Comments on: Costa Maya, Mexico: Together for Good

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:26:58 +0000

Hi Shannon, How do we contact Kevin? We’re leaving in a week, and this seems like a much better “excursion” than those offered on the ship!

By: George

George — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:20:12 +0000

I would like to find out when school ends for the summer. I have a mid May cruise and would like to bring a few items for the children.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:42:58 +0000

Customs rules are meant to regulate items that enter or leave a country, no matter what those items may be. Also, duty needs to be paid on anything brought in over a certain amount of value.

There are some people that try to bring consumer goods into foreign countries for sale, not for donations. This is a way of regulating. The purpose of our Together for Good cruise was to show how even just one small backpack of school supplies really can make a difference.
Shannon´s last blog ..Tweetup4Good Cruise Video

By: Nancy D. Brown

Nancy D. Brown — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:48:28 +0000

I’m still not understanding? Would a crate or two of school supplies have been unwanted by the school? If not, why would customs have a problem with this? It does make it difficult for the average joe to know what can and can’t be brought when the two of you went through the proper channels and were turned down.
Amazing to me.
Thanks for your goodwill efforts.
Nancy D. Brown´s last blog ..Fancy Food Show 2010, San Francisco

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:11:19 +0000

Sherry – I did eat the insects and they weren’t too bad. I wouldn’t pack them as trail mix, but the worm was a bit chewy and tasted like beef jerky.

Customs – It isn’t so much that school supplies aren’t allowed, it’s just that Nancy and I were so public about what we were doing that there was concern we would be bringing in crates of supplies. Our purpose was to show that even a small amount, such as a backpack full of pencils and crayons can go a long way towards helping a destination. It also gives a sense of goodwill to the residents who are sharing their home with tourists. The most needed items we found are notebooks. Next time I visit I will try and bring more of those.
Shannon´s last blog ..Guatemala with Gus and Together for Good

By: Sherry Ott

Sherry Ott — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:03:21 +0000

Did you taste any of those insects in your picture?! I think the lime wedges would be necessary!
Sherry Ott´s last blog ..Changing Rhythms on the Annapurna Circuit

By: Anil

Anil — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:18:52 +0000

I’m surprised too that the supplies were held back at customs.
Anil´s last blog ..The Secret Underworld Of Turkish Germany

By: Heather on her travels

Heather on her travels — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:37:30 +0000

It’s good to have a local contact on the ground who can tell visitors what would help most for this community
Heather on her travels´s last blog ..My travelling year in 2009

By: Barbara at Hole in the Donut Travels

Barbara at Hole in the Donut Travels — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:12:07 +0000

I was appalled to learn that customs would not allow the school supplies to be delivered to the school. What possible harm could that do? And then to learn that the people had to give up their land to get a house after the hurricane – just smacks of corruption. But then, I don’t have all the facts. But my heart goes out to these people.
Barbara at Hole in the Donut Travels´s last blog ..But for a Headache, Curacao’s Colorful Buildings Might Still Be Stark White

By: Mark H

Mark H — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:52:28 +0000

A great initiative to support schools in Mexico. My congratulations.