The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Lambda State International Projects Committee State to State Visit

Trip to the and Mata Ortiz, Mexico

Lambda State is pleased to announce a trip to the Copper Canyon area and center in Mexico for January 2008. While there are many trips to the Copper Canyon run by various organizations, none of them includes the unique Mata Ortiz and the area, where one man has recreated the ancient method of making pottery that was lost in that area for 400 years. Juan Quezada taught members of his family and friends this art and now Mata Ortiz boasts about 500 potters in its midst—some of them the finest in Mexico. A visit to Mata Ortiz combined with the splendor and beauty of Mexico’s Grand Canyon and world-famous steam train should make for an exciting trip.

The price for the trip is based on a group of 20. Price will increase if fewer than 20 people sign up. Friends and family are welcome. The cost per person for the Mexico portion of the trip will be approximately **$1,345 (double occupancy), and **$1,661 (single occupancy) +any increase due to gasoline tax. The price includes lodging for 6 nights, 18 meals, all transfers including the train tickets and transportation to and from all excursions and El Paso, a bilingual guide who will accompany us on the entire trip, the taxes on the lodging, tips to maids, bell boys and waiters.

Price does NOT include airfare to and from El Paso, lodging and meals in El Paso, all drinks that accompany meals, personal services in the hotels, or room service. When you sign up, a 25% deposit in US dollars will be required: $335 (double occupancy) or $415 (single occupancy). Make check payable to: La Casa del Viaje, S.A. de C.V. Deadline for deposit is November 1. An early payment would be appreciated so that we can go forward with securing rooms, tours, etc.

Send check to: Ursula Sihocky 464 Springwood Drive **We have negotiated a better price since the earlier Roselle, IL 60172-1077 information went out. Phone: 630-980-1462 E-mail: [email protected]

Itinerary

The trip begins in El Paso, Texas, on Monday, January 21. You make your own arrangements to get to and from El Paso. A suitable hotel will be our starting point and the tour bus will pick us up at the hotel. Specific hotel information will be given at a later date.

Day 1 (January 22-Tuesday) El Paso, TX/, MEX At approximately 8 am, we will leave for Mexico. Cross the border and go through immigration and customs. Arrival in Chihuahua with lunch in the hotel. City tour in the afternoon. Dinner in a restaurant and night in the Hotel Quality Inn San Francisco, or similar.

Day 2 (January 23-Wednesday) Chihuahua/Divisadero Transfer to the railroad station at about 5:30 am to board the train to Creel. Breakfast on the train. Transfer to the hotel, registration and lunch in Hotel Divisadero, with a view of the canyon. In the afternoon the guide will take us to the famous where we can admire the canyon from the lookouts. Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 3 (January 24-Thursday) Divisadro/Creel Breakfast. Morning free for more guided walks around the canyon or simply to enjoy the area and buy handicrafts from the Tarahumara Indians around the hotel. After lunch we will be transferred to the train station to leave for Creel. Upon our arrival we will go to the Best Western Hotel. The afternoon is free.

Day 4 (January 25-Friday)Creel/Casas Grandes Breakfast. Very early in the morning we will take an excursion through the Creel area visiting the Valley of the Mushrooms, Arareco Lake, The Tarahumara caves, San Ignacio Mission and a school among other things. After the tour our bus will take us to Casas Grandes. On the road we will stop for lunch in Guerrero at the beautiful Casa Carolina restaurant. We will stay in the Hacienda Hotel.

Day 5 (January 26-Saturday) Casas Grandes Today we will visit the archeological zone of Paquimé and its Museum of the Three Cultures, which during the height of its glory, was the most important archeological site in Mexico. Paquimé is famous for its adobe constructions, its T-shaped doors and its pottery. On the way back to the hotel we will visit the Juárez and Dublán Colonies, both Mormon colonies, where we will view the residential areas and our guide will speak to us about the Mormon way of life, its customs and religion and how it has developed up into the present time. We will return to the hotel in the afternoon where we can enjoy the gardens and the pool of the Hacienda Hotel.

Day 6 (January 27-Sunday) Casas Grandes (Mata Ortiz) Today we will visit the community of Mata Ortiz, famous for its population of potters who have become world famous for their work. We will have the opportunity to visit the workshop of one of the potters to see the process of decorating the pottery, as well as to buy some of the work. Our lunch, served by a local family, will be an exquisite Mexican dish and we will have the opportunity to interact with them and get to know their lifestyle first-hand. Return to the hotel.

Day 7 (January 28-Monday) Casas Grandes /El Paso, TX Breakfast. Return to El Paso. Overnight in El Paso will be at your own expense.

Day 8 (January 29-Tuesday) Return home according to your flight schedule.

------

I am interested in the trip to the Copper Canyon and Mata Ortiz planned for January 21-29, 2008. Please submit the following information.

Name ______Chapter ______

Address ______

City ______State ______Zip ______

Telephone ______

E-mail address ______

Mail this form to Ursula Sihocky ASAP.

Ursula Sihocky 630-980-1462 464 Springwood Drive [email protected] Roselle, IL 60172