GET READY FOR THIS WEEKEND!!

The route and schedule we are taking can be found here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=117717828768276807251.000474a385df2ddfdc4b0
Please notice WE ARE LEAVING AT NINE AM SHARP!!!

Plan to be at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church at 8:30
If you are habitually late plan to be there at 8:15 am
Here is a map link to the church: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=2025+w.+11th,+houston,+tx&ie=UTF8&gl=us&ei=lEbKSqgrh6wxtKuV8wc&hq=&hnear=2025+W+11th+St,+Houston,+Texas+77008&z=16


Some notes and suggestions on packing for the National Equality March

For the van:
DO
Bring a clean normal sized pillow; it will be a long ride
Bring snacks! (But be aware if sugary snacks cause you to crash a couple hours later, no one wants to spend 24 hours in a van with a grouch) great snacks include: Granola, dried fruit, crackers, muffins, cheese…
Bring the most comfortable pair of shoes you own.
Pack an extra pair of socks. Just in case.
Bring deodorant, and reapply it regularly.
Bring CDs, games and books for the trip
Bring head phones and an MP3 player/disc man/walk man so you can listen to your own music.
Pack any medication you might need. We are traveling through several states each with their own allergens, if you have allergies pack your favorite antihistamine. If you get car sick, pack Dramamine, if you can’t sleep in a car, pack sleeping pills.
Pack wet naps/hand sanitizer.
Bring cash. Many street vendors don’t take credit/debit.
Be aware of how much money you will need for meals and sundry expenses. The Metro system charges per ride. You will need at least 11 dollars on a metro pass for the rides back and forth from the hotel. Metro passes can be purchased and ‘charged’ at any station but the crowds and the kiosks get crazy on big protest weekends. Plan to charge your card for the weekend when you first get to town, it will save you time in the long run.
Pack sunscreen, you will need it.

DON’T
Pack anything you would be heartbroken to lose (Childhood teddy bear, commemorative Obama plate, etc)
Bring food with a strong odor such
Over pack, one pair of shoes will do you, and one set of clothes per day is plenty. You do not need ‘options’.
Wear perfume/cologne/after shave. What is delightful in a normal sized room is oppressive in a van, especially when combined with 14 other scents.
Be upset if other people don’t want to listen to your music/play your games/hear your new poem.
Under any circumstances bring recreational drugs. We are traveling though the deep south and the state troopers there take these things very seriously, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!


For the March
DO
Dress in light layers, forecast is for highs in the 60’s.
Bring a camera
Bring a pad of paper and something to write with. You will likely want to swap contact info with people.
Pack water and snacks! Otherwise you will wait in line for half an hour for a five dollar hot dog.
Be aware that you will be carrying whatever you bring around with you all day.
Be prepared to be crowded.
WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!

DON’T
Bring anything that could be considered a weapon by the wildest stretch of the imagination.
Threaten counter-protestors. It’s fine (if pointless) to engage them, but yelling threats (“I’m gonna kick your ass”) can get you detained by the cops.

VANS ARE SOLD OUT!!

Sorry for anyone that missed out but the vans are full! there might be a spot or two left so if you really want to go please email us asap to find out.

nemhouston@gmail.com

Thanks and I hope to see you in DC!!!

Tickets on sale now PRICE REDUCED!!

Ticket prices have gone down!! Go ahead and sign up now! Scroll down for options:

Travel:
Van Schedule 1
$55 per person
Depart from Houston at 9:00am Friday October 9th
Arrive in D.C. the morning of Saturday October 10th
Depart from D.C. 7:00pm Sunday October 11th
Return in Houston the evening of Monday 12th

Van Schedule 2
$55 per person
Depart from Houston at 9:00 am Saturday October 10th
Arrive in D.C. the morning of Sunday October 11th
Depart from D.C at 7:00pm Sunday October 11th
Arrive in Houston the evening of Monday October 12th

Lodging:
The people who choose to ride the van(s) leaving Saturday won’t have to worry about lodging. The people riding in the van(s) leaving Friday have a few options for lodging.
(The lodging costs are not included in the Travel costs listed above)
Ÿ Days Inn - We set up a group rate with the Days Inn. It’ll be $60 a night (so with 4 people in a room that’s $15 each!!) The days in is located about 6.5 miles from the center of the capital. If you want to stay here you have to book by October 2nd to get our group discount. We encourage anyone without other arrangements to stay here at this is where the vans will be parked (we will take the metro from there to the march site).

Go here to reserve your room (make sure to select the Days Inn): http://impacthouston.lexyl.com/

For additional travel options go to: http://equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?page_id=4359

We will be offering a reduced rate for low income and students. This will be a need-based service. If you are interested in finding out more or have any questions at all please email us at nemhouston@gmail.com.

Here is an idea of what the drive will look like:

9:00am -Leave Houston
1:00 pm (4 hrs later) lunch break
2:00 pm continue
6:00pm (4 hours later) dinner break
7:00 continue
11:00pm (4 hrs later) gas & potty break
11:30pm continue
4:00am (4.5 hours later) gass and potty break
4:30 am continue
9:00 am (4.5 hours later) breakfast break
10:00am onward to D.C!

Tickets on sale now to go to DC for the National Equality March!

Want to go to DC with other Houstonians? Then scroll down to buy your tickets below!! First, all the info:

Here in Houston, a local group of activists have organized three 15-passenger vans to carry Houstonians to Washington D.C. for the National Equality March. Our main objective has been to get as many Houstonians to the march for as little out of pocket cost as possible. There are two different vans schedules to accommodate for those who can only ask for one day off, vs. those who want to in D.C. for some of the events happening on Saturday.

You will be notified as to where in Houston the vans will be leaving from.


Travel:
Van Schedule 1
$55 per person
Depart from Houston at 9:00am Friday October 9th
Arrive in D.C. the morning of Saturday October 10th
Depart from D.C. 7:00pm Sunday October 11th
Return in Houston the evening of Monday 12th

Van Schedule 2
$55 per person
Depart from Houston at 9:00 am Saturday October 10th
Arrive in D.C. the morning of Sunday October 11th
Depart from D.C at 7:00pm Sunday October 11th
Arrive in Houston the evening of Monday October 12th


Lodging:
The people who choose to ride the van(s) leaving Saturday won’t have to worry about lodging. The people riding in the van(s) leaving Friday have a few options for lodging.
(The lodging costs are not included in the Travel costs listed above)
Ÿ Quality Inn - We set up a group rate with the Quality Inn. It’ll be $60 a night (so with 4 people in a room that’s $15 each!!) The days in is located about 6.5 miles from the center of the capital. If you want to stay here you have to book by October 2nd to get our group discount. We encourage anyone without other arrangements to stay here at this is where the vans will be parked (we will take the metro from there to the march site).

Go here to reserve your room (make sure to select the Quality Inn): http://impacthouston.lexyl.com/

For additional travel options go to: http://equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?page_id=4359

We will be offering a reduced rate for low income and students. This will be a need-based service. If you are interested in finding out more or have any questions at all please email us at nemhouston@gmail.com.

Here is an idea of what the drive will look like:

9:00am -Leave Houston
1:00 pm (4 hrs later) lunch break
2:00 pm continue
6:00pm (4 hours later) dinner break
7:00 continue
11:00pm (4 hrs later) gas & potty break
11:30pm continue
4:00am (4.5 hours later) gass and potty break
4:30 am continue
9:00 am (4.5 hours later) breakfast break
10:00am onward to D.C!