Mante Lodging:
Hotel Mante 831-232-0990 www.hotelmante.com.mx - $55 a night 2 beds (clean but very dated) – has pool – central to Plaza and downtown
Hotel Monterrey – 831-232-2712 – no pool but GREAT place to eat inside hotel! - Older but clean - $30 a night!!!! Bargin price!
J J Inn Hotel –831-234-4040 www.jjinnhotel.com.mx - $56 - $67 a night New - beautiful and pool
Gomez Farias – New Eco Friendly Hotel – Cumbres Inn and Suites! The Base of El Cielo! Swimming pools – Cabins on Cliffs – Simply an amazing property! Zip Line thru Rain Forest – Climbing and repelling – ATV’s – Mountain Bikes – Cave exploring – paintball in the rain forest! - Horseback riding – Canoes - www.hotelcumbres.com.mx 1-866-499-3244 local - 832-236-2218
Hostel in Gomez Farias http://www.tourbymexico.com/tamps/elcielo/hoteles/casapiedra/casapiedra.htm
Tampico Lodging – Hampton Inn (like a 5 star) – 1-800-508-5597 or local 833-230-4500 ext. 154 Adrian Gonzalez, General Manager – www.hamptontampico.com - about $80 a night w/ pool and about 5 min. from the Airport – walk to restaurants and shuttle which you will need to verify their schedule.
Host Families – Su Casa, Mi Casa – They mean It! Bring a variety of small gifts to great your host family. It’s a courtesy. Good places to shop are Hallmark stores , the Boulder art coop stores – Hobby Lobby – they appreciate most everything but something from Colorado or small for their home. Don’t forget a small variety that may work for their kids. They do not to have large amounts of ‘nick nacks’ like we do but helpful items for the kitchen, personalized gifts, small art , Colorado souvenirs – Colorado calendars or picture books - As soon as practical when you arrive offer your Host Family attention and your gifts of appreciation. Most have hosted before. In Advance….. mention your schedule of work in the Medical Mission so
there are in advance some clarity of expectations of meals, and your time. Bedtime for hosts is normally Midnight! Don’t be surprised then if you will have dinner (usually 8 or 9) and plans until midnight. The BIG meal of the day is generally 2:00 p.m. so 8 – 9 is tacos etc. It’s a great experience but perhaps communication in advance of expectations will accommodate both yourself and your host. Step out a little however, your only there for a week!
Word of Caution… If you offer them to visit your home, or Host their son, daughter they will most likely take you up on it! This is a wonderful experience however one that should be taken very seriously with Host Families! Do not say this if you don’t mean it! (See Sister City Mante below for more detail and information!)
Spanish – English – just try your best to use sign language or the essence of the word, take a small dictionary. Most host families want the English speaking experience so they are more than patient and familiar with this communication process. (See helpful words in this section) Have Fun with it!
Get the host families Best No. to reach them and the home no. most have cell phones and ask in advance how to dial their no. Make arrangements for pick up (most are on time) and for drop off at your location the night before. Don’t forget their Address and a method of getting into the home should they not be there some homes have front gates too.
Host family courtesy – Don’t put toilet paper in the toilets – put into the trash even in restaurants etc. – services do not handle any paper products! If you feel more comfortable taking out your own trash, use small plastic bags to replace liners in trash and offer to take out your own trash in the morning – it will be obvious where they major trash can is.
Also take small amounts of toilet paper with you for shopping, restaurants and especially if your going on tours etc. There are very few ‘toilet seats’ either including in some of the larger grocery stores. Often people wonder ‘why’ – the local explanations is… was told that most people considered them a luxury item, they where items to be misused in or stolen from public rest rooms, most of the ones that were sold were of cheap plastic and did not hold up, 35 years ago for the most part there aren’t any in homes, restaurants, anywhere in all of Mexico and have just recently the year 2000 gotten more popular….. so they are taken if placed on toilets even now in public places, they may be taken. (cost about $10 ea. At Soriano)
At Host Families….. Eat what they eat – you’ll enjoy the food experience. Again, even the Mexican’s don’t drink the water! No Worries
FUN Facts: The Cow bell in the A.m. is notification that the large Trash Truck will be coming in the next 5 -15 min. The Loud WHISTLE in the middle of the night is the
“Velador” who has been paid by each of the neighbors, about a $1 a week, as additional protection in the neighborhoods –although areas are safe already. His whistle is to let you and anyone interested that he’s in the area…… |