AMG '08 Mexico City time of year poll - August or September

[AMG Coordinator]

Please participate in this poll only if you plan on attending AMG '08 in Mexico City.  The majority of members of voted for September as the time of year.  However, August came in a close second.

Please cast your vote for August, September or either (if you can attend in August or September).  This poll will run for 14 days.

Thanks!

[sacinsc]

I think the better question here is when during each month you would be looking to host it rather than the month itself. For me, I will be starting back to grad school in August, so early August works; or if in September, Labor Day weekend would work, otherwise, its going to be a maybe...will my professor's agree to give me an excused absence?

Just a thought.

Matt

[allanq]

Matt,

I know that some schools start in late August, and some may even start earlier. Maybe it would be helpful if those choosing August would state a date in August beyond which they could not make it. Or if August is chosen, maybe we can do it in the first half of the month.

Allan

[Miss Philicia]

It would be helpful if we could compare hotel rates for each months, even if just a ballpark figure.  Mexico City is not a resort though so perhaps it doesn't really matter.  Still would be nice to know.

[allanq]

I checked out four hotels on Travelocity for August and September. Two of them were cheaper in September; the other two were the same price in both months. I selected hotels in or near the Zona Rosa and which got favorable reviews from Travelocity users.

The nightly rates are listed below.

                                 Aug 7-12     Sept 11-16

Hotel Mision Reforma      $  93         $  93
Suites Del Angel                79             47
Holiday Inn Zocalo             80             80
Emporio Reforma             151             93

[mjmel]

more suggestions:

1. Maria Cristina Hotel, Río Lerma 31, Neighborhood: Cuauhtémoc, Ciudad de Mexico runs about $78-$99 per night.
    Hotel with colonial design in residential section near British Embassy--formerly a Spanish Colonial Mansion.
    Within easy walking distance to Zona Rosa and Cuauhtemoc Metro Station (Pink Line) and a quite area at night.

2. The Quality Suites, Liverpool # 197, Mexico City, in the heart of Zona Rosa and the thick of things.
    Close to Insurgentes Metro Stop (Pink Line).

The Metro transit system of Mexico City cost 2 pesos to travel from one station to the next station on the line.
(20 cents) It is the cheapest mass transit in the world and massive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MetroDF.jpg

Mike M

[ademas]

I've stayed at Hotel Del Angel on Rio Lerma a few times--$47 per night--clean, spacious rooms--but really no frills--plus a pretty good, inexpensive restaurant on the 11th floor with great views.  Pretty good location--just a few blocks from La Zona Rosa--great view of the Plaza Del Angel from some of the rooms I've stayed in. 

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-376536-hotel_del_angel-i

A better bet is The Marco Polo--right in the heart of La Zona Rosa--which I really enjoyed.  Perfect location.  It's definitely more expensive, but much nicer--and they do have some excellent internet rates:

http://www.marcopolo.com.mx/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150800-d154668-Reviews-Marco_Polo_Hotel-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

(I know this isn't a thread about hotels, but since it's been brought up...I thought I'd share what I know...)

[Razorbill]

Any time in August up to Labor Day is good .  In this part of the country schools are not back inseesion until after labor day - coleges however go back a week earlier.  Hmmm...Meico City outskirts - Red Warbler!

[Robert]

I voted  for either Aug or Sept. I prefer Aug though for all those red warbler look-alikes we have in the crowd.

robert

[mjmel]

I voted August with hopes that we'll plan for the week of IAC. City officials are busy prepping its citizens for the conference. 

Mike M

[David_CA]

Any time in August up to Labor Day is good .  In this part of the country schools are not back inseesion until after labor day - coleges however go back a week earlier.  Hmmm...Meico City outskirts - Red Warbler!

Speaking of school... look at all those typos!     (You KNOW I'm just kidding!)



(edited to add somewhat of a disclaimer)

[sacinsc]

HMMMM the teacher in me has to grade that one an F. Sorry, but you have spell check here and time to look over your work. Had this been an in class written assignment I would have been more forgiving your grammatical and spelling errors. Better luck next post and try and bring that grade up.

That being said...still rooting for August

Matt

[Dennis]

I can attend AMG '08 Mexico City in AUGUST  10 (30.3%)
I can attend AMG '08 Mexico City only in SEPTEMBER  6 (18.2%)
I can attend AMG '08 Mexico City in August OR September  17 (51.5%) 
Total Voters: 33

With the poll coming to a close, I'd like to announce this years AMG will be held in Mexico City during the month of August.

Thank you to those of you who have already done your homework and posted some hotel suggestions.  I'll be following up on those in the upcoming weeks as well as a few others I have in mind.  I should have a couple of proposals to present to the group by the end of the month. 

[anniebc]

Thanks dennis..now we can start planning.

Hugs
Jan

[Razorbill]

I must have been half asleep.  Wow what a mess!  Let's see: in session, Mexico City, colleges.  I'll write them each 25 times.

[David_CA]

I must have been half asleep.  Wow what a mess!  Let's see: in session, Mexico City, colleges.  I'll write them each 25 times.

Now you're learning!   

[ARMANDO]

 i would love to attend( this would be my first time)keep me informed!!

[minismom]

I know I'm not "officially" part of this forum, but I just noticed that the International AIDS conference will be held in Mexico City this year.  It runs Aug. 3 - 8th.  Just something you may want to keep in mind when finalizing the dates.

Mum

[aztecan]

I chose August just because. 

HUGS,

Mark

[anniebc]

I thouth mabye having the AMG starting from the 8th of August after the IAC finishes so more hotel accomadation becomes available..just a thought.


MUM..Even though you may not be able to attend the AMG this year you are still an "official" member of this forum.

Hugs
Jan

[Basquo]

MUM..Even though you may not be able to attend the AMG this year you are still an "official" member of this forum.

I second that! And I didn't realize that the voting closed already, but I lately vote for August.  I know September would be cheaper, but I want to see Razorbill again, so there it is. I don't even know if I'll attend at this point, but if I do I'll get to see him again in person.

 :-*Creighton

[RapidRod]

I won't be attending this year. Y'all have a blast.

Rodney

[Iggy]

I'm just curious of what the temperature will be like in August in Mexico City?

That said, I do like Jan's idea:

I thouth mabye having the AMG starting from the 8th of August after the IAC finishes so more hotel accomadation becomes available..just a thought.

[mjmel]

I'm just curious of what the temperature will be like in August in Mexico City?

I hope you are more than curious. I hope you are intrigued!
Daytime temps near or at 70 degrees. Nighttime temps near mid 50's at the coolest. Short sleeves in daytime and a light jacket in evenings. The month of August will be in the rainy season--so some rain is likely in afternoons, most often.
Elevation: 7000 ft above sea level. Watch those first couple of days with alcohol/shots of tequila. It'll slam ya.

Mike M

[Dan J.]

What about air pollution? I have asthma & I have heard it is very bad in Mexico City.

Dan

[mjmel]

What about air pollution? I have asthma & I have heard it is very bad in Mexico City.

Dan

Yes, high levels of smog from congested traffic. That is an unavoidable element. A curious atmosphere to pick as an AMG destination but the votes are cast and all I can say is bring an inhaler .  In severe asthmatic cases--may present some difficulties, I agree.
With a tamal in one hand and a shot of coffee-flavored tequila in the other, I hope to ignore the yellow haze and see the SUNNY side.

Mike M

P.S. I sent someone on a travel site forum a PM inquiring about it. Seems she just returned from MC with family in tow.


[attachment deleted by admin]

[mjmel]

I received a reply to my inquiry regarding air quality level. in MC. Posted below.

Question:
On Jan 18, 2008, at 06:50 AM mjmel wrote:
You just returned from MC.........is the smog bad? Any respiratory irritations to speak of? Planning a trip there in August.
Thanks.

Response:
"The smog was bad on one day while we were there. My husband suffers from asthma, but did not need his inhaler. By the end of the day out, you do feel gritty in your eyes and nose, but nothing horrible. We did see some locals wearing face masks (like dentist)."

[Dan J.]

I guess I will have to have my albuteral inhailer in one hand & a stiff drink in the other if I can afford to go this year. Herman isn't going to go so I don't see much point in going without him...

[mjmel]

I guess I will have to have my albuteral inhailer in one hand & a stiff drink in the other if I can afford to go this year. Herman isn't going to go so I don't see much point in going without him...

Uh..sweetie......there's alway US! You know, the rest of the forum members who attend? Just because Hermie kept you glue to himself in SF doesn't mean we wouldn't of wanted you to tramp around with.  You do realize I seldom saw you at AMG 07 without another human being attached to the left side of your body.   

Mike M

Nice photo in avatar, Dan!

[Miss Philicia]

I will personally be taking Danny to the infamous gay bar where one can meet members of the Mexican armed forces.  (Yes, it does exist!)

[Dan J.]

I will personally be taking Danny to the infamous gay bar where one can meet members of the Mexican armed forces.  (Yes, it does exist!)

I will take you up on that invitation!!! 

[JohnOso]

I will personally be taking Danny to the infamous gay bar where one can meet members of the Mexican armed forces.  (Yes, it does exist!)

Me too!

[David_CA]

I will personally be taking Danny to the infamous gay bar where one can meet members of the Mexican armed forces.  (Yes, it does exist!)

Oooh, I wanna go, too!  I might just have to tag along... invited or not!

David

[Miss Philicia]

*sigh*... now I have to figure out where I read about this place.  It was several years ago, so it could very well be closed, but assuredly there will something in its place of a similar nature.  I'm horribly skilled at sniffing out the most seedy places in large Latin American and Caribbean cities.  Give me a few hours and I'll have found all of the connections with the drag queens because they ALWAYS know which hustlers have the largest cocks, and where to score the best coke.  They will generally provide these services for an evening of free beers.  And by sporting a fashionable outfit and looking ever so jet set you end up with the most knowledgeable drag queen as official consul general.

By the way, in no way will I be held personally responsible for any shenanigans that go awry because of my fellow travelers' lack of street smarts!   You have been warned.

[Lou-ah-vull]

...and I thought we only had to worry about drinking the water!

Gary 

[Dan J.]

...and I thought we only had to worry about drinking the water!

Gary 

Aparently not! LOL

[mjmel]

Oh Chihuahua!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuOp2Xak_8g&feature=related (no nudity--gogo boy)

No disclaimers, philly267. find it!

Mike M

[Miss Philicia]

There's a gay Mexican HIV'er in my support group... I'll query him, though I know he's originally from Yucatan state.  He's a sad one.... had a brother who died of teh AIDS in the 90's.

[mjmel]

There's a gay Mexican HIV'er in my support group... I'll query him, though I know he's originally from Yucatan state.  He's a sad one.... had a brother who died of teh AIDS in the 90's.

Relax.
I was just kidding, David. (Message missing appropriate smiley indicator.) I can find these things--places. 
Mike M.

[Miss Philicia]

Actually I need to get in touch with one of my ex-lovers, Alfredo.  He's Mexican, but lives in NYC and is a really good artist.  A friend of mine wants to purchase a painting from him anyway, so I need to try and reach him.  Alfredo would know best, because I trust his advice and he knows what I like well.

I really shouldn't have broken up with that one -- he was very talented, sweet and an excellent cook too.  Don't ask me why I broke it off because you'll find me wretched.