Main JanTerm Memo

Rain Forests and Patagonia

George M. Diggs, Jr.
Department of Biology and Center for Environmental Studies
Austin College, Sherman, Texas
& Research Associate, Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), Fort Worth

Austin College Phone: (903) 813-2246, Home Phone (903) 868-1642
Office: 317 Moody Science
Mailing Address: Department of Biology, Austin College, Sherman, TX 75090
AC Suite 61564
e-mail: gdiggs@austinc.edu
Home page: http://artemis.austinc.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/diggs.html
Office Hours: 1:30-2:30 M, Tu; Other times by appointment.

Main Course Information Memo
This material will be updated throughout the semester

It is now less than four months before we leave for South America. I hope you are as excited as I am. It's going to be a busy and exciting course and we will be seeing and learning about an astonishing variety of different things ranging from tropical rain forests, native cultures and Incan ruins, to glaciers and the Andes of Patagonia.

1. Payments - Do not forget to pay your fee if you have not already done so. The first payment (1/2 of total amount) is due Oct. 6th and the final payment is due 6 November. These deadlines are important because deposits to hotels, lodges, airlines, etc., have to be paid well in advance of the trip.

2. Passports - As you know, you will need a passport for the trip. Applications can be gotten at the US Post Office here in Sherman. Please start the process ASAP. You can have a passport photo taken free of charge at the Travel Directory (our travel agent) located at 427 North Rusk Street here in Sherman (phone 892-0659). It is very close to where Washington crosses Hwy. 75. If you will be traveling on a non-U.S. passport, please let me know.

3. Medical Preparation - The following provides some basic ideas regarding medical preparation for our trip; this information was provided by the Grayson County Health Department. Please consult your own physician for specific recommendations.

A tetanus vaccination is important for any outdoor activity where you could be cut or injured. Immunization against typhoid fever (taken orally) is important for international travel. In addition, the Health Dept. is recommending vaccinations for yellow fever, diptheria, polio (a booster) and the new vaccination against Hepatitis A. Finally, the Health Dept. recommends Larium (Mefloquine) as a malarial preventative. These are only recommendations; each person in the course needs to make their own decision in consultation with their physician. All vaccinations can be obtained at the Health Department on Monday or Thursday from 8:30-11:30 am and 1:00 -6:30. You should plan to begin your immunizations soon because some cannot be taken at the same time and some require more than one shot. You will need to get a perscription for the malaria preventative from a physician (either your personal physician or one at Adams Health Center).

If you are concerned about intestinal problems, you might consider getting a prescription for some antibiotic to take in case you develop problems. If you are allergic to insect bites or stings YOU SHOULD CARRY appropriate medication with you.

4. Release Forms - Two release forms (Austin College, Travel Directory) must be turned in prior to your departure at the end of this semester. You will also need to fill out an Austin College Field Biology Safety Safety Contract.. These will be distributed in the near future

5. Medical Authorization - All of us need to sign a medical authorization form. These will be given out in the near future with the release forms.

6. Hospitalization Insurance - Every AC student is expected to carry hospitalization insurance. Please give me the name of your insurance company and your policy number (I need this in case of emergencies). YOU should ascertain whether your policy is valid in a foreign country.

7. Contact Information - Prior to the end of the semester I will need to have your address and telephone number for the X-mas break; I'll also need your parent's telephone # and address for January.

8. Safety Concerns - You will probably be safer where we will be than in most large U.S. cities. However, we will be in virgin tropical forests and other natural habitats as well as third world cities. There are several dangers – the worst of which is probably bees and other insects (we hardly ever see snakes and while you can be robbed in Latin America, being injured by criminals is very rare). If you are allergic to insect stings you should carry anti-histamines and a syringe to give yourself an injection of adrenaline (an automatic syringe can be purchased at drug stores with a prescription). I have taken Austin College students to the tropics more than ten times without any serious problems, but in natural areas and foreign countries with different customs, you need to stay alert.

9. Health Considerations - At our next meeting we will discuss in detail some of the ways in which you can minimize the chance of contracting intestinal problems or other illnesses. In particular you should plan on avoiding any unpurified water (including ice) and any uncooked fruits or vegetables that you cannot peel. It is also particularly important that you avoid any uncooked seafood.

10. Texts - Lost City of the Incas by Hiram Bingham and Lessons of the Rainforest by Head and Heinzman

1. If at anytime anyone is involved in any illegal activity, most specifically drug use, that person will IMMEDIATELY be sent home forfeiting the remainder of the trip and receiving a U in the course. Drugs are widely available in Latin America and the possession of drugs by one member of our class would endanger the whole group. Americans abroad are frequently offered drugs, so I hope I am clear on this-ANY drug use will mean you go home at once.

2. No one is to be alone (without another member of our class) at any time. This is not an insignificant rule. There are many places in the U.S. where it is dangerous to be alone. While South America is safer than many parts of the U.S., there is the additional problem of the language barrier. For this reason, I expect you to be with another class member at all times.

1. Keep a journal of the trip. Bring a notebook, etc. to keep a personal journal during the trip.

You will be getting readings throughout the remainder of the semester. I think you will find them interesting and a good preparation for what you are going to see and learn about. I suggest you get a folder to keep all your JanTerm materials in for ready access.

You will be given a "test" during the first day (on the plane) of the class on the readings. If you do not pass the test you must write a ten page paper on a topic pertinent to the course. Since the sole purpose of the test is to see if you have done the readings, it is advisable to do them prior to our departure.

1. While many meals are included in the overall trip cost, a few are not. The additional meals should be very reasonable.

3. Tips for cooks, guides and porters (I estimate that $300 should adequately cover the above three items)

How much extra money to take? With the exception of the items mentioned above, all trip expenses are covered. Therefore I would estimate that a few hundred dollars in extra money would be ample, depending largely on how much you expect to buy in terms of handicraft items or souvenirs. Any money (except small amounts) you carry should be in the form of American Express Traveler's checks. DO NOT carry other brands of traveler's checks!! You might consider carrying several hundred dollars in extra traveler's checks (that you have no intention of spending) in case of an emergency.

14. Photography, Film, etc. You may want to discuss what type of film, camera equipment, etc., to carry with either Andy Crosthwaite (office phone 893-4675; home 893-5903) or me.

15. DEPARTURE: We leave D/FW on the evening of Wednesday, 3 January, on American Flt.#947 at 4:35 pm. NOTE: This time has changed.

Please be at the airport 2 hours before flight time. We will check our luggage as a group.
I will have your tickets at the airport.

16. RETURN to the U.S.: We will return to D/FW the morning of Wednesday, 31 January on American Flt.#946 at 8:00 a.m. NOTE: This time has changed.

17. If you need outdoor equipment, a company named Campmor is worth looking into. They have good quality camping equipment at reasonable prices. Web address: Phone number 1-888-CAMPMOR (1-888-226-7667). There are also a number of outdoor stores in the Dallas area (for example: Backwoods, Recreational Equipment-REI).

Do not carry excess clothing, valuables, jewelry, etc. We will face weight and space limitations and will either have to pay extra or discard excessive items. Also, since you will probably want to bring back some items purchased in South America, leave yourself some extra room. We will be carrying, loading and unloading our bags frequently. If you bring a lot of excess stuff your arms will probably be several inches longer upon your return.

For the flight to South America you will want to wear or have in your carry-on bag all essential items. For example, wear your best hiking socks and boots, your hiking pants and shirt, your sun hat, and your windbreaker. Pack in your carry-on your water bottle, camera, film, extra batteries, binoculars, water purification material, medicines, personal hygiene items, compass, xerox of passport, and other critical items. Your passport, yellowcard, traveler's checks, credit cards, driver's license, etc., should be in an around-the neck pouch and should NEVER be off your person. Do NOT carry a wallet with unneeded credit cards, etc.

NOTE WELL: To summarize the previous paragraph: Pack your carry-on bag so that if you lose your checked bag, you will not have lost essential items.

20. EMERGENCY INFORMATION In the event of an EMERGENCY, a message can be forwarded to us through the TRAVEL DIRECTORY (a travel agency in Sherman, TX).