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==We've Got a Lot to Drink About...==
==Convergence 17 Cozumel, Mexico ==

For your kind consideration, some crazy guy in California and some
crazy chick in Chicago want to throw the first Convergence in Mexico.

Convergence 17: Cozumel is slated for June 24-26 2011.

==Your Mad People==

The C17 Cozumel committee is Michael "Scar" Swanson and
CarrieMonster.

Michael has been in the "goth scene" since 1993, whatever that means.

He has been going to Convergence since C6, was a volunteer at C9, was
a DJ at C14 and C15, and was on the committee for C15. He
has attended C6, C9, C10, C11, C14, C15.

Carrie "I'm not doing this again" Monster has been involved in the
planning of more Convergences than anyone in history.

Known for being a general sassy mouthed, zombie loving, psychobilly
queen.

This former celebrity dj, spends her days with Ian nothing (aka
FUNBOY), their dogs, and makes people glamorous for a living.  Throws
really awesome parties!

You will be delighted.

==Theme==

The theme is... we're in Mexico at an all-inclusive resort.

==Location==

With a Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul, Cozumel is a paradise where
tradition, flavor and joy come together. You will always find a
friendly face and a warm welcome to make your stay an unforgettable
one.

Famous all over the world for its coral reefs, there are plenty of
water sports such as diving, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, kayaking
and more. Cozumel's mostly undeveloped territory at the center of the
island is covered by jungle and swampy lagoons, which are home to tiny
mammals and endemic birds that have never left the island. Noteworthy
is the Chankanaab National Park, a Cozumel icon, and the Punta Sur
Ecological Reserve. This huge protected area at the southern tip of
the island includes Punta Celarain and its historical lighthouse, as
well as the Colombia Lagoon, a shelter for many of the island's
endemic species, as well as other endangered forms of life, such as
marine turtles and their nesting areas.

[Taken from CometoCozumel.Com]

==Weather==
We won't lie to you. Cozumel is quite warm in the summer. But in the
shade it's nice, and evenings aren't quite as bad.

==Cost==

We are expecting to sell the laminates for anywhere between $20-30,
but we are hoping we can do this for even less. We know that there are
added costs to this proposal, and do not want to add on any more than
necessary.

==Hotel==
Due to the higher cost of getting to Cozumel, We looked for the best value in hotels.

We have selected the Hotel Cozumel as the official location for C17. [http://www.hotelcozumel.com.mx/en Hotel Cozumel Website]

Hotel Cozumel & Resort was recently recognized by “Check-Safety-First” (Hotels that care about your health) as one of the three hotels in Cozumel that has proved its capability to prevent food borne illness. Hotel Cozumel & Resort has been subject to monthly rigorous inspections for food safety and hygiene. Other aspects such as fire safety, hurricane preparedness, ethical operation, sustainable tourism and others were also inspected.

ROOM RATES
Valid dates: Jun..20 - 30/2011

'''All inclusive plan

Single occupancy    $90.00

Double occupancy  $65.60

Triple occupancy    $57.00

Rates in US dollars, per person per night and include: meals and drinks, non motorized water sports, day activities, night entertainment, gratuities and all applicable taxes.


Use booking code CONVERAI for the All Inclusive.
'''



Not interested in an all inclusive? The Hotel Cozumel offers an European plan that is just for the room only. You will get 20% off of Food and Drink with this room.



'''European plan (room only)

Single/double occupancy $71.25

Triple occupancy            $93.75

Rates in US dollars, per room per night, plus 14% tax.


Use booking code CONVEREP for the European plan.'''


Amongst the 4 Star Hotels on the island, Hotel Cozumel & Resort has many good things to be proud of. Things that have made of this friendly resort the best option for families and divers. Wondering why? It is simple: the best location and the best value!

At the Hotel Cozumel, an all-inclusive stay includes unlimited meals, snacks and beverages all included in the price of your stay. Yes... this includes Alcohol.


Dining: LOS ARCOS: It is the main restaurant located by the front desk, serving the perfect morning start buffet breakfast and dinner.
Breakfast from 6:30 am – 10:30 am
Dinner from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm.

LOS PERICOS Grill. It serves snacks and beverages in a relaxing atmosphere by the largest pool of Cozumel.
Hours service: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Bars: LOBBY BAR: Offers a wide variety or domestic liquors and beer. A perfect place to watch a favorite sport or to play some of our table games.
Open from 2:00 pm – 2:00 am and there are others.

 

==Events==
Every Convergence has some things in common: vendors, meals, and the
evening events. Ours will be different. There will not be a vendor's
room due to the high cost of getting the items there.  This is going
to be time to relax, not worrying if you sold enough merchandise to
cover the cost of getting it there.

What we propose is a "virtual" vending room, open to all, that would
be included on the official C17 website. We are hoping to have 3 dance
nights, even if we just take over the night club like pirates.

Friday:

Meet and Greet / Sign In -- the traditional opening event. Sign in,
get your laminates, and enjoy the scenery and your inclusive
beverages.

Later, join us as we dance the night away as we celebrate being
Gypsies in the Palace.

Saturday:

Zombie Tiki Terror Night – Tonight we explore the strange and bizarre.
A legion of the undead have awoken and want to party. Zombies just
want to dance... and eat brains, so the music will range from
Deathrock to Industrial.

Sunday

Party at the End of The World - The world is ending.. how will you be
dressed? This night will be more focused on a mixture of good time
party music, as we party like it's 1999.

Monday

==Bye Now!==

By this time, you should be dragging your carcass out and getting to
the airport to go home.

==Unofficial Events and Excursions==

Please see [http://www.hotelcozumel.com.mx/en/services/additionalservices.html Hotel Cozumel Additional Services]



==Getting Here:==

Cozumel has an international airport, so getting here should be easy.
Choosing cities around the country show prices to be between 400 and
600 Round Trip.

==F.A.Q.==
Q. Why Mexico?
A. Why Not? We have had Convergences in Canada and the U.S., and the
last time we checked Mexico was still in North America.

Q. Why do you not have a set date?
A. We do not have a set date in order to select a date based on what
is good for the a.g. community. It will be either in July or August,
but we will see what the best rates are travel and room-wise.

Q. What will the weather be like?
A. The Summer in Cozumel is very hot (usually between 87 and 90), and
sometimes you will get some heavy rains in the afternoon after the
warm day. The water is warm and very clear and the sun will go down
around 8 or even 9 PM.

Q. Won't I melt?
A. Uh.. maybe..

Q. Blah blah blah ALCOHOL?
A. It's included with the price of your hotel room!

Q. Swimming pool, hot tub?
A. Yes... they have them

Q. Will the events be kid-friendly?
A. The nightclub is adults only, but the rest of the event is kid
friendly. We are not programming every minute of your time, and our
events will just be in the evenings.

Q. I hate ______ kind of music, which you have on _____ night. What do
I do?
A. Just enjoy yourself!

Q. I heard that Mexico is in the middle of a drug war right now?
A. Yes. Sadly it is. If you look on this map you will see the effected
areas are far far away from Cozumel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mexico_states_map_small_war.PNG

The affected areas are where the crimes seem to be the most
concentrated. Were not saying there is no crime elsewhere in Mexico!

That would be a lie. Keep in mind, crime is everywhere, be on guard,
don't carry cash or if you do wear a money belt.

Keep flashy jewelry and designer duds to a bare minimum.

Q. I want to see the ruins. Can I do that?
A. By all means yes! We suggest going on the hotel's guided tour! We
wouldn't want you to be scammed out of your money and we wouldn't want
you to be in danger.

Be smart, don't leave the resort on your own. Don't rent a car or a
scooter. Go only on the guided tours. Use your head. Were in a foreign
land.

Q. I've been hearing about kidnappings happening all over Mexico. I
saw it on Dateline, even! Will I be safe?
A. We think so! If you, once again, stay within the resort or go out
on hotel sponsored tours only.

A friend, a tiny quiet woman, just traveled to Mexico and back ALL BY
HER SELF and she came back in one piece.

Again, we say, use your smarts.

Q. Tell me something else to ease my mind about Cozumel?
A. Well, the crime is low for a Caribbean island and for Mexico.

Pick pockets happen there but they happen everywhere so be cautious.

Since Cozumel is a small island, everyone knows each other

The only income source is tourism.  Because of this, they are very
protective of the island!

Seeing that it is an island, there are very few escape routes for the
Cartel and other criminals.

There is a military base on the island so you will see a lot of that
sort of stuff going on.

Here are some links to ease your mind...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g150809-s206/Cozumel:Mexico:Health....

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=942461

http://thisiscozumel.com/content/view/794/2/

http://www.whatisreallyhappeninginmexico.com/

Q. Can I drink the water?
A. We wouldn't. Although, we've heard that Cozumel has it's own water
treatment plant for safe drinking water and ice!

Q. Do I need a passport?
A. Yes, you do!