Countdown!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Accommodations Posted!

Check out the cool places on our accommodations list.  The list is posted on the  P2P Onoard site  Looks amazing.  I'm excited about the Hotel Termas de Papallacta where we experience the hot springs, and the jungle Huasquila Lodge near the waterfalls!  What excites you?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Newest Ambassador

Hi I am Harrison Freni, the newest addition to the p2p group I live in Los Angeles

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Welcome Harrison!

We are happy to have Harrison Jeni join us from CA.  Harrison has traveled quite a bit, and is a budding director/editor.  We hope you tell us all about yourself!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Click Here to Opt-in to receive our Text Messages

You can join in on our text messages by opting in.   Click on the title above to learn how.
 Standard messaging charges apply. 
http://www.call-em-all.com/join/P2P

Monday, May 9, 2011

Uniform on Travel days

Just a reminder... You will be receiving your polo, lanyard and nametag in the mail this week.  your name tag is located in the pocket on the outside of the P2P string bag.  Please attach this nametag to your lanyard and wear it around your neck.
   WEAR on TRAVEL DAY 
__ Polo provided by P2P
__  Khaki, neat long pants or capris
__  Sneaker type shoe/socks
__  P2P Lanyard with Nametag
__  Wrist watch
__  Neck pouch or Waist pouch
       * Wear at all times!  money,  cash/ATM card, luggage key, insurance card,
          passport copy, emergency numbers

Packing List


IN YOUR BACKPACK  (Max. 39” h+w+d / 11 pounds)
__ Name and address card inside
__ List of suitcase contents (packing list)
__ Change of Clothes: (from suitcase list-pants, shirt, socks, underwear + extra t-shirt)
__ Lightweight jacket
__ Refillable empty water bottle – you can fill it after you go through security
__ In a clear 1-quart zip bag, easy to pull out for security check - all liquids & gels 3 oz.
         (100ml) Or less: small shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, lotion, etc.
__ Feminine products, if needed
__ Handi-wipes and hand sanitizer
__ Travel size tissue Travel tubes of toilet paper or extra tissues will come in handy for public
restrooms 
__ Small first-aid baggie: various sized Band-Aids, lip balm, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes,
blister kit
__ Medicines- Prescription and OTC for upset stomach, diarrhea, headaches, pains, cold/flu,
seasickness, etc.  Keep all in original containers.
__ Journal and pens,
__ Address labels for postcards
__ Camera – Inexpensive digital camera, charger, and extra memory stick.  Label with Name,
address, and P2P!
__ Ziploc with playing cards, puzzle book, reading material, snacks, reading book, cards, Suduko,
personal entertainment, mints , Lifesavers, gummy bears or granola bars treats.  We are never sure what airline food there will be.– food needs to be in  sealed bags.
__Handi-wipes or  a washcloth packed in a Ziploc loc bag in your carry-on to refresh on the plane
__  Extra pair of glasses or contacts and cleaning solutions. Pack travel sizes in your carry-on, pack
larger sizes in Ziplocs in your checked luggage.
__ Cell phone for use in the States, or International plan, or phone card.
__ Pack your empty water bottle in your carry-on you can fill it after you get through security. __Bring spending money in US Dollar – Ecuador currency is the same as ours! Small bills are nice 
for local marketplace areas.   AAA Travel Visa Card is an ideal ATM card available online or at any AAA office, can be recharged 3 times.  HOWEVER – we may not have easy access to ATM machines after leaving the airport and bigger cities.
__ There is a limit of two extra lithium batteries that can be carried on – You can not pack in your
checked luggage. (see TSA regulations)  Please wrap each separately in a plastic bag or original package.
__Chapstick

  “If you love it, leave it home.
         If you take it, label it!”
Wrinkle Resistant clothes are great--Zip-off pants are really nice. Lightweight wicking style clothes will dry overnight – heavy cottons will not. Wicking or quick dry clothes, are mostly nylon, and can be found at Dick’s Sporting Goods, or online at Sierra Trading Post, Campmor.com, and other sporting goods stores.
You will wear your maroon PTP Polo and khakis, or (for girls) khaki caprice, every time we fly. No need to bring ANY clothes for dress up.  If we need to look sharp, we will wear our uniforms.  Prepare for warm, cool days, the possibility of rain, and chilly mornings or evenings. Check www.weatherunderground.com for the latest on weather for the cities we will visit.   We may start off needing jackets and long sleeves, warm up during the day, then chill down at night.  Bring layers!
Every outfit you bring must be something that you can wear while walking! Look nice, but be comfortable. We do a LOT of walking (water proof shoes!) You will very active and may be in the rain or cooler or even colder weather than what you are use to.  We will be outdoors  (cold or hot, snow, rain or shine) most every day.  No need for heavy hiking boots.  When we do the jungle hikes, we will use Ecuador supplied knee-high boots. Please make sure Ginny has your shoe size by May 13th.   Please bring one long pair of socks – such as soccer socks – to protect your legs from chaffing or rubbing from the rubber boots.  You will try to tuck your pant legs into your boots.  Be aware that these pants will get very muddy as we hike in the river beds.
Roll Clothes as it decreases wrinkles--use a rubber band to keep them tightly rolled. Have a supply of bread ties to keep zippers together on flights when it is not recommended to lock them--or use a TSA approved lock for luggage. Don't forget comfortable shoes—They will be your best friend--and hiking socks.  Shoes should be appropriate for walking in the rain and cold.  Flip-flops are not appropriate except near pools, beaches, and in the hotels.
Cell phone usage is permitted in hotel rooms and quiet times. However, long distance is expensive.   Check our Blog for some info on free international phone call. You should not loan your phone or borrow a phone.  Cell phones need to be charged, bring charger with adapter. It’s not necessary to have a phone.  Weigh the benefits of being “in the moment”!  Your leaders will carry emergency cell phones.
IN YOUR SUITCASE
   w/ wheels and TSA lock/strap/luggage tag  (maximum: 54”, h+w+d / 44 pounds)
__ Name and address inside bag too
__ Accommodations & itinerary list & copy of waiver
__ 1 pr. jeans/or other rugged pants
__ 2 pair lightweight pants 1 PAIR OF WATERPROOF PANTS SUGGESTED
__ 3 pair walking shorts /capri
__ 5-7 shirts/tops/t-shirts
__ 2-3 long sleeve shirts/tops-cotton good for the jungle
__ Lightweight sweater or sweatshirt
__ Rain jacket with hood.  Umbrellas are not practical raingear. I like a poncho style raincoat,
which rolls up tight and covers you and your daypack.  (You could get a couple disposable ones from WalMart  $.99)
__ Warm sleepwear, or sweats for sleeping and to wear in your hotel room
__ 1 pair of walking shoes/trekking shoes.  Pack any extra shoes in a recycled plastic bag (Wal-Mart
or Grocery bag)
__ 1 pair of water/sports sandals
__ Flip-flops (for shower, hotel, or beach only)
__ 7-9 pair of underwear and socks (Bring old underwear—You can toss as you go. Girls - nylon
washes easily and dries fast
__ Girls- 1 bra and 1 sports bra
__ 3 pair of socks that can be washed or 5 pair if not.  Include 2 long pair of socks
(cotton) for trekking in jungle
__ Bathing suit, no bikini, two-piece tan-kini is OK- no plunging neckline, towel  in plastic bag
            Ziploc for wet swim suit.  Bring an older beach towel that can be used for swimming and to
wring wet clothes out to facilitate quicker drying.  When you are finish with the towel on your trip, toss it to make room for your purchases.
__ Washcloth/soap /Ziploc
__ Personal hygiene products /Ziploc -small shampoo, deodorant, lotion, razor(s), toothpaste,
feminine care products
__ 2-3 hangers with clothespins for washing
__ Shout Wipes or Tide pen and liquid detergent in Ziploc bag. Laundry facilities will be
quite limited.  Items may need to be washed in sinks and dried overnight.  Practice at home.
__ Extra hand-sanitizer or wipes
__ Sunscreen, insect repellent (DEET) must contain DEET.  This will keep the nasty mosquitoes
             away
__ Alarm clock (new battery)
__ Mini-sewing kit & safety pin
__ Retainer (if you wear one at night)
__ Small photo or Ziploc with photos of pets, family, friends – for sharing. You can share these with
friends you meet.  You may NOT get these back so bring some to give away and some to keep and share with others on the trip
__ Extra gallon & 2.5 gallon Ziplocs
__ Empty  small day bag/pack (P2P string bag can be used for this)
__ Hat with brim for sun protection
__ Small binoculars, sun glasses w/strap
__ Small goodwill gifts – pins, flags, etc.
__ book(s) for the school visit to leave for their library or school supplies.
 __ extra camera batteries like AA  *Non-lithium only!
__ flashlight with fresh batteries
__ LEAVE your hairdryer at home!!! Hotels may have them, and we don’t really need them!
__ Wrap some duct tape around your shampoo bottle (or small plastic bottle) to have a supply with
you. Keep in a Ziploc baggie to avoid any leakage
__ Put a new dryer sheet in your dirty clothes bags or in your gym shoes for freshness.
__ A folder or plastic sleeve will protect your paperwork and postcards from getting bent up in your 
            luggage 
__ Toiletries:  travel size tooth brush, travel size brush or comb, toothpaste, shampoo, face lotion, sun
            screen, contact lens fluid, deodorant, shaving kit (boys), and sun screen lotion
__ Jungle Trek gifts – special tokens of your appreciation for hospitality (pencils, erasers, small             games, elementary books, yo-yo’s, bouncy balls, etc.  These are highly appreciated by the
families in the Amazon jungle area we will visit. We suggest bringing at least 3-4 small elementary books in English so that we may leave them with the school on the island.    If you want to bring a XL t-shirt or a baseball cap FROM your favorite sports team, this would be a great gift to the DM, our Bus Driver, and or FOR the students we will meet.  We will visit at least one school and one large orphanage.)
__Girls – sarong – can be used for A skirt if you aren’t bringing one or used for a cover-up, towel,
            blanket, throw… an all-purpose item!
__ Use a neck or waist pouch to keep valuables close to your body
          
        
          passport copy, emergency numbers

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Ecuador Sports

I was reading a book on Ecuador and found out that there are several favorite spots.  Soccer is their number one favorite, then basketball and volleyball.  The sport I don't know much about is Glove Ball.    I'm looking forward to learning how Glove Ball is played, how about you?

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Hey everyone! I am the newest member of the People to People Galapagos Trip. My name is Alexandra Jensen but I prefer Lexie or Alex and I live in Reno Nevada (If you have never heard of it that is fine, neither did I until I moved here). I am 12 years old (Almost 13) and am in Seventh grade. I go to Pine Middle School, it is probally the only school with police there at lunch with drug dogs (FUN). This is my first people to people trip and I am really excited. Find me on Facebook: Lexie Jensen

Boots

Think I put a question about our EGA boots on the South Africa blog by mistake. Sorry.

Hope all you are getting those stats to Ms. Ginny.

How exciting that we're getting so close!!

Ms Molly

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Measurements needed!

Just a reminder to all EGA Peeps!  I need your weight, height and shoe size measurements to send to the company that is arranging our wet suits, and rubber knee-high boots for our jungle hike!  Send me an email with this information asap!  Thanks!  Waiver should be sent to me also!  Mail to Ginny Volle 5431 Palisades Dr Cincinnati, OH  45238