From "The Lost Foreigner" to "Lost luggage"

Poor Jeff... Delta has lost his luggage. When we got to ATL this afternoon, got processed in and went to retrieve our luggage to clear customs, it was not there! Unfortunately, they haven't found it before now (we're about to board), but we are hoping and praying that it will be there when we get to Valdosta. All his souvenirs and clothes are there... he bought some really beautiful pieces of wood carvings in El Remate yesterday afternoon, and I'm just sick that he won't have it when he gets home.

We've had a bit of a tough time trying to get through all the security checkpoints and clearing customs twice each way. They are really interested in the amount of equipment we are carrying, and Jeff actually had to pay a computer tax in Cancun, because he was carrying two laptops. My portable printer has been another source of interest as well.

Right now, we are sitting in ATL waiting on the last leg of our flight to VLD. Cameron got home (he left us earlier in ATL, since he lives here and will be home for Thanksgiving.) It's been a long day... a long week... but very rewarding, to say the least.

Peten was absolutely incredible yesterday. It truly was a chance of a lifetime to tour some of the world's most intriguing ruins at Tikal Park. Here's a photo, just to give you a taste of what it was like:



We'll be continuing our work, for sure. There's lots to be done, reports to be written, and things to be shared with all. This is a great week, and we all are excited to see our family and friends. More later, I am sure.

Another Day

Another day has passed and we have accomplished much. Nikki and Cameron contacted the majority of the hotels and restaurants in and around El Remate to pass out flyers about the seminars that Nikkin and Scott are giving on Sunday afternoon. At first we thought Sunday would be the incorrect day but culturally it seems it is the best day for sessions such as these.


Scott rebuilt Hotel Gringo Perdido's website, at least the skeleton, yesterday. That was a major accomplishment that we were looking forward to beginning. Today, Cameron and I will try to flesh out the rest of it as time permits.









We had a great lunch in the village of El Remate with an excellent view of the "cocrodillo". This land formation is where Hotel Gringo Perdido is located.


After lunch we walked through part of the village to deliver more seminar flyers. El Remate is very interesting. The people are very friendly and the children are so cute. They love to have their picture taken as you can see.



Our day ended with us traveling back to Hotel Gringo Perdido around 5 p.m. The sun starts setting about 5:30 and it is definitely dark by 6:30. Along the way we stopped to watch some children playing soccer and having fun as the day ended.


The sunset is truly magnificent and will take your breath away. These two visitors to Hotel Gringo Perdido are sharing the moment.

We have arrived!!!

Our team has arrived in Guatemala...we got to Hotel Gringo Perdido last night around 4:45 PM local time. We enjoyed a tour of the hotel and land which was beautiful. We then enjoyed a great dinner, prepared hand made from the staff. It was great to view the water as we ate dinner and after we took a step out onto the deck to see all the beautiful stars. It is amazing!! You do not see the stars in Valdosta like you do in El Remate!! After a restful night for most we are currently at Project Ix-Canaan contacting our loved ones and preparing to tour Ix-Canaan and the amazing city!! We will keep you all informed as soon as possible!

The picture is one taken by Jeff as we toured the hotel land last night...BEAUTIFUL!!!

2 Days

Hello all,
Well, only 2 days left to clear up projects and finish packing for this trip. I am excited, a bit anxious and very ready to go. My teammates were fortunate in that they have been taking their malaria meds for the past several weeks. I started mine today...with predictable results. Now I know what they have been suffering thru.
Other than that, I believe things are going well. I believe we can accomplish much while we are in El Remate and build an ongoing relationship with everyone.

Five Days

Time has flown by! We have 5 days left to make sure we have everything we need for our trip to Guatemala. My mind is full of lists and check sheets. Since I will be responsible for the photography and video, I keep thinking about the equipment I need to take such as batteries, SD cards, card readers, and battery chargers for the cameras.
There is much left to do. The team met Wednesday to review our progress on our individual assignments and to make a list of new questions. I think we are making progress.
I am looking forward to putting a lens on Lake Peten Itza and the opportunity to photograph El Remate, Hotel Gringo Perdido, the Biotopo Cerro Cahui Natural Reserve and of course Tikal, home of the ancient Mayan Civilization.

The Team: Nikki Mitchell

Hey guys! Im still learning how to do everything on here but i thought it would be a good idea to give you a little information about me...

I am a senior Accounting and Finance major at Valdosta State University. I am originally from Valdosta and love the area. I have been involved in SIFE for three years now. I started out as the secretary and as the years have progresses so have my positions. My second year in the organization I was Programs Director and this year I am the President. SIFE is a great organization the gives students opportunities to reach out and help others as well as helping yourself.

I am really looking forward to out trip to Guatemala. I think it will be a very beneficial experience for the people of El Remate, in addition, to VSU SIFE and the SBDC. I know that the process has been very busy lately because our team has faced many unexpected challenges, however, I think that we have an amazing group of individuals heading up this project!

T minus 2 weeks, and counting

This project is led by Scott Manley, Assistant Director of the VSU SBDC and SIFE Business Advisory Board Member, along with Jeff Shipley, SIFE Faculty Advisor. Students participating include Cameron Hoopes, a junior marketing major, and Nikki Mitchell, a senior finance and accounting major and current VSU SIFE president.

Today, Wednesday 11/4, starts the last round of vaccinations. We've already been poked and prodded (several times!), but now must start our oral malaria and typhoid vaccinations. Our little group will depart Valdosta at 5:45 on Wednesday, November 18th. We'll fly to Atlanta, then to Cancun, and finally to Flores, Guatemala, where we will be escorted to Hotel Gringo Perdido outside the village of El Remate. We'll spend the next five days working with the Hotel Gringo Perdido and project Ix-Canaan before returning home on Tuesday, November 24th.