6th GVI Mexico staff workshop!

The 6th GVI Mexico workshop took place last week. The team consisted of Punta Gruesa, Pez Maya and Playa del Carmen staff. We travelled to Cancun, to pay a visit to our partners Amigos de Sian Ka’an, then back to the hyperbaric chamber in Playa del Carmen for an afternoon of health and safety... unfortunately not actually “in” the chamber..suggestions of a dry dive H + S workshop were dismissed! That evening we all ate a well deserved feast of 7kg of meat (not each.. although some did make a damn good effort.. errrm Bryan and Jim!), tortillas, guacamole and the like... yum! It was back to beautiful Pez Maya the following day to continue with the health and safety and volunteer management courses and also to discuss the forthcoming 2012 changes.

We did have a visit from Lois and Carlos (Amigos de Sian Ka’an) to teach us the new exciting methodologies for beach clean and photo transect monitoring. We also welcomed Dr Renata and Dr. Caroline from the hyperbaric chamber, who talked to us about common dive-related problems and how to take care of our ears :) They also shared with us a recent shocking emergency they had attended to...with a devastating outcome...which definitely touched us all.

We tried out the new beach clean method that evening, against an amazing backdrop of the setting sun. On the last day of the workshop, which was also Mexican Independe

nce Day, we took part in a “surprise activity” arranged by Cynthia and Lluvia... this consisted of donning lifejackets (some chose to simply lie on it, whereas most opted for the “nappy” method of wearing it..very trendy) and floating with the current through a narrow winding river in the mangroves.

It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.. even Rhu “I’m not getting in the water there are crocodiles in there” Le Mage. That evening we held a BBQ and fancy dress competition in aid of Mexican Independence; Zorro, a Mexican flag, Frida Kahlo and El Sunburnto the wrestler all attended, and we watched “El Grito de la Independencia” or “the Cry of Independence” that takes place every year. It was a great close to the workshop...¡Viva Mexico!

6th GVI Mexico staff workshop!