REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS

Native Nations or Indigenous Peoples

All indigenous participants in the March 21 Ceremony must request registration in advance, fill out the General Participant Registration Form and show credentials to the Organizing Commission.

All indigenous participants wishing to participate with their sacred drum must register with the Organizing Commission in advance.

All indigenous participants are requested to register in advance and make a voluntary contribution.

All Regions, Communities and Families of the Otomí Native Nation are requested to express their Mföxte-Mföts’i (Participation, Hospitality and Mutual Assistance) and to register in advance also.

Different World Traditions

All participants in the March 21 Ceremony from different traditions around the world must request registration in advance, fill out the General Participant Registration Form and show credentials to the Organizing Commission.

All participants from different traditions wishing to participate with their sacred drum must register the drum with the Organizing Commission in advance.

All Participants from Different Traditions around the World are requested to register and make a set donation/contribution.

LODGING

For logistical reasons, all participants in the March 21, 2008, Ceremony from Native Nations, Indigenous Peoples or Different Traditions that live in Central Mexico (State of México, Federal District, Morelos, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Querétaro) are asked to start arriving early, at dawn, on March 21. Arrival at the Otomí Ceremonial Center in Temoaya before 9:00 a.m. is recommended.

Only Indigenous Persons and Persons from Different Traditions coming from greater distances in Mexico or abroad may opt for the following lodging services:

Make reservations personally and pay for rooms at hotels in the Toluca Valley (in Toluca and Temoaya counties) so that they can leave early for the Otomí Ceremonial Center. If further information is needed, please contact us.

Camping near the Otomí Ceremonial Center. Campers must request permission in advance by filling out a registration form and obtaining confirmation. We also recommend bringing everything you will need to spend the night, such as sleeping bags, warm clothes, blankets, and a lantern. We also suggest that you bring your own tents and that you let us know about any tents when you register. This is the only way participants may arrive the day before, i.e., on March 20,, unless participating in the International Meeting taking place on March 14-23.

MEALS

Meals will be available at the March 21, 2008, Ceremony for indigenous participants and persons from different traditions from distant locations if they register in advance, obtain confirmation of their participation, and pay for these meals.

There will be food service and typical Otomí food at the Otomí Ceremonial Center to benefit the Grand House of Otomí Knowledge and the Indigenous University. 

All participants in the March 21, 2008, Ceremony from near-by states, regions, counties and communities are invited to bring food to share.

TRANSPORTATION

Any indigenous participants and persons from other traditions taking part in the March 21, 2008, Ceremony that need further information on transportation or who need transportation are requested to let us know as soon as possible.

To reach the Otomí Ceremonial Center, you can use public or private surface transportation as follows:

From the Mexico City Airport:

If you are arriving by air from abroad or other parts of Mexico, take one of the buses at the Mexico City Airport that leave hourly for Toluca in the State of México, and then take a taxi from Toluca to the Otomí Ceremonial Center in Temoaya, State of México (32 km). Or if you prefer, take a taxi to the bus station in Toluca, where buses leave Bay 5 for Temoaya, and then transfer to another bus or take a taxi to the Otomí Ceremonial Center.

If you are a large group arriving at the airport, you can charter a special bus to the Otomí Ceremonial Center in Temoaya, State of México, and if you do so, please let us know as soon as possible.

From Mexico City:

From the Toreo de Cuatro Caminos Subway Station on Line 2 (Blue Line) in Mexico City, you can catch a bus for Temoaya at Bay D at the bus stop at the subway station. Get off at the Circle in Temoaya and take a bus or taxi to the Otomí Ceremonial Center.

From the Observatorio Subway Station in Mexico City (the last station on Line 1 – the Pink Line), go to the Central de Autobuses Poniente Bus Station. Take a bus to the Bus Terminal in Toluca. Take another bus at Bay 5 to Temoaya, and get off at Temoaya Circle. Then take a bus or taxi from there to the Otomí Ceremonial Center.

You can also get here by bus from Morelos, Guerrero, Michoacán, Querétaro, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Tijuana, Reynosa, Ciudad Juárez, Nogales, Matamoros, Monterrey. Go to the Toluca Bus Terminal, and from there to Temoaya and the Otomí Ceremonial Center.

If you are driving or taking a private bus, you can take the following routes to the Otomí Ceremonial Center:

From Mexico City: Naucalpan, Chimalpa, Xonacatlan, Villa Cuauhtémoc, Temoaya, Otomí Ceremonial Center.

From Mexico City: Observatorio, Marquesa, Toluca, San Cristóbal, Huichochitlan, San Andrés Cuexcontitlan, Temoaya, Otomí Ceremonial Center.

From Cuernavaca: Lagunas de Zempoala, Santiago Tianguistento, Toluca, San Cristóbal Huichochitlan, San Andrés Cuexcontitlan, Temoaya, Otomí Ceremonial Center.

 From Zitacuaro: Toluca, San Cristóbal Huichochitlan, San Andrés Cuexcontitlan, Temoaya, Otomí Ceremonial Center.

From Morelia: Atlacomulco, Toluca, San Cristóbal Huichochitlan, San Andrés Cuexcontitlan, Temoaya, Otomí Ceremonial Center.

From Guadalajara: Querétaro, San Juan del Río, Aculco, Atlacomulco, Toluca,  San Cristóbal Huichochitlan, San Andrés Cuexcontitlan, Temoaya, Otomí Ceremonial Center.

From Ixmiquilpan: Tula, Jilotepec, Timilpan, Ixtlahuaca, Jiquipilco, Temoaya, Otomí Ceremonial Center.

WARNING: For your protection, convenience and safety as participants, please note that access to the Otomí Ceremonial Center will be denied to anyone who is undesirable or disrespectful. Visitors are also asked to respect natural areas and facilities at the sacred site. You are hereby warned that the use and consumption of drugs and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. All brothers and sisters are asked to conduct themselves with respect, peace, harmony and brotherhood at all times.

MISCELLANEOUS: Any matters not addressed in this invitation will be decided by the Organizing Commission.