Mexico Outreach -Travel Packet Leave prepared

Transcription

1 Mexico Outreach -Travel Packet Leave prepared 1. Things to Bring 2. Driver s Info for the Outreach 3. Directions to the Orphanage: Guys Version 4. Directions to the Orphanage: Girls Version 5. Contact Info Things to Bring: PASSPORT! Very important! o Make a copy of the data page. Leave with your family incase of emergency. Consent Form for minors. Must be complete and notarized. Medical ID card. Primary-care doctor contact info. Bible, notepad, pen/pencil. Some spending/pocket money. Clothing for your project (i.e. construction, drama, working with kids, etc ). Dress for the weather: warm during the day and cold at night. Please no short shorts, low cut tops or tank tops. Comfortable, but be modest. Church clothes: dresses or skirts for women, dress slacks for men. Shoes: flip-flops, church shoes, comfortable hiking or tennis shoes. Sleeping bag, bed sheet, pillow. Toiletries and personal hygiene products, including towel, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, prescription meds, vitamins, etc Flashlight, bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, etc Your own water bottle to refill each day. Optional: Camping chair it will come in handy at camp. Charity Cup: Mexico Outreach: MX 08 Traval Packet.doc

2 Driver s Information for the Outreach THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: Obey all laws of both the U.S. and Mexico. Pay strict attention to the driving of the vehicle and the safety of the passengers. APPROACHING THE BORDER FROM EITHER DIRECTION: 1. Quiet voices before actual arrival at the point of inspection. 2. All religious materials out of sight when entering Mexico. 3. AT INSPECTION: Driver is the only one to speak unless the inspector addresses a direct question to someone in the vehicle. That person answers only the question asked and does not volunteer any additional information. 4. DO NOT give any smart answers. 5. You will probably not be asked any questions at the Mexico Port of Entry. If you are stopped, you may be asked: Where are you going? (Answer-Visiting) Where? (Rosarito) With whom? (With friends at a local church) Why? (They asked me to come). 6. Typical question at the U.S. Port of Entry: Place of birth? (By city and state) (If a foreigner, have your passport ready and visible) Where have you been? (Rosarito) What did you buy while in Mexico? (Be honest) DO NOT GIVE ANY SMART OR HUMOROUS ANSWERS. The border guards have heard all of them and are quite tired of them. (Please let us know if any U.S. border guard is unreasonably harsh with you). DRIVING IN MEXICO: You should purchase Mexican Auto Insurance before crossing the border. This is proof to a Mexican officer, should you have some kind of an accident that you can meet any liability you may incur. Otherwise, the officer may impound your vehicle until you can prove your ability to pay. GROUP CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOUR: Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime! When stopping at rest stops or other locations, the group must be vigilant of their surrounds at all times. Individuals must not wander off by themselves. Keep an eye on your vehicles. Go to restrooms in groups. Do not display jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items. Try to blend in, do not be loud, touristy, gringos. Each group and/or individual are responsible for his or her own actions and conduct. Remember, we are going to serve, we represent Christ s Body, doing His work. MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE: Prior to crossing the border there are numerous places you can stop to get Mexican Auto Insurance. Take the San Ysidro Exit. Here are a couple places: INSTANT Mexico Auto Insurance, Border Mexican Insurance Services, Baja-Mex Insurance Services, 2

3 SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT TRAFFIC LAWS IN MEXICO INCLUDE: 1. Make a full stop at all stop signs, even if you see Mexican drivers only slowing down. Stop sign says ALTO. 2. Some traffic signals have a fourth light which is a left turn arrow. It is only for left turns and you must wait for it if you want to turn. 3. A no parking sign is a capital E with a slash through it. 4. Mexican speed limits are posted in kilometers. 40 = 25 mph, 50 = 30 mph, 60 = 36 mph, 65 = 40 mph, 80 = 50 mph, 100 = 62 mph. 1 kilometer = 0.62 of a mile, or roughly 5/8ths. Mexican traffic usually goes somewhat faster than what is posted. However, single American vehicles traveling faster than the limit are fair game for El Policia! Always drive defensively. Be aware of the traffic around you. Our Mexican friends don t place the same value on keeping within marked lanes and signaling when making a lane change. However, you may be stopped if you don t signal. VEHICLE CONDUCT IN VILLAGE OR ASSIGNED CHURCH AREA: 1. Slow down to keep dust from rising. Close windows BEFORE entering village to keep out dust. 2. Watch for kids coming from all directions. 3. When preparing to leave, tell all passengers to enter, close doors and windows and leave slowly but steadily, trying not to raise dust again. 4. Cars should be locked in Mexico. Open windows 1/2" or so for ventilation. 5. Please pull forward for high camp IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT: 1. In case of an accident for which a claim will be presented in either the U.S. or Mexico, first go to the claims adjuster and take care of all the paperwork in Mexico. This is your only proof it happened there. Check insurance policy issued to you for the address of the claims adjuster. 2. In case of an accident in which hospitalization is necessary, the patient must go first to the hospital in Mexico for first aid and then call the claims adjuster. He is able to arrange for almost immediate transfer for a hospital in the U.S. TOLL ROAD FEES: There will be two (2) toll booths in one direction and two (2) toll booths coming back. (A total of four (4) toll booths). As of early March 2008, each toll booth required a toll fee of $2.45. Prices may change by May. Please have at least $10 cash prepared for toll road fees. U.S. currency is acceptable. 3

4 DIRECTIONS TO ORPHANAGE: Guys Version 1. Take the I-5 to the Mexican border south of San Diego at the Tijuana crossing. 2. After you cross the border, follow the signs to the Ensenada/Rosarito Toll Road - also called the scenic route (very well marked). 3. About 45 min. from the border & 20 min. past the second toll booth you will see the La Mision Hotel. Take the La Mision off ramp in front of the Hotel and turn left. 4. You are now heading south on the "free" road. About 4 miles south you will drop into a canyon and see the town of La Mision and a large, flat bridge. Just before the bridge, turn left onto a dirt road. The Door of Faith Orphanage is 1½ miles (2 km) up the dirt road. Drive carefully and prayerfully and have a great trip! If you get lost, follow the girl s directions. DIRECTIONS TO ORPHANAGE: Girls Version Crossing the border: 1. Follow the I-5 Highway to the International border in San Ysidro. If you are arriving as groups of vehicles, put a truck or van in the lead and turn on the headlights of all vehicles. It is possible that this lead vehicle will have to go to secondary and all of your vehicles should follow it so that you can stay together. With the headlights on, the guard will know that you are all together and will pass you through as a group. After the green light and crossing the border or leaving secondary inspection: 2. Get into the right lane. Not the far right, but the third lane from the left or second lane from the right. Follow the sign that says Rosarito, Ensenada, Scenic Road. 3. When you re on top of the bridge immediately get over to the far right lane. It may be a little difficult because cars from that lane will be trying to get into your lane. You will see a sign that says Zona Rio, Playas Tijuana as you are crossing the bridge. The bridge curves around to the right and joins another road after you come down off of the bridge. 4. Next you will see a big hill way down the road. As you are going up the hill you will see another sign that says Playas de Tijuana. Make sure you are in the right lane. At the top of the hill it will say Playas, Rosarito, Ensenada and at the bottom of the hill it will say Ensenada Cuota. 5. The right lane will curve around to join another highway. After merging, get into the left lane. You will see a sign that says Playas Rosarito, Ensenada and then you will go up another hill. 4

5 6. Next you will see Rosarito, Ensenada and you will take the left fork in the road. You are now on the toll road. Enjoy the scenery and the Jesus statue. 7. About 20 minutes, past the second toll booth, you will see the La Mission Hotel. Take the La Mision off ramp in front of the Hotel and turn left. Keep a close eye out for this sign, it s easy to miss. If you reach the third toll booth, you ve gone too far. 8. You are now heading south on the "free" road. About 4 miles south you will drop into a canyon and see the town of La Mision and a long, large, flat bridge. Just BEFORE THE BRIDGE, turn left onto a dirt road. 9. The Door of Faith Orphanage is 1½ miles (2 km) up the dirt road on the left hand side. It has a red brick fence with two tall arcs and some iron work. Enter through the first arc and drive to the rear of the camp. Drive carefully & prayerfully and have a great trip! Contact Info Doors of Faith Orphanage Pastor Narci Dragomir in Rosarito Cipri Boitor Mobile [011-52] In case of emergency U.S. Embassy in Mexico City: from the United States from Baja California U.S. Consulate in Tijuana Charity Cup: Mexico Outreach: MX 08 Traval Packet.doc 5