Amigos:
Just wanted to post up a few thoughts that might help you for packing this September when you come down.
1. If any of you are flying Delta, they seem to misplace luggage on every flight. Do not be the last in line, even if you are on time. The planes from Los Angeles to La Paz are tiny. Once they fill the weight requirements for the plane, they leave everything else behind. I'm not kidding! No joke. Every plane there are guys who arrive with no luggage or their rods or ice chest got left behind. I don't want you to be one of them.
2. No matter which airline you're flying...DO NOT PACK your medications, money, or paperwork in your check-in bags. Carry then on the plane with you. Please don't be the guy who loses his lugagge and tells me that your heart medication or cord for your PAP machine never showed up!!! Contrary to popular belief it's not that easy to get stuff in the pharmacies down here and I'd hate to have to put you on a plane headed back to L.A. because youre health is an issue. Also, I'm not a bank nor am I the immigration services. If I was, I'd be doing something else. If your money doesn't show up or you lose your passport, it's not fun and Pineapple Joe and Flipper and Isaac won't lend you money anyway so you won't have any beer money. Bring your money with you.
3. A few tips...make copies of all your important documents like your i.d.. birth certificate and passport and even your medical insurance card. That way if you lose the originals, you have a backup. Pack these copies somewhere else in your luggage.
4. You will thank me later. Bring small denominations. 1's, 5,'s, 10's, are so very handy. Having a handful of 1's as tips is a bonus so you won't have to break larger bills. Bring a credit card, but don't use it if you don't have to except for large purchases or emergencies. Locals love U.S. dollars (who doesn't?) so don't worry about exchanging dollars for pesos before you come down. If you are bringing alot of cash, I learned from Sheldon last year, that it's handy to vaccuum seal various amounts in envelopes. It makes them really small; very handy; lessl likely to lose; helps with accounting; and looks very ambigious to anyone who comes across it!
5. Tips...ah...the biggest question of all. Tipping is up to you. It's appreciated, but it's discretionary. Everyone likes to be in the ballpark. At Las Arenas, my captains tell me they average about $15-20 per guy ($40/day). For my La Paz captains, they tell me they get $20-25/day per guy ($50/day). But again...that's up to you, but everyone asks.
Other tips...
Restaurants - 10%
Bellman - 1 dollar
driver - dollar/bag
hotel housecleaning - 1 dollar per person/day
table dance - don't wanna know...
6. Other things not to leave home without...
camera (and film...yes, I have to remind people about film)
big hat
sunglasses
sunscreen (no Banana Boat PLEASE!)
more than one pair of shorts and t-shirt! (give your roomie a break)
zip lock bags! (Mexican zip locks are really thin)
flurocarbon leader (20, 30, 40...you don't need much so share!)
One CD 18 size Rapala in purple/black or black/white
Big smile!
See you all soon. Looking forward to the visit. E-mail me direct at
riplipboy@aol.com if you have more questions!
Thanks for all your efforst to come down and thanks to Pineapple Joe!
Jonathan
Forever!)
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