• You are here: Home | Useful Stuff | Kit Lists | Mexico

Mexico - Kit-Lists - Africa and Asia Venture

Mexico

SUGGESTED CLOTHING FOR YOUR WORK ATTACHMENT

WOMEN

• 2 medium weight cotton skirts (mid calf or longer, not see-through nor split!)
• 2 blouses with sleeves
• 2 T-shirts (not vest type)
• 1 jersey (heavyweight)
• 1 sweatshirt (or hoodie)
• Sensible shoes
• Sports clothing

MEN

• 2 pairs casual trousers
• 1 long sleeved shirt
• 2 T-shirts (not vest type)
• 2 short sleeved shirts
  
• 1 jersey (heavyweight)
• 1 sweatshirt (or hoodie)
• 1 tie
  
• Sensible shoes
• Sports clothing

White clothing is difficult to keep clean and is not recommended. It is advisable to take clothing that is made mainly from cloth manufactured from natural fibres. Remember that during your work attachment you must dress in the way Mexico expects, i.e. relatively formally, and not as a tourist! Mexico dresses conventionally. The hill region can be cold in the early mornings and evenings.

LEISURE WEAR

This will be largely up to you, but we suggest you consider the following:

• Medium weight anorak
• Vest tops
• Waterproof jacket (for the rains, i.e. ‘kag in bag')
• Fleece
• Jeans
• Light weight cotton trousers
• Casual shorts (not too tight or short)
• Hat
• Swimming costume and travel towel
• Sandals/flip flops
• Casual footwear including trainers
• For those travelling during May to August, additional warm clothing for cooler evenings.

SUGGESTED ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR WORK ATTACHMENT

It is recommended that you take:

Any textbooks and notes up to GCSE level you have kept on the subjects you expect to teach. Notebooks, biros, pencils and other equipment/stationery (blue tack, drawing pins, sellotape) which will help you in your teaching. Take paperback books for your own reading and 'Penguin' classics or ‘cheap' classics for the schools are also popular. Photographs of your home and school are useful talking points.

FOR GENERAL USE

• Holdall and rucksack (Holdall can be used to store clothing not immediately required)
• Small day rucksack (20 litres for weekend travel)
• Travel towel
• Sleeping bag (average weight) and 2 liners (sheet)
• Mosquito net (treated)
• Toiletries
• Sun glasses
• Penknife and sewing kit
• Inexpensive watch
• Torch
• Inexpensive camera and films
• Stick-on hooks
• Scissors, mirror
• Body belt large enough to take passport, etc.
• Universal plug (American adaptor)
• Ipods (one per pair and ideally with a mini speaker) and spare batteries
• Spanish Phrase Book and Dictionary
• ISIC card
• Visa or MasterCard Debit or Credit card.
• Documentation: photocopies of all documents, including passport (keep one copy at home and take another with you). Also know your blood group. Take the original receipts of your travellers' cheques. Don't forget your mobile nos, email and physical addresses for staying in touch with friends/family.

MEDICAL PACK

In addition to the items listed in the Homeway Sterile Medical and Healthcare Packs you should take the following:

• Diareze/Immodium
• Sun cream (high & medium factor)
• Insect repellent (see medical pack contents)
• After-sun cream
• Paracetamol
• Antiseptic spray / cream
• Rehydration sachets
• Cream for bites, stings, burns (e.g. Anthisan)
• Multivitamin pills
• Antihistamine pills

(Note: Shampoo and toiletries are widely available in Mexico. Tampax users should take a month's supply.)

CONCLUSION

We recommend you take either "A Rough Guide" or "The Lonely Planet" guidebook. They are invaluable.

A lot of the items listed are available in shops in the main towns. However, you may not have the time to shop for them in the first few days. Do not take any valuables such as jewellery. You will enjoy shopping for the wide range of inexpensive ethnic jewellery available in all markets. Clothes are cheap and are easy to buy.

Finally, most of your predecessors said that they took too much clothing etc. so try and travel light because you will have to carry it!

PLEASE NOTE THAT SECURITY REGULATIONS ARE QUITE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT CAN BE CARRIED INSIDE THE AIRCRAFT. IF IN DOUBT, CHECK ON THE AIRLINE'S WEBSITE BEFORE LEAVING HOME. YOUR BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE FOR THE FLIGHT IS 20 KGS

AND YOU ARE PERMITTED TO TAKE ONE PIECE OF HAND LUGGAGE. THE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR HAND LUGGAGE SHOULD NOT EXCEED (INCLUDING WHEELS, HANDLES, POCKETS, ETC) MAX LENGTH 45 CM, WIDTH OF 35 CM AND DEPTH OF 16 CM (I.E. 17.7" X 13.7" X 6.2")