DETAILS!

Bellarmine University Belize Microlending Trip

Sunday

4:45 am Depart Bellarmine University, Horrigan Hall for airport. Driver: Peter K.
6:35 am Departing flight from Louisville International Airport
11:22 a.m. (BZ time) Arrive in Belize, pick up van (bring a snack or pick up one in airport!)
1:00 p.m. Cave Tubing at Jaguar Paw
P.M. Check into University of Belize Dormitory in Belmopan (96 Apartments

Monday
All Day Meeting with BEST & Service for BEST Clients


Tuesday
10:00 a.m. Tour of US Embassy
12:00 p.m. Belmopan Rotary Meeting, George Price Center in Belmopan
o 15-20 minute presentation
o Meeting with Rotary Microlending Committee
1:30 p.m. Travel to and tour Xuantantunich Mayan Ruins

Wednesday

All Day Working with BEST Clients
10:00 a.m. Advisor meeting with Sharon P. at University of Belize

Thursday
A.M. Working with BEST Clients
Mid Day Check out of University of Belize UB Dormitory
Drive to Belize City
Return Rental Vans
4:30 p.m. Water Taxi to San Pedro
o Check into Mayan Princess Hotel, 1-800-850-4101, 011-501-226-2778 http://mayanprincesshotel.com/


Friday
8:00 am Breakfast
AM & PM Beach & Snorkeling
3:30 pm Water Taxi to Belize City
P.M. Check into The Great House, 13 Cork Street, Belize City, Belize, 011-501-223-3400, Toll Free: 1-800-698-2915, http://www.greathousebelize.com

Saturday
10:00 am Hotel Shuttle to Airport
12:20 p.m. Departing flight from Belize
7:30 pm Bellarmine Shuttle pick-up at Louisville Airport & returning to campus. Driver: Andrew S.


GROUND RULES
1. Always be with another member of the group – you are not to be by yourself
2. Notify at least one of the trip advisors of your whereabouts anytime you (and your “buddy”) are away from the group.
3. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted - at any time - during the trip.
4. Full participation in all scheduled activities is expected
5. Communicate any problems, concerns, illnesses immediately to one of the trip advisors
6. Remember to conduct yourself at all times as a guest of the Belizean people and not to be an “ugly American.”
7. Keep close tabs on your passport and ID!


PACKING SUGGESTIONS
In Carry On
o Passport/ID
o Swimwear or shorts/top
o Flip flops/sandals
o Travel towel
o Travel-sized sunscreen*
o Any medication**
o Hat
o Camera
* Customers departing from U.S. airports on any domestic or international flight may bring carry-on bags through security and aboard the aircraft with trial-size toiletries (3.4 ounces or less). Toiletries must fit comfortably in one, quart-size (7.5" x 8"), clear plastic zip-top bag. The zip-top bag may need to be presented separately at airport security so make sure it is easily accessible when you approach the screening area.
**Prescription medication must be in original container and be for the traveler.


In Checked Baggage
o 2 pair light-weight pants/shorts for travel/cultural experiences
o 1 – 2 shirt for travel/cultural experiences
o 1 business casual shirt
o 1-2 pair light-weight pants/shorts for working with loan recipients
o 2 shirts for working with loan recipients
o Comfortable walking/working shoes
o Shower flip flops
o Sleepwear & personal wear
o Extra swimwear (if desired)
o Toiletries
o Towel/washcloth
o Motion sickness bands or medication – esp. if you haven’t spent a lot of time on a boat before!
o Extra trash & zip-top bags
o Sunscreen, bug spray, aloe gel
o Journal/ notebook and pens

Things NOT to bring:
o Jewelry
o Computers
o Other valuables

An event of interest...

On Tuesday, February 23, a new student group, The Progressive Student Union, will be airing the documentary, Killer Coke at 8:00, tentatively set for Hilarys with a panel discussion afterward.

Learn more at http://www.killercoke.org

It's Coming Together!

Here are some links for a sneak peak of our ever-firming itinerary!



Jaguar Paw (Cave Tubing on Sunday!)

http://www.jaguarpaw.com/

Please note, no warning about your bum being bitten!



University of Belize (Accommodations in Belmopan)

http://www.ub.edu.bz/

It is interesting to look at their student handbook.


Xuantantunich (Mayan Ruins)

http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/maya-temples-archaeology/xunantunich-maiden-of-the-rock-3.html

Cool, ancient.

Mayan Princess (Accommodations in San Pedro)

http://www.mayanprincesshotel.com/

Fancy-Smancy!

Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Snorkeling Destination)

http://www.holchanbelize.org/

Beautiful!

The Great House (Accommodations in Belize City)

http://www.greathousebelize.com/

This place has character!

How excited are you?

Packing for Belize, Part II

Below are some suggested links on packing light:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight.htm
http://www.niar.twsu.edu/belize/Punta%20Gorda.htm

Flip Flops!

The University Bookstore has Knights flip flops on sale for $15 in almost all sizes. The flip flops are the thick, supportive kind with tread on the bottoms. They are really comfortable, but would need to be broken in before wearing them in Belize! Stop by and pick up a pair!

I have also heard that there will be a sidewalk sale sometime before Spring Break. That might be a great time to grab some other BU gear for the trip (hats, t-shirts, etc).

Packing for Belize - Part 1

To plan for our trip, Team Belize 2010, here are the luggage and carry-on regulations from Continental Airlines:


Checked Luggage
Continental currently allows each person to check 1 bag free of charge (maximum 50 pounds and 62 inches) plus 1 free carryon. A second checked bag runs $27.00. NOTE: The baggage policies are subject change.

Carry-on Bag
Continental will permit one bag plus one personal item (see below), per customer to be carried on the aircraft.
The maximum combined linear measurement (L + W + H) of the carry-on bag is 45 inches (115 cm)up to 14 in x 9 in x 22 in. The maximum weight of the carry-on bag is 40 pounds (18 kg).

Personal items
In addition to the one carry-on item, you may bring free-of-charge the below items:

• one small personal article such as a briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, camera case, compact disk player or similar sized personal entertainment item
• personal aid devices such as wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches, prosthetic devices and walking sticks, provided passenger is dependent on them
• one infant article such as a small collapsible stroller, a diaper bag or a government approved child seat (larger strollers can be checked in the jetway prior to boarding the aircraft)
• full-size video game consoles (for example Playstation®, X-box®, or Nintendo®), full-size DVD players, and video cameras that use video cassettes (must be removed from carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening)
• CPAP breathing machines (must be removed from carrying case and submitted separately for x-ray screening)

Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.

The following items may be carried on in addition to the one carry-on item:
Purse, coat, rug or blanket, camera or binoculars, reading material (reasonable amount), umbrella or walking stick, infant food and bag, collapsible wheelchair or assistive devices and Duty Free items

Note: Most knives are not allowed past the security checkpoint (including, but not limited to, pocket knives, folding or retractable blades regardless of blade length or composition, box cutters, X-Acto knives, scissors with a pointed tip, straight razors, Leatherman or Swiss Army Knives). Plastic and round-bladed butter knives are permitted in carry-on baggage.

Battery operated personal air-purifying devices are prohibited onboard all Continental flights.

If you are traveling with any liquid, gel or aerosol items, here's a few things you should remember:
Customers departing from U.S. airports on any domestic or international flight may bring carry-on bags through security and aboard the aircraft with trial-size toiletries (3.4 ounces or less) which can be purchased at any drug store.

Toiletries must fit comfortably in one, quart-size (7.5" x 8"), clear plastic zip-top bag. The zip-top bag may need to be presented separately at airport security so make sure it is easily accessible when you approach the screening area.

Additionally, beverages or toiletries purchased inside the airport beyond the security checkpoints will be allowed onboard the aircraft.

Items greater than 3.4 ounces and/or not contained in a zip-top bag may be allowed on board but must be declared to the TSA at the security checkpoint for screening. These items include baby formula, milk (to include breast milk), baby food, juice, medications and liquids/gels that are needed for diabetic or other medical conditions.

Remember everyone, packing light is the goal - you don't want to be lugging a ton of luggage around Belize! Look for a follow-up post soon on things you will and will not want to pack for the trip.

Cultural Possibilities

Hey Team,

Melanie and I put together the links for some of the cultural activities we discussed in class. Please take a look and start a conversation by making comments here. We will make final decisions together in class. As we mentioned, these are only a few options, feel free to add your own links if you come across activities in your own research.

Thanks!
Jessica

General Exploration

• Baboon Sanctuary near Altun Ha http://www.howlermonkeys.org/
• Cave Tubing http://www.travelbelize.org/activities/rainforest-inland/caving-2.html
• Image Factory Art Museum (no official page-see facebook fan site)http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belize-City-Belize/Image-Factory-Art-Foundation/75456647888#/pages/Belize-City-Belize/Image-Factory-Art-Foundation/75456647888?v=wall
• Museum of Belize http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/historical-cultural-sites/museum-of-belize-3.html
• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/rainforest-inland/crooked-tree-wildlife-santuary-3.html
• Cave Tubing http://belizecavetubing.net/

Mayan Ruins

• Altun Ha http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/maya-temples-archaeology/altun-ha-water-of-the-rock-2.html
• Xunantunich
  http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/maya-temples-archaeology/xunantunich-maiden-of-the-rock-2.html
• Caracol http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/maya-temples-archaeology/caracol-the-snail-2.html
• Cahal-Pech http://www.travelbelize.org/attractions/maya-temples-archaeology/cahal-pech-place-of-ticks-2.html