Thank you for getting involved. We are glad you have decided to join us. We are sure you will find it a very fulfilling and enjoyable experience. One you will not soon forget. This Document has been prepared to answer some of the many questions we think you might have. If you don't find the answer to all of your questions in this guide, please feel free to call the Liga office.

WHEN : - Volunteers leave the first Friday of each month from October through June. The usual hour of departure is between 7 and 8am, depending on the individual pilot (faster planes can leave a little later).

We return from Mexico the following Sunday, usually arriving at your home airport between 2 and 7pm, again depending on the individual pilot.

WHERE - You will depart from the airport where the pilot has his plane. It may be a small airport close by, or it could be as much as an hour or more drive. You will be notified who your pilot will be and the pilot's phone number usually Monday or Tuesday of the week of the trip. You and your pilot will make the specific arrangements as to departure time (usually between 7am and 8am) and where to meet.

HOW - Most of the planes carry 4 to 6 passengers and come in all varieties. The Liga flight coordinator assigns passengers to pilots considering several factors, such as the clinic where you will be working, your location, even how much you weigh!

FRIDAY : - Typically you will take off from a local airport before 8am on Friday morning. Your first stop will probably be Ciudad Obregon. Obregon is 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours south of Los Angeles so, remember to limit your fluid intake Friday morning. At your first stop in Mexico, you will clear customs and immigration. don't forget your passport (see information under Passports). After the pilot refuels and everyone clears Immigration and Customs, you will take off for El Fuerte (about 1 hour). Some clinics work on Friday evening others do not. There is usually a pilot's meeting at the El Fuerte Hotel at 7pm after which we go to dinner. (See Saturday eve.)

SATURDAY - We put in a full day Saturday at the clinics starting by 7 or 8am and work until all patients are seen. Although this is normally by 5pm, many times the surgery teams continue to work late into the night. Saturday night is our time to relax and socialize with the other volunteers in El Fuerte. Some of the volunteers in San Blas prefer to spend Saturday night at a hotel in El Fuerte while others prefer to stay at the clinic. The choice is yours. Some of the volunteers prefer to eat at the Hotel, some prefer the Generals while others swear by the "Taco Stand". It is good-sized group of volunteers, so there will always be someone doing whatever it is you prefer to do.

SUNDAY - On Sunday most pilots like to leave between 7 and 11 am for the return trip. Pilots will stop at an international airport in Mexico to clear customs and immigration and take on fuel. The next stop is usually Calexico or Brown field in San Diego to clear American customs and immigration. You will again be asked for your passport, birth certificate or sometimes just a driver's license. It is important you stay with your plane until the customs agent or your Pilot tells you it is OK to leave.

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If you are traveling on a foreign Visa or passport it is important you understand all the immigration regulations. Make absolutely certain you are not traveling on a single entry visa. They may not allow you to enter the US again. If in doubt check with the Liga office or US immigration prior to your trip.

WHAT SHALL I WEAR? - The main thing to remember is to pack light. The less you bring, the more space in the planes for medical supplies. Please use soft luggage. The is room only for a small duffel bag or backpack. Hard luggage takes up far too much space in the small  planes.

The weather in Mexico is warmer than here, but it can get chilly (60-65) at night, so a windbreaker or sweatshirt may be in order during the winter months.  Jeans or scrubs and shirt are the usual wear in the clinics. Just be sure it's washable! In the warmer months, you may wish to bring a swimsuit. Some of the hotels have a pool.  Be comfortable. You will be sitting in a small space for up to six hours. Loose comfortable clothing makes a big difference. It gets cool aloft, so bring a sweater or light jacket. (You can use it for a sunshade or a pillow if you don't need it for warmth.)

WHERE DO I STAY - There are many wonderful hotel and facilities in which to stay. This is a current list of Hotels and Emergency contacts.

PASSPORT - If you don't have a passport, you can not travel outside the United States Both the US and Mexico Require a Passport to leave or enter. Thus, you must have a valid passport and provide that information to your Liga Pilot to fly to Mexico.

TRAVEL INSURANCE - LIGA Volunteers are encouraged to obtain travel insurance. This would provide a valuable resource in the event that medical treatment would be required, medi-vac service coverage and an opportunity to provide financial support for a wide arrange of unforeseen circumstances. Suggested websites to visit for these types of services could be found at http://www.insuremytrip.com or at www.aopa.org.

FOOD FOR THE FLIGHT - Check with your pilot. Some pilots allow passengers to snack in the plane, while others do not. Sandwich, granola bars, fruit, etc are usually fine. Please don't make a mess or leave crumbs all over.  Remember your pilot is a volunteer too.  While the contribution you make to the pilot for the trip may or may not cover his fuel and direct expense for the trip, it does not begin to cover his actual cost.  The pilots actual cost of a flight is usually 4 times that of the fuel costs.

Most pilots will ask your help in cleaning the plane after you arrive home.  Vacuuming the inside and cleaning the bugs off the outside usually takes your crew less than 20 minutes where it  would take the pilot alone over 11/2 hours. So, please assist your pilot in cleaning up the plane and putting it away.

MONEY - People want to know how much to bring for food and lodging. What you spend is, of course, up to you. You will need 370 pesos for entry and exit visa fees. Hotel rooms run from $30-$70 per night. Most people prefer to share a room. This is usually no problem. Meals are about the same as they are here. Dinner at the El Fuerte Hotel runs from $8-$15 while the taco stand is about $6. There are plenty of choices in between. Better to take a little extra. If you don't spend it, you can always take it home! It is not necessary to get pesos before going on the trip. You can usually get them at an ATM in El Fuerte or just use dollars they work too.  Bring a number of $1 and $5 since you will often get change in pesos.

TIPPING - It is customary in Mexico, as elsewhere. Customary is 15% for waiters. We do not tip our local clinic volunteers, or the volunteers who transport us back and forth from the clinics.

WATER - Many people bring a small bottle of water for the flight. Some prefer sodas, but there are no restroom facilities on the planes, so water and juices are better. By the same token, coffee is not a good idea. There is not the room to bring water for the whole weekend but bottled water is available in Mexico

PERSONAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT - Stethoscope, otoscope, small flashlight, any items of that nature that you think you will need for general clinic work. If you have a specific question, ask your clinic coordinator or call the Liga office. Some people like to bring small items for the children at the clinics. Small cars are popular, as are little dolls and inexpensive toy jewelry. If you have a Polaroid or Digital camera, an "instant picture" is always a hit!

SMOKING - Since we are promoting good health, we ask people not to smoke in the clinics. (We don't let the patients smoke in the clinics either.) As a courtesy to your fellow passengers, please, no smoking in the planes.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - No one wants to monitor anyone's behavior, but please, we do ask that you do not drink in the clinics, as a courtesy to our patients and to our hosts. At the hotels, you are on your own. We ask only that you remember you are representing both Liga and the United States and conduct yourselves accordingly.

PERSONAL BEHAVIOR - We are guests in Mexico and we try to conform to their cultural standards. While we make no restrictions on individual behavior, we don't want to be 'Ugly Americans', so discretion and common courtesy are the rules. For example, please, no criticism or jokes about the country or its people. Don't assume they don't understand English!

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