FAQ about the Cinco de Mayo mission trip

 

 

Where is Cinco de Mayo located and when does the trip take place?

 

Cinco de Mayo is a small agrarian community of about 50 families located 35 miles south east of the Brownsville, TX / Matamoros, MX border. Our trip takes place annually over the Christmas holidays. This allows us to accommodate the JCCHS students who participate in the trip for their service project and other students who are on break. This year’s trip will take place from Tues., Dec. 26, 2006 - Tues., Jan 2, 2007.

 

How many people make up the team and how do they get to Mexico?

 

We can take anywhere from 7 - 14 people. We use two 8 passenger, JCCHS vans. We require two drivers/ chaperones per van. If we have 4 adults, we’ll take 14 people in all. We take two days to travel to and from Cinco, staying overnight with a family in Beaumont, TX. each way.

 

Can team members opt to fly instead of drive by van?

 

In the past we have had team members fly into Brownsville, TX, but it is difficult to coordinate, so we prefer that the entire team ride together in the vans. The drive down also gives everyone an excellent opportunity to get to know each other. However, if necessary, exceptions can be made.

 

 

What is the cost of the trip for each team member?

 

The cost of the trip is about $150 - $175 per person. That covers your food on the trip down and back, your hotel room, your visa at the border (when applicable) and a $25 donation to the mission fund to defray the cost of the trip ($50 for non-parishioners).

 

Where does the team stay while in Mexico?

 

Where does the team eat their meals?

 

The team eats most of their meals in Cinco de Mayo where they are prepared by a group of women in the village. There are lots of beans, rice, fresh tortillas and chicken. It’s all very good. There is a small restaurant in the hotel where you can eat a quick breakfast if you like. There’s also a great bakery in Valle Hermoso and a pizza place  that we frequent.

 

Should I bring  food with me?

 

It’s always a good idea to bring healthy snacks and drinks for the ride down, but there is no need to bring additional food to eat in Mexico. Everyone finds more than enough to eat with the meals that are prepared for us in the village.

 

Do you avoid drinking the water in Mexico?

 

Yes. The tap water in Mexico is unsafe. We take water from the U.S. to consume during the week.  The people in the village use rain water, which is safe to cook with.

 

What documents are needed to enter Mexico?

 

 To get in you must have an original birth certificate or current passport. However, after 2006 a passport will be required to enter Mexico, We also ask that you bring a photo ID such as a driver’s license. Since we enter the interior of the country, we are required to obtain a short term visa at immigration on the border.

 

Are there any immunizations needed to travel to Mexico?

 

There are no immunizations necessary to enter Mexico. We recommend that team members contact their doctors, the Jefferson County Health Dept or CDC prior to the trip to learn the latest about suggested immunizations.

 

Do I need to speak Spanish to be part of the mission team?

 

No. We always have at least one person on the team who is fluent in Spanish. Most of the team does not speak Spanish, though many of the high school and college students do very well with what they have learned in Spanish classes. Communication is rarely a problem.

 

What do team members do all day in Cinco de Mayo?