MRP News

Only 2 months to go.

Well, the departure date for this years field season is slowly but surely creeping closer and closer. For myself, this means controlled chaos as I make sure that everything vital will be taken care of while I am gone. The one thing that I really do not need to worry about is packing. I have been doing this long enough that most of what I need is already in Belize. All I really need to do is make sure that my field clothes still fit. Happily they don't, I have lost a little weight and now need to go shopping.

If you are a first time volunteer, then you probably have questions on what what you absolutely need to bring, as well as what might be usefull but not vital. I have started to write a series of posts over on the MRP Forum that will, hopefully, help you to decide what to bring.

I am posting these short articles over on the Forum rather than here, because I feel that it will be easier for people to comment on my suggestions as well as ask questions. Anyone can read the material posted over on the forum, but if you would like to make a comment or ask a question then you must registar. Don't worry it is a painless procedure and only takes a minute. Of course you can always contact me directly with any questions that you might have

See you in Belize, Tim

More new volunteers

More and more people have committed to spending part of their summer with us. Here are some of our newest volunteers.

• Sarah Surasky: University of Indianapolis, Session 1
• Dick Hall: Los Angeles, Session 2
• Anke de Moer: The Netherlands, Session 4
• Eric de Ruyter: The Netherlands, Session 4

A Guide to Blue Creek

Here is a link to the online version of a guide to Blue Creek. This contains general information about Blue Creek as well as information on traveling to Belize, and things to bring. If you are joining us this summer, or still considering it, this is a must read. The answers to many comon questions can be found in the guide.

Blue Creek General Information Guide

MRP Message Board

The Maya Research Program Message Board is back on line in a new and different form. Those of you who are long time followers of MRP on the web know that we took the MRP Message Board offline about six months ago and replaced it with this Blog. We did this because of the amount of spam that was posted on the board each day.

Well the board is back in a different form. Instead of a simple message board I have but up a standard community forum. This type of bulliten board will be familiar to many people who use the web on a daily basis. If you are not familiar with the the structure don't worry it is very easy to use.

If you just want to see what people are saying than you do not have to registar. Simply go to the forum that you are interested in and browse. However if you want to post a new topic or comment on an old topic than you will have to registar. This is a simple process bu neccessary to keep auytomated systems from spamming the forum.

The first place you should go is the new and returning members area. Here you can post a new thread introducing youself. It is a great way to get to know the community. There are also sections devoted camp life, excavations at Blue Creek, the Yaxunah Experience and the tours.

Have fun and contribute as often as you want. Things will be slow at first but will pick up as more people come out and play

Tim

MRP Message Board