QUEST - FAQ PARTICIPANTS

What should we pack? Take a look at our packing list     What about medical services? Should I buy travel or supplemental health insurance? Are additional medical precautions needed? Cuernavaca has a wide range of doctors and hospitals. We have arrangements with an English speaking doctor if needed. Supplemental insurance is advised unless you clearly have adequate insurance coverage in a foreign country. Unless pre-arranged with our staff as an 'advanced trip', we do not go into areas of malaria or other diseases. No additional vaccinations are necessary other than Tetanus (which you should have anyway). There may be some intestinal upsets due to different diet (and fresh fruit), so you may want to bring pepto-bismal or eat acidophulus before the trip (either by capsule from a health food store or through yoghourt). We do not recommend either immodium or gravol. Washing your hands frequently is advised. Dehydration may be an issue especially in the dry season (November - April), so be prepared to drink lots of water.     How can I stay in touch with my families and friends? There is a dedicated phone at QUEST to receive calls. It is much cheaper to have families phone here at a specific time, rather than phoning home. Your Group Leader should give you a draft schedule before you leave home, so families will know when to call. The location for our semester program is networked, but our computer equipment is limited. You might bring a laptop that can be connected through our system. Other locations are close to Internet cafes in town. Phone cards which allow international calls can be purchased locally.     How much money should I bring? Should I bring cash or Traveler's Cheques? You only need "souvenir and social" money. American currency ($50) can be brought to change at the airport upon arrival. There are many ATM machines in Cuernavaca that accept bank cards and credit cards. Make sure the bank cards have "Interac, Cirrus, or Maestro" on the back. Do not bring Traveler's Cheques. If your commitment involves leaving a donation to assist people in poverty met on the visits, and in the streets, we will ensure it gets delivered to them. Letters of thanks will be issued to confirm the receipt of donations for projects.     Will there be time to relax, shop, visit friends in Mexico? You will have a very full schedule, which includes time for reflection and relaxation. We help people form cooperatives to sell their crafts, clothes, hammocks, etc. They will come to QUEST one afternoon to sell their goods. There is no 'middleman'. In this way you can pay a fair price directly to the people. Other shopping opportunities will also occur, but you should avoid 'consumerism'. Depending on the length of the program, there may be one 'options' day that can be used to travel to nearby cities such as Taxco or Mexico City. Caution must be taken if a trip to Mexico City is planned due to areas of high crime. No beach resort can be reached in the time available, but there are several water parks for the options day.     Can I leave the group to do 'my own thing'? Although there are scheduled times for personal activities, we prefer you do not miss the group's scheduled activities. These are sequenced in order to build on each other - if you miss a part you will be out of step with your group. In addition, you will also find that you will be creating a supportive community that you can rely on.     What if I have health or physical limitations? Cuernavaca is very hilly, roads are often rough cobblestone, sidewalks are often in disrepair, and wheelchair access is almost nonexistent. The elevation is around 5200 feet (1500 metres), and between November and April (the dry season) dust and asthma may be a problem. If you need prescription drugs, make sure you have adequate supplies, and are in original containers clearly marked with your name and the medication name.     What is the weather going to be like? Cuernavaca is called the "City of Eternal Spring" and has a very comfortable temperature range. It will get pleasantly warm (28-31 C) during the day, and cool (10-15 C) enough in the evening to need a sweater or light jacket. If you come in the rainy season (June to October), bring an umbrella.     What kind of food will be available. Is it really spicy? Can we eat elsewhere? We try to eat "low on the food chain" and serve mostly Mexican dishes with chili 'on the side' for those who want the extra spice. Every second day we have vegetarian, but vegetarian meals are available every day upon special request. We do not recommend eating anything from sidewalk vendors. Our staff can help advise on other restaurants.     What refreshments are available? There is a lounge with fruit, purified water, coffee/tea and other beverages available. Soft drinks are available on an honour system     Will I get some form of credit from a college or university? Are there assignments? That is totally up to the college or university. For some it is an entire graduate course, for others, it is purely experiential. In either case we recommend keeping a personal journal as a way of collecting and focusing your thoughts, and to keep the experience alive.     What are the electrical outlets like? Can I bring a laptop, hairdryer, etc? Although the voltage is similar to North America, outlets are often ungrounded (two prongs). Current fluctuations are common, and a spike protector for a laptop is strongly recommended.     Do you supply towels, sheets, soap, etc? We provide all of the above, but if you want to bring your own and leave them with us, the donation would be appreciated. We will get them to families in need.     Is it true that Mexican men harass women? As you will discover, Latin America is a very machismo society. This is part of the discovery of a different culture. Participants can lessen the impact by dressing conservatively (no tank tops or shorts in town or when visiting). Participants of both genders should always dress respectfully and tastefully. Remember, we go where there are no tourists, and we try to blend in.   What is the risk of natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanos? You can see an active volcano (Popocatepetyl) on the horizon on clear days, but we are well away from any danger zone. Earth tremors are rare and minor.     What if I am underage? Minors (under 18) must have notarized permission of any parent not accompanying them in order to have permission to travel to Mexico. The permission must name an accompanying adult (e.g. college faculty or teacher).     What travel documentation is required? For citizens of Canada and the United States, a Passport or Government issued original Birth Certificate and state issued photo identification (like a driver's license) are required for entrance into Mexico. Do not laminate the above documents. Since September 11, a Passport is very much preferred. Your identification pieces must exactly match your airline ticket. If you have changed your name due to marriage, you must bring a valid marriage certificate. Photocopies and hospital certificates are not valid; native or band status cards may work but are not universally acceptable. If neither is available, you can make a sworn statement of citizenship witnessed by a notary public. Showing proof of citizenship entitles you to a Tourist Card which will be issued to you with your airline ticket or on the plane. This card must be filled in and then stamped by authorities at the airport. It must be returned to them upon leaving the country. You will be traveling here legally as tourists, not on business or as students - both of which require visas. Citizens of other countries should consult http://www.mexonline.com/consulate.htm to see what requirements they must meet.