Hermosa Beach Sister City Association

What to expect

During the first day or so you may experience a little homesickness. Please be patient. Keep in mind that your Loreto visitor may experience the same feelings of homesickness when they come to visit you in July. This is perfectly natural and will go away after a few days…. promise!!!!

Be familiar with and try saying the salutations in Spanish, such as

o Gracias (thank you)
o Por Favor (please)

Be courteous (kind, patient, good) and helpful throughout the entire trip. In your Mexican family's house, please offer to help with the chores, such as make your bed, pickup after yourself. Remember, you are our ambassadors to Loreto. =8-)

Please follow the family's rules. It is important to ask permission to go somewhere; don't just "tell" them where you are going, please ask if is OK.

Be extremely cautious of the sun. Don't stay out in the sun without protection (sun screen, shirt, hat)

Take it easy the first 3 days especially.

Drink plenty of water. Purified bottled water is easily available throughout Loreto and surrounding areas. Avoid getting dehydrated.

Food. The biggest meal is eaten at noon. So remember to eat heartily at this time because the family has a lighter meal in the evenings.

Most homes in Loreto have septic tanks, so be careful to put toilet paper in the trashcan and not flush.

Remember, we are all basically the same. We are here to help one another, so have fun, smile and keep in mind this is a wonderful experience you will cherish the rest of your life.

What to pack

Leave your valuables at home. If it means a lot to you, leave it at home.

What to bring on the airplane:
Backpack
Passport - to provide to chaperone at airport
Bottle of water
International Phone card
Book or magazines to read on the plane
Disposable camera
A sleeping pillow (optional).

Money: Don't bring more than $75. Bring one-dollar bills, they do take U.S. dollars and prefer not to take large bills. The change you receive will be in pesos. So if you use $1 bills you won't have a problem with leftover pesos.

• Clothing:
  Hat
  Jacket or sweatshirt
  Beach Towel
  Bathing Suit
  T-shirts
  Tennis shoes
  Flip-flops or sandals
  Enough underwear & socks to go without doing laundry for a week
  One nice outfit:
  Girls = skort, skirt or dress
  Boys = pants & nice button down shirt

• Plastic bag or pillowcase for soiled items, clothes etc…

• Toiletry items: Regular or large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and body wash - it's nice to leave this behind for your host family. Toothbrush, deodorant; and other personal items. A few band-aids, Tylenol/Advil, chapstick, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, washcloth (if you use one), Kleenex, handiwipes (small travel package)

• Dictionary: A small paperback English/Spanish dictionary. It's fun to leave the dictionary behind as a gift to your Loreto family. Many families don't have one and it would be a thrill to receive yours as a gift.

• Notebook & Pen to get names/address/phone numbers of your host family and other new friends.

• Personal Cards: Prepare several 3 x 5 index cards with your name, mailing address, phone and email address. You will be asked over and over again for this information and it's just easier to hand it out without spending a lot of time writing "on the spot".

** Don't over pack - leave room for souvenirs and gifts!

Notes to the parents

Telephone calls from Mexico to the US are very expensive and many families cannot afford to pay for such calls. If you think or want your child to call home, please allow them to call collect or provide them with an international calling card for their use.

Be assured that the Loreto host parents will care for your child as if they were their own. After all, they will be in the company of their own child the entire time of the trip. You don't have to worry about your child. We promise!

Your child can expect to be greeted at the airport by the entire host family. They will probably have a small gift for him/her upon arrival. It is customary but not necessary to take a small, inexpensive gift for the host family and/or brother/sister and to give it to them upon arrival at their home, plus a small gift for the host child. Often times the host family gift is one of practicality - something the entire family might enjoy or something for the kitchen. The list of possibilities is endless, but if you have trouble finding something, give one of us a call and we will try to help you decide. The gift for the host child should be something your own child would like to receive - please keep it small and inexpensive.

The host family will most likely send some type of gift to you when your child returns home. It usually is representative of Mexico - especially Loreto. Again, it will probably be something small but very meaningful. Then, when your Loreto student comes up in July the same tradition goes in reverse order.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us. We want to do everything to assure your child will have a fun, safe trip they will always remember.

Regards,

George & Amparito

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