Delegation FAQ

 
 
What kinds of things will we be doing on the delegation? Delegation activities will be decided on a daily basis, based largely on the on-the-ground situation and the requests from our Honduran partners. Activities may include:

• Visiting the non-governmental human rights office
• Accompanying lawyers and human rights promoters to detention facilities and hospitals to verify the whereabouts and condition of detainees
• Meeting with the US Human Rights Officer and/or Ambassador
• Being present at some demonstrations as observers (not participants)
• Following up with the work of previous delegations (in communication with Honduran partners, officials and organizations)
• Visiting regions in the aftermath of repression to take personal testimonies
• Holding occasional press conferences, in coordination with Honduran partners
• Writing and sending daily reports to our home countries / constituents

Please see an example of a past delegation schedule here.

2. Is it possible for our delegation to schedule a visit to meet with some people I know/used to work with?

It is important to remember that the purpose of these delegations is to provide a witness/observation and accompaniment presence in the current context of political upheaval and violation of human rights. We must be responsive to the reality on the ground as it unfolds during our presence in the country. While we welcome suggestions for activities and visits, we must remain sufficiently flexible and responsive to events on the ground and therefore cannot guarantee the accommodation of all special requests. You can always come early or stay after your delegation, though we suggest you do this in at least groups of two, for your own security.  

3. Is it dangerous to travel to Honduras right now?

While the US State Department has discouraged all “non-essential” travel to Honduras due to the political crisis, dozens of US and international delegations have come to Honduras, stayed an average of one week, and departed—all with no problems of any kind. Furthermore, we at the Quixote Center feel that the work of first-hand observation and denunciation of human rights violations is absolutely essential in the context of ongoing repression and violence. Our delegation staff has experience working and leading delegations on the ground in post-coup Honduras, as well as experience leading delegations in other Central American countries. Our staff will take all the necessary and foreseeable precautions to ensure the safety of the delegation.   However, anyone considering attending a Quixote Center delegation to Honduras at this time should note that the situation on the ground changes daily and while the delegation's safety is of utmost importance, the work of witness and accompaniment is often unpredictable and unforeseen events occur frequently. To date, we have not had any delegates experience any direct harm beyond exposure to tear gas. However, there have been moments in which a delegate's ability to be patient, flexible and resilient (especially with respect to mealtimes and access to restrooms) has been an essential aspect of participation.   It is for this reason that we encourage anyone considering a delegation to undergo a heartfelt and honest self-reflexion process. Some of the points of self reflection could include:

• How is my physical health? Am I able to walk quickly or run if necessary? Do I have physical limitations or needs which might limit my ability to respond with flexibility to a given situation? What if I do not have agency in over when I am to eat, sit, or use the restroom?
• How do I respond to stress? How do I respond to those around me facing danger or violence?
• What are my motivations for going? Do I understand both the potential and limitations of my role in the Honduran context? Am I going with the expectation of actively intervening to stop violence? Am I willing to follow the direction of the Quixote Center delegation leaders and/or Hondurans in a given situation, even if it goes against my desire for a particular action in a given moment?

  Please see our full Tool for Self-Assessment, available on our website.   If upon completing a self-assessment, you feel that your skills, gifts and contributions might better be used in other ways, please see our webpage for the many ways that you can support the Honduras Accompaniment Project.  

4. As internationals, aren't we supposed to be neutral? Shouldn't we be meeting with people on “both sides” of the conflict?

The Honduras Accompaniment Project emerged as a direct request from the Honduran People's Resistance Front to provide presence and accompaniment in the context of the very difficult political, social and economic reality in Honduras right now, including ongoing violation of human, civil and constitutional rights. Currently the focus of the delegation work is to be present to the on-the-ground reality that the ordinary people in Honduras are facing because of the coup and resulting restrictions and repression of their lives. We will take our cues from our Honduran partners on the ground who are actively involved in seeking nonviolent solutions to their conflict.   Our work is not to pretend or seek to be “neutral.” We are not neutral; we are on the side of human rights, the rule of law, and the right to self-determination.   This will not be your typical fact-finding delegation in which the purpose of the visit is to get a comprehensive picture of a country's complex political and social history. Access and exposure to such information will be ample given the long history of oppression and exploitation that the Honduran people have faced due to the economic interests, both foreign and domestic, that have ruled the country since colonial times—and the significant extent to which that colonial history of exploitation is an essential factor in the current power struggle. However, our purpose in going to Honduras in this context is not to meet with a diverse set of business, political and social groups or representatives to hear “all sides” of the story. In this context, our delegations take a preferential option for the victims of human rights abuses.   As is the case with many of today's struggles for justice and self-determination, the entrenched elite in Honduras have at their disposal a variety of tools that the grassroots movement does not, principal among them is the unfettered control of national media and international messaging. Therefore, if you wish to hear the perspective of the coup leaders, you need look no further than the Washington Post or the vast majority of Honduran media outlets.  

5. How can I be reached during the delegation?

Quixote Center staff will have several cell phones which can receive international calls in the case of urgent communication needs. We ask that these numbers be used as emergency contacts only. Additionally, the delegation cell phones may be loaned out during off hours (early morning and late at night) for non-emergency communication needs. As delegates, you will have access to the internet for other communication needs.

6. Will I have internet access? Should I bring my laptop?

Your guesthouse has one internet-enabled desktop computer which is available for your use. Furthermore, there is wireless available. If you plan on blogging or otherwise trying to post daily or regular updates from your time in the country—which we encourage as part of the work of witness delegations—then it is a good idea to bring a laptop if you can. However, it is up to your discretion to determine whether or not to bring your laptop. Quixote Center can not be responsible to loss or damage to your computer if you choose to bring it along.

7. What if I don't speak Spanish?

In general, every effort will be made to interpret all essential information into English. The Quixote Center delegation staff are skilled interpreters and will ensure interpretation (spoken translation) of all formal talks when possible. However, there may be informal settings in which consecutive interpretation is not possible. Also know that listening to interpretation can be tiresome and tedious. If you do not speak Spanish, we ask that you come prepared to be especially patient with respect to language issues.

8. What does my $700 participation fee cover?

Your participation fee covers ground transportation, lodging and three meals a day, translation/interpretation services, and all program and coordination services, as well as covering some administration/staff costs. The Quixote Center will also make contributions to non-governmental partner organizations who are working in Honduras for justice and nonviolent social transformation. Please remember that the Quixote Center has been among the few organizations to respond quickly, consistently and effectively to the Honduran people's requests for accompaniment since the very early days of the coup. Such responsiveness implies the commitment of resources, and the Quixote Center is committed to continue to garner the resources necessary to respond in an ongoing way to the Honduran people's invitation. Your participation in a delegation therefore is an investment in the work of the Quixote Center in Honduras and will continue to bear fruit beyond the duration of your stay. If you have further questions that are not addressed here, please see the Delegation Preparation Manual. After reviewing all the documents available on our website, if you have further questions, please contact Jenny Atlee at the Quixote Center [jennya (at) quixote.org].

Delegation Objectives, Rationalle, Expectations, and Cost

 
Please Join a Solidarity and Accompaniment Delegation to Honduras with the Honduras Accompaniment Project of the Quixote Center in conjunction with the Hemispheric Social Alliance
 
Since a military coup removed President Zelaya on June 28th, the situation in Honduras has become increasingly tense. Honduran human rights and civil society groups continue to report serious violations of civil and human rights against activists, journalists and other social leaders expressing opposition to the coup.
 
The Quixote Center and the Hemispheric Social Alliance have promised ongoing international presence in Honduras for the duration of the crisis, and have been organizing observation delegations on an ongoing basis since the middle of July. Shortly we hope to have a permanent team on the ground to coordinate these delegations.
 
If you are interested in coming to Honduras, please carefully review the following information, as well as the  and the Delegation Preparation Manual to determine if a Quixote Center/Hemispheric Social Alliance delegation is right for you.
 
The situation on the ground changes quickly. Every day we confirm our activities with our Honduran partners who will indicate where and how we might be most useful on a given day. This means that our schedule is unpredictable, and that there will be uncertainty and waiting at any given point. We ask that participants come prepared to be patient and flexible.
 
Delegation Objectives:

• To help safeguard against human rights violations by providing an international presence and witness to events on the ground;
• To learn about the social, economic and political realities in Honduras through listening to various sectors of civil society, including first-hand accounts of those who have been victims of the post-coup violence;
• To expose the situation on the ground in Honduras to international media;
• To advocate, both in Honduras and upon return to our home countries, for the restoration of constitutional order and the protection of human and civil rights.

 
Probable Activities:

• Visiting the non-governmental human rights office
• Accompanying lawyers and human rights promoters to detention facilities and hospitals to verify the whereabouts and condition of detainees
• Meeting with the US Human Rights Officer and/or Ambassador
• Being present at some demonstrations as observers (not participants)
• Following up with the work of previous delegations (in communication with Honduran partners, officials and organizations)
• Visiting regions in the aftermath of repression to take personal testimonies
• Holding occasional press conferences, in coordination with Honduran partners
• Writing and sending daily reports to our home countries / constituents

 
Delegation Participants Should:

• Have experience in “developing” nations or conflict zones
• Have the ability to manage stress in a fluid situation
• Be patient and flexible
• Be aware of and willing to work with intercultural dynamics
• Be respectful of and willing to follow the lead of our Honduran partners
• Be willing to work with the group on fulfilling the delegation objectives
• The ability to speak Spanish is a definite asset. Those who do not speak Spanish are welcome and should know that we make every effort to provide translation (and will translate formal meetings or interviews), but that it’s difficult to communicate every conversation or nuance in such a fluid situation.

 
Please use our Potential Delegation Self-Assessment tool to help you determine if attending a Quixote Center Delegation is the right choice for you right now.
 
Daily-Life Expectations:

• Days can be unexpectedly long. We’ll try to maintain a regular meal schedule, but be prepared to be flexible, and know your needs. Bring water and snacks, which you can buy at a grocery store here.
• We will often travel together in a large van with a hired driver, but sometimes may have to hop in a few taxis to get where we’re going.
• We may eat out for dinner or have dinner at the guesthouse. We’ll try to do what’s quick and affordable. Vegetarians welcome.
• We’ll try our best to have a regular daily schedule – but again, the situation is highly fluid.

 
Cost: Cost of a one-week delegation is $700 for in-country expenses (food, lodging, transportation, coordination, translation, etc.), to be transferred in cash to delegation organizers immediately upon arrival. Part of the delegation cost will be used to support the coordinating team on the ground. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to/from Tegucigalpa. One-week delegations generally run from Saturday to Saturday.
 
Further information about how to prepare for a delegation and what to expect can be found in the Delegation Preparation Manual. Please review all the delegation materials thorough when considering a Quixote Center delegation.

Please see the delegations page for upcoming delegation dates.
For more information, contact JennyAtlee at: jennya (at) quixote.org.
 

Sample Delegation Schedule: Archived from the 4th International Solidarity, Accompaniment and Observation Delegation in Honduras 2-9 August, 2009

Sunday, August 2
Day Arrival of people
4:00pm Meeting with the past delegation and the Anti-coup Front (El Frente)
8:00pm Dinner with the new delegation members to get to know each other and for an overview of the week

Monday August 3
8:00am Meeting with the Anti-Coup Front in the STIBYS union hall
10:30am Observe the protest and press conference of the Teachers Resistance movement, which included the wakes of the two teachers killed for their participation in the Resistance
3:00pm Meeting with the head of COFADEH (Honduran Committee of the Families of the Detained and Disappeared)

Tuesday August 4
5:00am Leave for San Pedro Sula to take the testimonies of the people who were repressed in August 3^rd protest; members of the Frente and COFADEH came along
10:00am Meeting with survivors of the Monday’s police repression; testimonies and photos were taken
3:00pm Late lunch
5:00pm Return to Tegucigalpa

Wednesday August 5
9:00am Meeting with the delegation to write the report and prepare for the meeting with the Embassy
11:00am Meeting with the Human Rights officer of the US Embassy
12:30pm Go to the National University, where the elite police squad Cobra had been dispatched to repress a group of students who were protesting inside the university, whose Rector was also verbally and physically assaulted in the process
5:00pm Meet in the COFADEH office for updates on the national situation, especially with respect to the various marches which had set out for San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa

Thursday August 6
7:00am One part of the delegation heads to Juticalpa, along with the lawyer of a detained man, to visit the man who has been detained for weeks on old bogus charges that should have been dismissed. He was detained after denouncing the murder of his son by a sniper at the July 5 protest in which the people were awaiting Zelaya’s return at the airport.
10:00am The other part of the delegation goes to the COFADEH office to work on the letter which would be given to the Honduran Attorney General, asking him for information about whether and how he was doing his job of defending the human rights of the people.
7:00pm Dinner together and sharing of the day’s events. Preparation for the meeting with the US Ambassador, which had been secured for the following day.

Friday August 7
8:00am More preparation for the Embassy meeting, and finalization of the letter for the Attorney General in both English and Spanish, for immediate dissemination nationally and internationally
11:00am Meeting with US Ambassador Hugo Llorens in the US Embassy.
12:30pm Lunch with a Latin American Labor Union delegation.
4:00pm Meeting with the Lawyers Anti-Coup Front, to hear about the situation of human rights in the country and also for more general analysis of the overall situation

Saturday August 8
9:00am Meeting to draft the statement for the Cultural Protest in Tegucigalpa’s Central Park
11:00am Attend the Cultural Protest and read the statement, which includes a commitment to maintain an international presence throughout the people’s struggle
3:00pm A part of the group meets up with the march in Sabana Grande and talks with the people
7:00pm Final dinner, evaluation, and reflection.

Sunday, August 9
Day Delegates leave on various flights

 

This is the real schedule from the 4^th Quixote Center delegation.
We offer it to you as a sample of typical activities.

Please note that NONE of the activities were set up in advance; rather all emerged the evening before or day of, in response to events on the ground and requests from Honduran partners.

We do not offer this by way of suggesting that the content of future delegations will be similarly robust or fluid. Everything depends on what is happening at the time the delegation is in the country.

 

Self-Assessment for Potential Delegates

Thank you for considering an upcoming Solidarity and Accompaniment delegation with the Honduras Accompaniment Project of the Quixote Center. The presence of internationals in the current context of the oppressive dictatorship in Honduras is essential right now.

 

However, a witness delegation is a serious undertaking and everyone considering participation in one should take the decision seriously. The Quixote Center invites you to utilize the following self-assessment as a tool in helping you discern if a delegation in this context is the most appropriate way for you to support the people of Honduras.

 

If you discern that attending a delegation right now is not the best choice for you or the Quixote Center, there are numerous other ways to support the movement. Please see our website for information.

 

Physical Considerations

• How is my physical health? Am I able to walk quickly or run if necessary?

• Do I have physical limitations or needs which might limit my ability to respond with flexibility to a given situation?

• What if I do not have agency over when I am to eat, rest, or use the restroom?

• Might my presence limit the delegation's ability to play its role effectively?

 

Emotional/Psychological Considerations

• How do I respond to stress?

• How do I respond to those around me facing danger or violence?

• Am I willing to be vulnerable and engage in reflection processes during the delegation, to process my own experiences and support others in processing theirs?

• Do I have support systems in place to help me before, during, and after the experience?

• Do I have practices which ground me in the face of danger, struggle, violence?

 

Political Considerations

• What are my motivations for going?

• Do I understand both the potential and limitations of my role in the Honduran context?

• Am I going with the expectation of actively intervening to stop violence?

• Do I understand that it is not my place to be a protagonist in Honduran politics—for example, that I will be observing/accompanying marches and not participating in them?

• Am I willing to follow the direction of the Quixote Center delegation leaders and/or Hondurans in a given situation, even if it goes against my desire for a particular action in a given moment?

• Have I reflected on what might come up for me as a US American in the context of Honduras, given the complexity of the historical and current relationships between these two countries?

 

These are a few of the questions that you might ask yourself when considering a delegation with the Quixote Center. Your honest engagement in a discernment process will ensure a decision that fosters your own participation in the movement as well as safeguards the work of the Quixote Center in the post-coup context.

We thank you so much for all your efforts so far and look forward to continuing to work together to support the Honduran people's movement.

 

Preparation Manual for Solidarity and Accompaniment Delegations in Post-Coup Honduras

A Solidarity and Accompaniment Delegation to Honduras with the Quixote Center is for people who are willing to have their lives touched and forever changed. The primary reasons for considering a Quixote Center delegation to Honduras in the context of the current political tension is to answer the call from the Honduran people for international presence. The Honduran people are waging a historic and persistent nonviolent struggle against military and economic hegemony. Our role as internationals in that context is to take our cues from them—to be present on the streets and in the detention centers to witness events as they unfold and report on them, with a special emphasis on the denunciation of human rights violations.

This is not your average solidarity fact-finding delegation. We will not send you a detailed schedule of your delegation's events in advance of your arrival. In most cases, we will not know until the night before or that very morning what the day's schedule will be. This is due to the rapidly-changing nature of the situation on the ground, and our need to be responsive to that reality and the needs and requests of the Honduran people whose struggle we are there to accompany and support.

Accompaniment work is many things, but it is not always exciting. It can include lots of waiting and moments of unclarity as decisions are made about how best to utilize human and other resources. This, therefore, is not a context in which individual interests regarding research or fact-finding can be accommodated. In most cases, the delegation will move as one single entity, for safety and logistical reasons. Thus it is essential that everyone on the delegation understand that the delegation leaders are responsible for making decisions regarding the delegation's schedule; the safety of the group and project as a whole depends on compliance on this matter.

During your time in Honduras you will have the opportunity to meet with Hondurans, hear their stories, and accompany them for a short time in their daily lives in the context of a repressive regime. As a group of North Americans, you will also have the opportunity to reflect together on the challenge this experience offers personally, politically, and spiritually. We hope that the stories you hear and the experiences that you have will lead you to continue to work towards justice and peace in Honduras and in your home community.

Preparations, Logistics, and Necessary Information

In order to be well prepared for your delegation, read the first part of this manual very carefully. If you still have questions, please contact the Quixote Center.

Travel Documents

The following information applies to US Citizens. For other nationalities, please verify information with a Honduran Consulate. A valid passport is required. Any costs incurred in obtaining documents and paying the airport departure tax are not included in your participant’s fee. Customs forms will be given to you by the airline with whom you are traveling.

√ Entering Honduras - as you pass through immigration at the airport, the agent will ask for your passport, the purpose of your visit (tourism) and the address of where you will be staying. Most delegations will be staying at the CADETUR Guesthouse, Colonia La Joya, Tegucigalpa.

√ Leaving Honduras- a departure tax of $34.07 is required when leaving the country. Plan to pay in cash, exact change in USD is advisable.

Health Recommendations

Many people have concerns about their health while traveling in developing countries. The following are recommendations for staying healthy while in Honduras from a physician and the Center for Disease Control. Please contact your local travel clinic or consult the Center for Disease Control’s website for further information. The Quixote Center will do everything possible to help you avoid illness and fully enjoy your stay.

Hepatitis, Yellow Fever: You will need a Harvix (Hepatitis A) injection to prevent infectious Hepatitis. This injection should be given at least two weeks prior to arrival in Honduras. Gamma globulin (2 cc’s) is an alternative, but may be unavailable. The Hepatitis B vaccine and the Yellow Fever vaccine are not necessary.

Other Immunizations: Remember that travel to a developing nation is a good time to update your other immunizations such as tetanus and measles.

Dengue Fever: There is no vaccine for Dengue Fever. The best protection against Dengue is to use insect repellent while you are here as it is transmitted through mosquito bites. Using a travel fan or mosquito net while you sleep will also help reduce your risk of being bitten and help you sleep more comfortably.

Traveler’s Diarrhea: The best way to avoid diarrhea is to watch what you eat. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables which are not peeled. Anything that is well cooked and hot is usually okay. Follow the instructions of your delegation leader. Peptobismol tablets are also helpful in case of diarrhea and for general stomach upset, but may not cure diarrhea and should not be taken for more than a 48 hour period. Your physician may recommend carrying Cipro with you, but Cipro can be purchased over the counter and at a lower cost in Honduras. The Quixote Center recommends that you do not self-medicate, but ask to see a doctor in order to identify what is making you sick (for example ameobas, parasites, food poisoning, etc.), and to treat it with the proper medication. Treatment for diarrhea can range from $20 to $50 depending on how much the doctor charges and the medication s/he prescribes.

Other Health Recommendations: Avoid dehydration by minimizing consumption of soft drinks and alcohol and by drinking plenty of water. Purified water will always be made available. Be sure to get plenty of rest, avoid over heating, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

At the Airport in Honduras

Immigration and customs at the Honduran airport are fairly efficient and straight forward. You will pass though immigration before claiming your baggage. Once you have your bags, you will proceed through customs. A green light lets you pass. A red light means that your bags will be inspected. Quixote Center staff will meet you outside the customs area.

Delayed Luggage

Luggage delays are possible with all of the airlines that service Honduras. Therefore, you must be prepared for the possibility that not all of your luggage will arrive when you do. Please bring your essentials in a carry-on bag: a change of clothes, medicines, contacts/glasses, cameras etc.

If your luggage is delayed, go to your airline’s office located in the baggage claim area and explain the situation. Agents will help you fill out the appropriate paper work. Most airlines will not offer to deliver your lost luggage to you. Please do everything possible to try to convince them that you cannot come back to the airport and that they must deliver it. Tell them that you will sign whatever forms necessary for customs purposes and that they should have the luggage delivered to the following address: CADETUR, Colonia La Joya (por La Kennedy), Calle Principal, A la par de las Iguanas. Telephone: 230-4340.

If all else fails, tell the airlines that you have to speak with the person coordinating your trip and come out to the arrival waiting area of the airport to look for the Quixote Center staff person there to receive you. If your airline refuses to deliver luggage, the Quixote Center will make sure that you get back to the airport to retrieve your bags when they arrive or make arrangements to pick them up if you do not need to be present.

 

Accommodations

We generally stay at simple guesthouses. Sometimes this means that rooms will be shared by 2-3 people, but in most cases large rooms house more people. The guesthouses use fans instead of air-conditioning, and water for showers may be room temperature or warm, not hot.

Meals

Meals will be simple. Breakfast and dinner are usually served at your guesthouse. Lunches are often taken “on the road” at reliable and economical restaurants (your meals are prepaid as a part of your delegation fee). Please let us know ahead of time if you are a vegetarian or have special dietary needs or serious food allergies.

Things to know about food:

Honduran food is not typically spicy, but it is an adjustment for some people. You will probably eat more beans than you are used to. Other typical foods include meat, eggs, rice, avocado, cheese, vegetables, plantain, and of course corn tortillas. Don’t expect low-fat or whole grains: they’re not part of the average meal plan.

If you have food allergies or special needs, or are having trouble adjusting to the food, let the delegation leader know and s/he will work with the guesthouse staff to make adjustments.

Local Currency

The Honduran currency is the Lempira, valued at about 19L to 1USD. Since all of your housing, meals, and transportation are covered by your participation fee, you will only need money for your exit tax, souvenirs, snacks, alcohol at meals, and tips to drivers, guesthouse staff, etc. You will probably not need more than $100, unless you plan on buying a lot of souvenirs. US Dollars are accepted in some places, but it is a good idea to expect to change about $50 into Lempiras. Quixote staff can arrange this. You should bring small bills: ones, fives, and tens and definitely nothing larger than a $20 bill, as it may be difficult and sometimes impossible to get change.

Tips on Tips

The Quixote Center encourages tipping the guesthouse staff and the driver. We recommend that tips be given on behalf of the group, not from individuals within the group. The amount of the tip is of course at the discretion of the group, but a good guideline is $5 per person you are tipping per day they have worked with the delegation. Guesthouse management asks guests not to leave tips, gifts, or articles of clothing to individual employees, but to the guesthouse management, which will then be distributed equally among the employees. When you eat out with the Quixote Center, the delegation leader will handle the tipping. But generally a 10% tip is appropriate at a restaurant and may be included in the bill.

Weather, Clothes, and Luggage

The weather will be warm to hot. The rainy season generally runs from late May to early October. December and January are usually cooler in the evenings. It is best to bring lightweight casual clothing with one or two nicer outfits for more possible formal meetings. Hondurans make a significant effort to present themselves well and appreciate it when visitors do the same.

Clothing to avoid:

• Clothes that would attract unwanted attention such as revealing dresses, tank tops, and transparent or short skirts

• In public, shirts with political messages, including messages communicating solidarity with the Honduran Resistance

• Shorts, unless they are for wearing them around the guesthouse

• Flip-flops (They are considered very informal and are not appropriate for visiting offices and formal meetings)–if you wish to wear sandals, please ensure that they provide at least more coverage than the average flip-flop

• Torn or frayed clothing—they are inappropriate for meetings

THINGS TO BRING

• Casual, but neat shirts, lightweight pants, or skirts
• Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes
• Extra pair of shoes in the rainy season (May to October)
• Swimming suit (at CADETUR there is a pool)
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat
• Reusable water bottle (20 oz or more)
• Notebook/journal and pen
• Extra camera battery
• Travel alarm clock
• Small flashlight and extra batteries
• An extra pair of prescription glasses
• Pepto-bismol tablets and allergy medicine if you use it
• Band-aids and disinfectant
• Tissue packets (useful when toilet paper is unavailable) 
• Photocopy of your passport

VERY IMPORTANT: Airlines continue to have serious problems delivering luggage with the passenger. PLEASE: pack all medications and necessary items plus a change of clothes in a carry-on bag in case your luggage is delayed.

Itinerary

As discussed previously, this is not a typical delegation in which you will have a lot of input or preparation in advance regarding your itinerary. We ask that you be flexible and understand that we will make decisions about our itinerary in light of our mandate as internationals responding to the request for accompaniment in the context of a repressive regime.

Expectations

We can’t tell you beforehand about all of the experiences you are likely to have and the things you'll discover in Honduras. We do, however, want to prepare you for some of the discomforts that you should expect. Remember that many participants have experienced the same things before you and each person finds her/his way of coping with and adapting to these discomforts. Talking through your anxiety regarding any of these things with your group or support systems is one of the best ways to prevent minor discomforts from detracting from the overall experience.

• Most public restrooms will not have toilet paper. Carry travel tissue packs or toilet paper with you.

• Put your used toilet paper and any trash in the wastebasket next to the toilet. Do not flush any paper product into the toilet or it will clog.

• Rest rooms in general will not be as “comfortable” as those in the US.

• Most showers have only room temperature water, sometimes warm.

• Water and electricity go out at random hours in the city.

• Scheduled appointments may fall through.

• Not everything will start on time.

• Listening to interpretation/translation is tiring.

• There will not be air conditioning, and many areas are dusty in the dry season and very muddy in the rainy season. Bring glasses if you use contacts and the dust bothers your eyes.

• There are bugs of all kinds ( . . . many are beautiful!)

• Nights are noisy and buildings are not designed to shut out noise (i.e. dog barking, rooster

• crowing, music, fire crackers, loud vehicles). Bring ear plugs if these might bother you!

• Lots of hurry-up and wait.

• Little time and space for individual needs and privacy.

Guidelines for Safety and Security

In order to accompany the people of Honduras, we must be aware of the many levels at which violence and repression affect their daily lives, especially the lives of the poor. However, we do not intend for the delegation experience to put our participants at risk.

1. We ask that you follow these guidelines for safety and security.
   
2. Stay with your group and be aware of where you are going and the people around you.Leave passports, plane tickets, and extra cash at the guest house unless the delegation leader informs you otherwise.
   
3. You need to carry a copy of your passport with you at all times.
   
4. Do not wear conspicuous jewelry or watches, and do not wear cameras in plain sight. In the unlikely event of a robbery attempt, immediately hand over what is being asked of you.
   
5. Stay calm and allow the delegation leader to speak to the situation if possible.
6. Be aware that Honduras is a very politicized country. Avoid speaking in public places or with strangers about political views or groups with whom we have met.

Being Stopped/Questioned by the Authorities

Due to lack of respect for civil liberties, there is still reason to exercise caution if you or the delegation is stopped by the police or authorities.

• In the event that your group is stopped and questioned by the police, let the delegation leader handle the situation.

• Do not volunteer information about where you are staying, etc. Wait for instructions from your delegation leader.

Quixote Center Resources in Honduras

Our staff in Honduras are US Americans who work with the Honduras Accompaniment Project of the Quixote Center. They will accompany the group and interpret/translate during the meetings. They will also provide an orientation to the local reality, a general briefing at the beginning of each day and before each visit, and valuable background and historical information when it is needed.

We highly suggest you visit our website, www.quixote.org, for valuable information, key articles, and links to other sites at which you can deepen your awareness about the political, economic, social and environmental reality in Honduras. The more grounded you are in the current and historical reality, the more you will get out of your experience and thus, the more you'll be able to take with you back to your communities of origin by way of education, insight, and reflections.

Group Communication and Process

Group cohesion is important for a healthy group process. A group which functions well together will deal effectively with the normal emotional, logistical, and physical ups-and-downs. Solidarity within the group is also necessary for dealing with any unexpected difficulties which may arise. Our recommendations for healthy group process are:

Upon arrival in Honduras, Quixote staff will make sure that everyone has a chance to get to know others in the group if you don’t already know each other.

Please bring to the attention of the Quixote staff any difficulties or needs which arise.

As much as possible, each day will involve reflection time. This will be a space to reflect individually and collectively both on the day’s events and on group process if needed.

Respecting the opinions, experiences, and feelings of other group members is the first step toward building solidarity.

Remember that the other delegation participants can be a source of support and a base for organizing when you get back to the US!

When You Leave

Due to security measures, it is normally not possible for Quixote staff to accompany you to the check-in counter at the airport, but the delegation leader will accompany you to the airport and wait for you at the security checkpoint at the terminal entrance if you wish. To leave Honduras, you will need $34.07 (exit tax), your ticket and your passport.

Don't forget that the end of your delegation is just one step in the process. You now return to your country of origin full of stories, images, and insights to share with your families, communities, and especially with the power-holders—those who have it within their means to dramatically affect the reality of life for Hondurans right now. Please know that your words do matter—use your voice and call for change!

¡BUEN VIAJE!