Photo Week in Merida - Mexico

[Eric Rose]

Jorge and I have been working on getting a group trip organized for either the month of July or August in Merida. This is a beautiful old Mexican/Spanish town in the Yucatan. Closely situated around Merida are several major Mayan ruin sites and a few lesser ones. In addition to that you have the usually stunning Mexican landscapes, old buildings, wonderful people and outstanding food.

The plan is to keep it very informal and cater to as many interests as possible. I envision the group consisting of no more than 10 participants. We could rent 2 vans for transportation. That way if one bunch wants to go and do churches at sunrise and the other a Mayan ruin we can split up. I have contacted a great B&B in Merida that my wife has stayed at and felt it would suit our needs. I am just waiting for the group rates, but they do have availability. One of the advantages of staying in one place is that we can all sit around and gab photography, plan the next days adventures and make use of the lap pool to cool off.

This is open to all manner of analog photography, I know Jorge and I will probably be using LF, but everyone is welcome.

While my primary business is scuba travel (I'm a partner in a travel agency) this project is in no way associated with my business. I just want to be able to pass along any advantages I can to the participants. I will not pocket any commissions and if any are included in the accommodations (which I doubt) I will subtract them from the price paid by the participants. You will only be charged NET prices. It's probably best if you pay the accommodations people directly, but if you choose to run it thru our company I would have to cover the cost of using a credit card, usually 3%. I only mention all of this as once it came out that I am in the travel industry someone would think the only reason I am trying to organize this is to make a buck. Just not the case.

While Jorge is associated with APUG this group trip is in no way sponsored or endorsed or associated with APUG. We are just two photographers wanting to get a bunch of like minded people together to share a common experience and learn from each other.

Jorge can bring a lot of local experience to the trip which will make it that much more productive and enjoyable.

So what do you think?

Are you in?!

Eric

 

[karl]

Wow, that sounds great.

I love that area of Mexico. (especially with how much snowing is coming down in Pittsburgh right now) How much might we be looking at in terms of cost? July would probably work better for me.

Have Canham 8x10, will travel.

karl

 

[Jorge]

If anybody wishes to do the bathroom developing routine I will be glad to bring trays and drums for the use of the members. Also I will bring the 12x20 if you wish to try and see if this is something you would like to try in the future this is your chance to give it a shot.

 

[Eric Rose]

Here is the reply from the accommodations gal. I have included the entire message from her:

Hi again Eric. I have the following available:

1 Guest house, with 2 bedrooms, one bedroom has a queen bed, the other 2
twin beds. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. Weekly rental US$525
3 townhouses with 2 bedrooms each, one bedroom has a queen bed, the other 2
twins. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. Weekly rental US$500
1 Apt with 2 bedrooms, one bedroom has a queen bed, the other 2 twin beds.
Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. Weekly rental US$500
2 Apts of 1 bedroom each. The bedroom has a queen bed. Weekly rental US$325

If you come as a group of 10 or more, I can offer you a group discount of
5%. Please note the guest house, the 3 townhouses and the 2 bedroom apt, the
cost is for the house. Each of these places can accommodate 4 adults
comfortably. In the case of the singles, well, I don't think they would be
that friendly that they would share a queen bed! But if there are 3 singles,
then perhaps they can draw straws for the queen bedrooms. Does this help
with your planning process? Thanks Eric, I look forward to hearing from you
further.

Regards,

Bonnie Wrenshall
In Ka'an Bed and Breakfast
and other Accommodations

Bonnie tells me the week of July 11 to 18th is booked up. The rest of July and August is open.

If you want to check out their website it's www.inkaan.com

I don't know about you, but I'm real excited about meeting some of you and learning all kinds of new stuff. And of course creating some outstanding images!

Unless someone has a better alternative for accommodations lets set ourselves to determining a date. I propose July 19th to 26th.

Eric

 

[Jorge]

Ok so if I understand this correctly, the max price to accomodate 3 adults is $525 which comes to about $175 per person for a week! that is not bad at all.
Even the 1 bedroom for $325 is not a bad deal, since I plan on doing the developing in bathroom routine I would probably go for one of those.
Figure $50 a day for food etc, and add about $10 for car rental the hole trip will cost about $475 a week for lodging, food and car rental. Of course this is not including air fare but that varies according where you are comming from. I think spending $500 to $600 for a week long photo trip is an excellent deal.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

This sounds really interesting. I'd have to see how our summer plans shape up, though. My wife and I really want to spend the summer on Moloka'i (she grew up in Honolulu), and there are lots of interesting photographic opportunities there (in fact, the photo I've put in the traveling portfolio is from Moloka'i), but if it works out that I'm not out there when this happens, I may try to make it.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[Jorge]

Unfortunatelly aggie it is hot and humid. it is a coastal are near the equator so......best bet is to bring very light clothes.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[Jorge]

Aggie it is definitly not as Humid as Caracas. Although it is hot and humid there is also a very nice breeze in those months. I have been to Caracas and Brasil in the summer for work, not an enjoyable experience.

 

[Eric Rose]

Hey everyone lets get an interest list going. Email me at:

the4x5guy@hotmail.com

and I will put your name on the list. No financial committment at this point, although usually 60 days out is when we need to make final payment on the accommodations. The rate will depend on how many people we end up getting. I can always give you a quote on airfare from your home airport as well if you need it.

I know July is a long way off, but in the travel world it's just around the corner.

If we don't get some firm action on this in the next couple of weeks I will have to assume it's a dead issue.

Eric

 

[SteveGangi]

Wish I could be there, but I am chronically short of time and cash, and with the Shuttle disaster, all hell is going to break loose at work