunday, April 20 in vans for Tziscao, Chiapas on the Guatamalan boarder-a beautiful 3 hour trip through the mountains. The course will run through Saturday, April 26th, and transportation will be provided the same afternoon from Tziscao back to San Cristóbal. We will arrive in the evening, and participants should plan their post-course travel accordingly.

Some suggested lodging options:

Hotel "San Martin"
Calle Real Guadalupe No. 16
San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas
C.P. 29200
(967) 678 0533
hotelsanmartin@prodigy.net.mx

Hotel Posada Margarita
Real Guadalupe No. 34
San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas
C.P. 29200
(967) 678 0957
www.hotelcasamargarita.com

Shipping address (to be received Sunday morning April 20 or possibly during the course)

EduPaz
1a. C. Sur Ote. No. 49, La Pila
Comitan de Domínguez, Chiapas
C.P. 29045
Mexico

Useful Information about Mexico

Climate:
Tziscao enjoys a temperate climate and clean, fresh mountain air. Evenings can be cool, as can winter months - so pack some warmer clothes in case the weather becomes unsettled; which can happen around here. Rain can also be a feature, so pack a waterproof overcoat and hat. Also, bring a bathing suit as there are beautiful lakes to swim in if there is time.

Passports & Visas: If you are coming from the US, Canada or many European countries, you will not need to get a visa before arriving. Be sure to check the specific requirements for your country of citizenship. Citizens of many countries will be able to enter with a tourist visa that you get at the airport. People from other countries should check with the Mexican Embassy or Consulate nearest to them to find out about visas.

US citizens now need a passport to reenter the United States from Mexico. A passport is also necessary for obtaining a student visa and cashing traveler's checks.

IMPORTANT: When you enter Mexico, an immigration officer will put the number of days you are legally allowed to stay in Mexico on your tourist card. Be sure to keep this tourist card safe (put it in your passport) since losing it will also mean a trip to the immigration office and lots of paperwork and possibly a fine. Even though the maximum amount is 180 days, the period that the immigration officer gives you at the airport/border may be as little as 30 days. If you are planning to stay in Mexico more than 30 days, be sure to check the number of days that is given to you so that you can extend it on time and avoid paying fines.

Money: The ideal way to get money while you are here in Mexico is with an ATM card from your bank at home. ATM machines are readily available all over Mexico and accept cards from all over the world. Just check to see that your ATM card has the symbol of an international system such as Cirrus, Plus or NYCE. You will receive cash in pesos, although some machines, such as at the airport give you a choice of pesos or dollars. It is recommended, however, that you check with your bank to see what kind of withdrawal/exchange fee they may charge. Some US banks have agreements with Mexican banks.

Traveler's Checks are another option for bringing/accessing money while you are here IF you bring traveler's checks, be sure to bring a PASSPORT. A driver's license and birth certificate will not be sufficient ID to exchange the checks.
You may also bring cash, if you wish, but you will want to make sure you keep it safe.

Credit Cards: Major credit cards are accepted in many upscale stores, restaurants, and hotels. However, Mexico still has a predominately cash economy, so most small shops and restaurants do not take credit cards, making it difficult if you plan to use them as your primary means of payment You can use credit cards to get cash advances through most ATMs, but you will need your PIN number. Getting a cash advance through the bank, not the ATM, can be complicated.

Health & Medical Care: Good quality medical care is available in Mexico and is generally much cheaper than in the US. If you should become ill, IRRI will help you find a doctor or hospital nearby. You should check with your insurance provider before coming to see if your insurance will cover you in Mexico, or sign up for a short-term travel insurance plan. In any case, you will need to be prepared to cover expenses initially in cash or with a credit card, then ask for reimbursement.

Medicines are easily obtained in Mexico and many items that you would usually need are available, at a lower cost than in the US. However, for short-term visits, it is best to bring what you will need while here.

Contrary to what many people may have told you before coming, you don't have to get sick when you come to Mexico. Don't drink the tap water. But, you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables, raw, if you clean them properly.

Mail: The mail service in Mexico is not particularly efficient or reliable. To ensure receipt of important items, you should have them sent by DHL, Federal Express or UPS. Duty is charged on many things coming into the country by mail - including used clothing, so don't plan on having a lot of things sent to you. Books are probably the safest things to receive. And of course letters are fine, though they may take a couple of weeks, so don't plan on receiving them unless you are staying for an extended amount of time. Email is the best way to keep in touch while you are here.

Phones: Telephone calls from land lines or cell phones to/from the US and most countries is quite expensive. Some cell phone services have plans that include Mexico, but be sure that you are quite clear on how you will be charged for various types of calls. Also, some services may not work at all when you are here, and it may require a change in a SIM card. Be sure to check with your cell phone service provider before coming.

You can purchase phone cards in Mexico to use at pay phones. This helps limit the amount of money that you spend. Again, it is best to use email to stay in touch, or an internet telephone at an internet cafe where they charge as little as 10 to 20 US cents per minute for a call.

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT MEXICO
Many people think of Mexico and think "CHEAP." As Mexico struggles to improve living standards for its people and to become a player in the world economy, the cost of living has risen dramatically. There are still many things that are inexpensive, but many prices are much higher than one might expect

Some good deals:

• Handcrafts can be purchased for little money, but if you are seeking true quality, artistic work, you may be surprised.
  
• Music and software can be much cheaper - though not originals, but don't expect to get good deals on electronics.
  
• Smoking is common especially among upper-middle class Mexicans, and many expats from countries where smoking is considered anti-social, enjoy the relaxed attitude. Cigarettes cost about US$2 per pack and they can also be purchased individually.