Lugagge and Clothing
Put your belongings in one small bag, large suitcases are not allowed. You are permitted one piece of carry-on luggage which must fit beneath the aircraft seat. Plan that your checked luggage will be delayed. Pack at least two changes of clothing plus permitted toiletries in your carry-on. Travel light and leave room for souvenirs that you may purchase. Do not bring a lot of books and papers. You will not have time to use them.
Experienced travelers wear layers of clothing that allow for easy adjustment to climate changes. Many travelers carry a medium-sized Swiss Army knife for peeling fruit and opening bottles. Remember to put it in the checked luggage when you fly or the airlines will confiscate it.
Suggested Items to Pack
Your one carry-on bag, must be small enough to fit under the airplane seat or in the overhead compartment. You may want to make your carry-on a small backpack or daypack to carry with you in the field. Your checked suitcase should be small. Checked luggage occasionally gets lost, and it may take days for it to catch up with you. Be sure that you have both your checked bag and your carry-on clearly marked, inside and out, with your name, address, and telephone number.
Since clothing is a matter of personal choice, it is impossible to make a checklist suitable for everyone. In preparing your packing list, keep in mind:
- You need to pack for about one week. There will be an opportunity to have laundry done in Veracruz. Alternatively, bring wash-and-wear clothing and launder things a few at a time as we travel.
- You will encounter a wide variation in temperature throughout the trip. The warm extreme is likely to be in the lowlands of Yucatan, Tabasco and Veracruz. The cool extreme will likely be in the Veracruz mountains at the end of the trip.
- There will be certain occasions on which you will need to dress up. These social occasions will still be informal.
There are a few items that you ought to be sure are on your wearing apparel list:
____ Hat (for protection against the sun)
____ Comfortable shoes, suitable for a variety of terrains, including rocks, sand, loose soil, or mud. This is an agricultural field trip. Appropriate shoes are important. Sandals do not offer much protection in the field.
____ A backup pair of shoes to wear while your other ones are drying
____ Sweater or sweatshirt
____ Light jacket or windbreaker
____ Swimsuit
In addition to needed toiletries, you will want to pack:
____ Lip balm
____ Sunscreen -- SPF 15 or higher
____ Insect repellent -- The ones containing DEET are the most effective. (An alternative is Avon's skin cream, "Skin-so-soft".)
____ Alcohol wipes (also called "cleansing wipes", "cleansing towelettes", or "baby wipes")
____ Kaopectate and pink bismuth (Pepto Bismol) (tablets rather than liquid)
____ Bath soap
____ Shampoo
____ A small amount of laundry detergent (for quick laundering of individual articles of clothing)
Some other non-apparel items include:
____ Small flashlight
____ Alarm clock
____ Pocket knife -- one with many utility blades (e.g., a Swiss Army knife) Do not put this in your carry on baggage
____ Camera
____ Sunglasses
____ A pocket-sized Spanish/English dictionary
Stock your carry-on bag with a few snacks. As your stocks run low and there are opportunities to buy more packable snacks along the way, replenish your supply. You never know when you might need a few extra calories to hike those additional miles before lunch is available.
Do not bring:
- Your laptop computer
- Your unfinished thesis
- Loads of books
- Any jewelry, heirlooms, or personal mementos that you do not want to risk losing.
- Anything that might be construed as a weapon
- Any controlled substance
Student Travel Insurance
Student travel insurance will be purchased for all students. The coverage is excess of other valid and collectible insurance only. If you are interested in the details of the coverage you may contact the Cornell Insurance Manager.
Other Important Advice
Be punctual and courteous at all times. Stay together and give undivided attention to your hosts and interpreters. Do not chit-chat while they are talking or while professors are adding information.
Do not stray from the group. The itinerary is tight, and we must stay on schedule to complete our visits. You will be given adequate time to "do your own thing". Do not do it during scheduled visits.
When visiting farms, do not take anything (such as a piece of fruit from a tree) unless it is offered to you. Shorts may not be worn for any visit. Etiquette has visitors and guests dressing "up" on special occasions.
Do not take pictures of people or their property unless you are absolutely certain they approve.
Carry your money and passports securely. Do not wear a necklace or earrings that you are unwilling to lose. Carry your identification with you at all times.
It is prudent that women not walk alone at night. It is preferable to walk with men or in groups of at least three. All should avoid unlit areas at night.
