Excursion to Guinea with M’bemba Bangoura

Master drummer and dancer M'Bemba Bangoura invites you to join him on a visit to his native country of Guinea, West Africa!

Dec 29th – Jan 19th 2012

Administered by Michael Markus – this December 2011 will mark our 16th year!

This trip is dedicated to advancing the students proficiency in drumming and dancing while offering an exploration of the rich culture and history of Guinea, West Africa. M’bemba Bangoura is your enthusiastic trip leader and host Master teacher.

Participants will reside in a large house about 15 miles from downtown Conakry. Accommodations are simple, but comfortable. Participants will share the bedrooms and bathrooms of the house. M’Bemba’s chosen chefs will prepare daily meals during our visit.

M’Bemba personally conducts daily classes for participants alongside selectively chosen master musicians and dancers from Guinea's internationally acclaimed national drum and dance troupes. Participants will have the opportunity to attend two drum and two dance classes each day during the week. On the weekends, participants can observe various traditional ceremonies, and street festivals, go shopping in the huge markets, visit the Wula drum shop, visit family and friends houses, explore of beautiful beaches, and attend rehearsals by some of Guinea's most celebrated performance troupes! – Or just Relax!

The group will take a trip to beautiful Bel Air, outside of Conakry in the Boffa area. Bel Air is Guinea's longest beach and provides 7 km of white and silver sand. Gentle sea breezes and luxurious vegetation make it a paradise. We will also visit the former slave fort of Boke, which is now a museum. And, time permitting, we will visit the beautiful water falls in Kindia and M’bemba’s extended family.

Join this unforgettable cross-cultural journey to experience the culture, history and music of Guinea, West Africa! It will change your life.

Our trip is open to ALL levels – Classes will be divided according to their skill level.

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DAILY SCHEDULE

Morning: Breakfast
Dance/Drum classes

Afternoon: Lunch
Dance/Drum classes

Evening: Dinner/Free Time
Night Activities

MEALS IN GUINEA

The delicious local cuisine is based on rice, with fish, vegetables, meat and a variety of sauces.

3 delicious meals will be served everyday with a vegetarian option available.

Fresh bread, salad and bottled water will accompany all meals.

Breakfast includes egg dishes, french baguettes, and fresh fruit.

Main courses are based on rice dishes with delicious sauces, salads, couscous, and either fish, chicken and beef. A variety of dishes will always be served!

Cost: $1850
This includes:

• Transportation To and From Airport in Conakry
• Lodging for 3-weeks
• 3 meals per day for 3 weeks
• 2 Drum and 2 Dance Classes daily (Mondays- Fridays)
• Outing To The Beautiful Beaches On The Island of Roume
• Trip To Kindia (enrollment permitting)
• Trip to Boke and museum (enrollment permitting)
• Trip to Bel Aire (enrollment permitting)

We offer a three weeks trip, but can pro-rate for anyone who wants to go for a shorter duration.

You must arrange and pay for your own air travel and visa. However, we will provide travel and VISA assistance. Please contact us prior to purchasing flights so we can help advise you. You should make plans to arrive in Guinea on December 28, or 29, 2011 and depart on January 18, or 19, 2012.

Registration and deposit acceptable anytime, Due by November 1st.

Registration Form

Your registration will be confirmed when we have received your initial deposit of $1000 and your signed registration form. Please register as soon as possible, so we can best inform you of details for your trip.

*There is a $500 fee for cancellations made once you are registered. This does not include a penalization from the airline company if the ticket has already been purchased.

Payment balance must be fulfilled by December 1st.

REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO OBTAIN VISA TO ENTER GUINEA

Entry Visa

• Submit your original, valid U.S. Passport—NOT A COPY
• 2 visa application forms, fully completed and signed (we can e-mail these to you)
• 2 passport photographs
• International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever
• Letter of invitation from M’Bemba Bangoura (Provided with Information Packet upon completing registration)

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

If you have any questions, please call Michael Markus at (718) 786-8383.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We are not responsible for lost or stolen items, injury or sickness. We reserve the right to deny access to any applicant we deem unfit for this trip. You must have your immunization card as proof of having your Yellow Fever shot with you to gain entry into Guinea. No refunds will be made to anyone who is denied access to the country due to lack of required documents.

Please e-mail info@magbana.com with any questions.

Thanks,
Michael

5 Steps For Planning Your Trip:

1. Registration & Deposit ($1,000)
2. Receive Guinea Info Packet (Upon submission of the registration form, participants will receive a detailed information packet outlining suggested preparatory measures for travel to Guinea, which is based upon the collected experiences of past participants)
3. Purchase Flight
4. Obtain Visa (You will need a visa for travel to Guinea. Our extensive history conducting this trip has solidified an excellent rapport with Guinean embassy. As such, we provide expedited Visa processing for all participants for an additional $30. This covers Fedex fees, but not the cost of the visa itself. The visa is $100, no matter where you get it. We must have your paperwork before December 1, 2011 in order to have your visa processed – More information below)
5. Purchase necessary supplies and vaccinations (Upon completing the registration form, a list of necessary/suggested items to bring will be e-mailed to you. There is a mandatory vaccination for Yellow Fever to enter Guinea. Several other shots and medications are recommended. For information, call the Center for Disease Control at 404-639-3311 or visit the website at: www.cdc.gov)

If you have any questions, please call Michael Markus at (718) 786-8383, or e-mail info@magbana.com. Website: www.magbana.com