Mexico 2016www.meetjorge.com.au

IT'S HAPPENINGGET ORGANISED

Mexico 2016www.meetjorge.com.au

GETEXCITEDIt's official, we're going to Mexico to explore the

country as the locals do and to meet the artisans

behind Tío Jorge!

We'll be ordering custom pieces direct from the

makers, over indulging in amazing local food and

taking in the gorgeous landscapes we wander

through.

Thank you for choosing to travel with Meet Jorge.

THE LOWDOWNCapital City

Currency

Language

Religion

Manners

Mexicans are generally very polite when conversing with each other

please (por favor) and thank you (gracias) with a smile will go a long way

Mexico

KEY SPANISH PHRASES

Please

Thank you

You're welcome

It's okay

Excuse me

Sorry

Yes

No

I don't understand

Slowly Please

Do you speak English?

Hello

How are you?

Good thank you and you?

How did you sleep?

What is this?

How much?

One more please?

The bill please

Where is the bathroom please?

One ticket please

Let's go

Por Favor

Gracias

De nada

Está bien

Discúlpe

Perdón

Sí

No

No entiendo

Mas despacio por favor

¿Habla Inglés?

Hola

¿Como estas?

Bien gracias, y usted?

¿Cómo has dormido?

¿Qué es estoy?

¿Cuánto cuesta?

Una más por favor?

La cuanta por favor

¿Donde es el baño por favor?

Uno boleto por favor

Vamos

Mexico City or locally known as D.F. (Distrito Federal)

Mexican Peso (mx$)

Spanish along with 68 recognised indigenous languages

Mostly Roman Catholic

Meet Jorge includes all transport and accommodationfor your journey as well as 12 breakfasts and 2 dinners

PRICEGUIDE

Coffee

Corona

Street food

Restaurant meal

$5.00

$4.00

$2.50

$15.00

$40.00

$30.00

$40.00

$500.00

Hammock

Silver Bangle

Leather Handbag

Hand Loomed Rug

FOODDRINK

&

HOMELIFESTYLE

&

The above figures should be used as a guide onlyPlease note prices can vary drastically according to the area Prices are in Australian Dollars

To assist you in budgeting for additional meals, treats andof course, shopping, here is a rough guide to prices in Mexico

Meet Jorge organises as much as possible for you but there area few things you need to do to ensure you're trip-ready!

To make it super easy to keep track of what you have andhaven't organised we've compiled this little check list

INSURANCE FLIGHTS

ESTA

Flights are not included in yourtour. Keep an eye out for a cheapdeal with your preffered airlinebut be sure not to leave it to late.

For those of you flying via theU.S. into Mexico you will need toapply for an ESTA, a US travelauthorisation . Applications arecompleted online.

Travel insurance withemergency evacuation iscompulsary to join all Meet Jorgetours. Be sure to organise yourinsurance at the time of makingyour deposit.

ADDITIONALACCOMODATION

BANK NOTIFICATION SPENDING MONEYWe recommend notifying yourbank of your travel dates toensure they do not restrict youraccess due to unusual spending.

You will find it difficult toexchange Australian Dollars inMexico however most banks arewilling to exchange AmericanDollars to Mexican Peso's.Although most ATM's will allowwithdrawals from VISA cards, wedo not recommend relying onsolely ATM's.

Meet Jorge uses a CommBank travelcard which charges roughlyAUD$3.50 per ATM withdrawal pluslocal withdrawal fees. At this pointhave not had issues accessing funds.

As we meet at 8am on day one,you may like to book nearbyaccommodation for the nightbefore we meet. Our journeyfinishes after dinner on the finalday so you may also wish to bookpost-journey accommodation.

HEALTH CHECKSMART TRAVELLER

We recommend visiting yourdoctor for a travel health checkand to ensure you are up to datewith all relevant immunisations.You should also have a currentdoctors certificate for anymedication you are carrying.

As part of your pre-travelplanning, you should register yourtravel details with the Departmentof Foreign Affairs and Tradethrough the smart travellerwebsite.

CHECKLIST

Knowing what to pack, and in what, can be a challengefor even the most seasoned travellers

PACK vs CASE

We recommend hand-washing underwearLaundry is available sporadically for a fee

DO Carry a doctors letter for all medicationDO Label your pack/case with your name and addressDO Place a recognisable ribbon on your pack/caseDO Keep a photocopy of your passport and traveldocuments in your luggageDO Leave a photocopy of your passport and traveldocuments with a family member or friend at homeDO Lock your pack/case when out of your sightDO Carry a second lock for storing valuables inlockersDO Ensure your shoulders and mid-section arecovered when visiting churchesDO NOT Enter churches or restaurants wearing hatsor sunglasses DO NOT Put any liquids over 100ml in carry-onDO NOT Travel with any valuables (including camerasand laptops) in your check-in pack/case, these shouldbe in your carry-on

Please note this is simply a recommendation andthis list should be used as a guide only

With the weather and our activities in mind, here isa suggested packing guide for our journey

Deciding between a pack and case is acompletely personal choice however werecommend that whichever you opt for,you keep it as small and light as possible.

Our favourite pack is the Osprey Porter 46.Alternatively, the Osprey Sojourn 25"/60Lis a fantastic option with wheels but canalso be worn as a pack when preferred.

Underwear1x pair of jeans1x pair of neat light pants3x T-shirts2x shorts/skirts and shirts or 2x day dresses1x thick jumper/jacket1x Light rainproof jacket1x Swimwear outfitSunglasses and sunhat

Comfortable walking shoes* and socks if necessary Thongs/flip flops Shoes/sandles suitable for restaurants

Microfibre towelToiletriesPain killers, medications and basic first aid kitSun protection cream and Insect repellentImodium(also known as Loperamide) tablets or similarHand sanitizer and/or wipes

Plastic bags for seperating washingBasic Sewing kitPens and small A6 notebokU.S. Power adaptersHandbag or small day bag

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*Hiking shoes are not necessary

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PACKINGGUIDE

GOOD TOKNOW PHOTOGRAPHYMexico is a beautiful country in its landscapes and its people, both equallydeserving of your cameras attention. No matter how beautiful their dress maybe, please ask prior to taking anyone's photograph as many Mexican's live bytraditional customs.

LANGUAGEAlthough we will meet some English speakers, the most widely spoken languagein Mexico is Spanish. We recommend you try to remember at least a few keySpanish phrases.We will also be visiting some small villages where the local indigenous languageis spoken and Spanish may be limited in these communities.

CULTURE SHOCKThe relaxed lifestyle of the Mexican people can often mean that things don't goexactly to plan. Don't be surprised if we arrive at a workshop to find it closedbecause a friend of a friend of a friend of our artisan is getting married and he isone of 500 guests and has been unable to arrange a cousin to manage theworkshop for the day and the only phone line in the village was down.Just "tranquila" (take it easy), everything happens for a reason (and we alwayshave a back up plan!)

Although almost half of the Mexican population are living in poverty, begging issurprisingly uncommon in comparison to many developing nations. Instead,people try to earn money in any way they can, particularly from tourists.Whether that be by playing violin to you in a restaurant around the square orselling you roses as you wander the cobble-stone streets, be prepared to kindlyrefuse with a "no, gracias" when you're first approached, or pass over a few coins. As hard as it may be, we do not recommend purchasing anything from childrenas this encourages the adults to keep them out of school.

Mexico has five times as many people as Australia in an area less than a quarterthe size so it's possible that you might be a little over-whelmed at first but thewarm-hearted Mexican people will soon have you feeling at ease. Expect offersof assistance whenever you may looked slightly lost and to be wished "provecho"(enjoy your meal) as fellow diners leave the restaurant.

AND SO THE ADVENTURE BEGINS..

MEET JORGEAuthentic Travel Experiences

www.meetjorge.com.au