Do I need to speak Spanish?

No, but you will need to be able to speak English fluently. All of the writing workshops will be in English.

 

Will there be a Spanish/English translator?
Jaclyn speaks Spanish quite well, and Geoff's Spanish is functional. In addition, we will have a translator with us during all of our travel and adventures.

 

Can I really write my first draft while I'm there?

If you are a beginner screenwriter, you may or may not complete your entire first draft while at the retreat, but you will have a very strong start and have a full outline to be able to continue writing on your own.

If you are an intermediate or advanced writer, you most definitely can complete your first draft during the retreat.

 

Is it safe to travel in Mexico?

As with most countries, there are areas that are safe and others that are not. The parts of Mexico that make the news are typically border states and port areas where there is cartel competition for the drug trade. The areas where the retreat takes place are not near the parts of the country that might be dangerous. Geoffrey and Jaclyn Whitt live in the town where the majority of the retreat takes place and they have traveled to the adventure areas in the past. Not only is it safe, but they've already established a strong rapport within the community. Writers will be gathered from, and returned to, the Benito Juarez airport in Mexico City, unless other arrangements have been made.

 

What will the weather be like?

There may be some rain, but the rainy season will be over. However, rain is often welcomed as it cools the air, and it will be mostly at night. Temperatures can still get quite warm during the day. The average highs for October is 29° Celsius (85° F), with average lows of 20° C (69° F). It can be somewhat humid, though the most humid time of year has passed; likely around 65% at the highest point of the day. During the orientation meetings leading up to the event, more specific information will be given as to what to expect. Our adventure trip to the mountains will probably be just a few degrees cooler.

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Will I have access to Wifi? 

You will have wifi access most places you go (ie. the Whitts, your hotel, the church, etc). There will not be wifi around town (ie. coffee shops, etc).

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What will my hotel room be like? 

Your room will have air conditioning. Though it will be a little cooler at night, it should not ever get cold enough that an extra blanket won't solve it. Some King rooms are available (for couples and those choosing to pay for single accommodations). We will change hotels when we go on our overnight adventure. We will provide more information and images, and we will keep updating you in our orientation meetings as we move toward the retreat dates.

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How should I pack? 

You can pack light. Laundry service will be provided, so you do not have to pack enough clean clothes for your whole trip. (Laundry service is machine wash and dry, no special requirements.) Pack according to the temperatures we have provided. A light sweater or jacket is always a good idea for this time of year, it might come in handy on some evenings and on our adventure to the mountains.

 

Will I be able to buy souvenirs? 

Yes. While we will not be in tourist areas most of the time, there will still be opportunities to visit shops to buy things like, local vanilla, blankets, hats, pottery, shirts, purses, leather belts and more.

 

Is this a mission trip?

No, this is not a mission trip. But, while there is no specific venture to give to a community in need, there does arise the occasional opportunity to give to an individual in need. We can discuss this more during an orientation meeting, but to clarify, there is no obligation to give; it is always a freewill offering. There is not a constant demand for donations in the areas where we will be, or even a constant demand from aggressive sellers. If you've traveled to Mexico before, especially in city or tourist shopping areas, you will find this to be a very different experience in a lot of ways, including this one.

 

How will I be able to communicate with my family back home?

If you have Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or some other form of internet communication, you will be able to contact them as easily as you would at home. You will have access to wifi in the hotels. If you decide that you want to purchase a sim card and a phone plan with data while in Mexico, you can discuss and plan that during the orientation meeting. It is inexpensive and simple to do. ​

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When is the money due?

Please read the Payment Schedule and Refund Policy

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If I cancel, can I get a refund?

Please read the Payment Schedule and Refund Policy

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We will add to this list as we become aware of common questions. Please feel free to email us if you have questions you would like answered, or set up a Zoom call to settle all your questions at once!