Day 1: Sunday, July 15, 2001 
After a long day of travel, meet your guides at a welcome Costa Rican dinner and relax in the tropical climate at our country inn. The theme for our first day together is moving from chaos to order. We'll explore the first day of Creation in Breishit in terms of how the void of the universe was transformed into the order of Creation. We will parallel the chaos of the Creation story with the chaos of our travel and immersion in a new place and a new culture.
Overnight: Alajuela

Day 2: Monday, July 16, 2001 
As we enter Day Two of Creation we will focus on the separation of waters above and below. We'll study the text and examine the difference between mayim, waters below, and shamayim, waters above. After breakfast, take the Pan American Highway up to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde. Our destination will offer the perfect opportunity to experience the discussion of waters above and below as we actually walk through and touch the waters above while we can see the waters below. Upon arrival, we get our first taste of the richness of this ecosystem with a walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics. End the visit at the Hummingbird Gallery and witness a wide variety of hummingbirds around feeders. Then, climb through the hotel's coffee plantation to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Nicoya which flows out to the Pacific Ocean. 
Overnight: Santa Elena (Monteverde)

Day 3: Tuesday, July 17, 2001 
Day Three of Creation offers an opportunity to explore the separation of the waters below and the exposing of dry land. The text for this day will allow us to begin to contemplate and understand the role of water in the production of vegetation on the land, as well as how the land actually produces vegetation. After breakfast we harness ourselves into the ziplines of the SkyTrek a unique way to experience the canopy. Traverse from tree to tree and platform to platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables, as you sail through the treetops of the canopy and over the trails far below. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the virgin cloud forests and explain what's going on around you- from the time you leave the ground until you rappel back down to the forest floor. Orchids, bromeliads and ferns share this aerial existence with an abundance of wildlife. In the afternoon visit the famous Butterfly Garden to learn all that you ever wanted to know (and didn't necessarily want to know!) about butterflies and insects.
Overnight: Santa Elena (Monteverde)

Day 4: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 
Depart early and drive around Lake Arenal on our way to the mighty slopes of the Arenal Volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Along the way, visit the famous windmills that supply an alternative source of electric power to the hydroelectric dam which created the lake. As we study Day Four of Creation we will talk about the creation of the sun, moon and stars, as well as the setting in motion of the lunar calendar. As we visit sights such as the volcano we will compare and contrast the different types of light that we see in the story of Creation. Upon our arrival in La Fortuna, we will take a leisurely hike to the pristine Fortuna waterfall and swim in the beautiful pools at its base. That evening relax in the magical Tabacon Hot Springs and witness the lava erupting from the volcano as yet another example of light that is created by means other than sunlight.
Overnight: La Fortuna

Day 5: Thursday, July 19, 2001 
Our journey continues through the northern lowlands until we arrive at the Sarapaqui River. It is here that we continue our observation of the forest's flora and fauna from our seats aboard a boat on the Sarapaqui River. This Fifth Day of Creation is the day when birds and fish were created and as we travel along the river through the rainforest we will explore different types of bird and fish life that ewxists and the role they play in the continuing evolution of healthy ecosystems. This affords us an opportunity to view the rainforest from a different perspective. The abundance of wildlife on the banks of the river is astounding. Next we drive past banana plantations, through the port city of Limon on our way towards the Southern Caribbean coast. Enjoy the sunset from the Black Sand Beach.
Overnight: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Day 6: Friday, July 20, 2001 
A big day in the Creation story and a big day for us as well. We get an early start as we prepare for our overnight adventure at Punta Mona, our remote, idyllic site for Shabbat. Our text for the day deals with the creation of human beings and their ultimate role on earth as stewards. We'll explore the intricacies of the text as an entry into our unique and meaningful Shabbat experience. We spend the entire morning hiking through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, the only path into our remote campsite. Along the way we travel from the beach path up into the jungle where the diversity of flora and fauna is incredible. This day is an exercise in sustainable living, as we bring little food with us for dinner. We will spend the day swimming, relaxing and gathering local fruits and vegetables for our night's feast. Everything that we will eat must be caught from the sea or foraged from our organic gardens. As we prepare for Shabbat we will begin to slow down and change our focus from the "world of creation, to the creation of the world."

In the evening we will prepare together for our communal Shabbat experience. We will pray together with the echoes of the Caribbean in the background. Following Kabbalat Shabbat we will enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner complete with singing late into the night. 
Overnight: Camping at Punta Mona

Day 7: Saturday, July 21, 2001 
Enjoy Shabbat in a tropical paradise, a true day of rest! We'll have a Shabbat morning program complete with a learning service, which explores the connections found in prayer services to the natural world. In the afternoon we'll relax on the beach and in hammocks, explore the farm and the surrounding jungle. Havdallah on the beach will be an experience that will last well past the event itself. The night is spent around the campfire and walking the beach in the hopes of spotting a nesting leatherback turtle.
Overnight: Camping at Punta Mona

Day 8: Sunday, July 22, 2001 
Our unfortunate "Exile from Eden" will be softened by an early morning boat excursion taking us to view dolphins playing off-shore. As we move from exploring the days of Creation, the remainder of the trip will be spent in the study of more contemporary issues and challenges. As we leave our idyllic setting we'll explore the challenges Adam and Eve faced in leaving the Garden of Eden, and how those challenges may be comparable to the challenges we each face in maintaining our Jewish identity. We spend the day exploring the mangroves of the Gandoca Lagoon by kayak. In the afternoon, tour the organic gardens and learn about the permaculture methods that were used to create them. Then return to town by boat.
Overnight: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Day 9: Monday, July 23, 2001 
Today we focus our attention on the connection to land. We'll look very closely at the connections to land and the differences between the connection the Land of Israel and the land we live on. We'll have an amazing opportunity to parallel our personal experience with the Land of Israel as we travel to meet with indigenous inhabitants of the land. While hiking through the KekoLdi Indigenous Reserve with our native guide, we learn about the culture and customs of the Bribri people. After a two-hour hike through primary rainforest, we'll arrive at the community center and see how the Bribri make everything from crafts to chocolate. A native lunch will be served with all ingredients coming from the rainforest! The afternoon is spent river kayaking at Punta Uva, one of the most beautiful sights in all of Costa Rica where the rainforest practically pours into the sea. As dusk falls we can expect to see numerous birds along the river's edge.
Overnight: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Day 10: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 
As we begin to interact more with the local community we will use the experience to touch on, and examine Jewish themes of hachnasat orchim as well as what it means to be "strangers in strange lands." We will participate in local service projects in the communities of Manzanillo and Puerto Viejo. These may include school beautification projects, community gardening, or a community-wide beach clean-up. Work together with the communities' young people. In the evening prepare for tomorrow's activity.
Overnight: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Day 11: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 
Prepare a day of fun and activities for the community's children. This will be a work in progress throughout the trip to be culminated in a carnival-like event for the young people of the town who rarely are presented with interesting programs in their own town. Having worked to make a bit of difference in a local community we will take some time to explore the teaching of Pirkei Avot which instructs, "lo aleicha hamlacha ligmor," that although it is not our taks to complete the job of repairing the world, we are certainly not exempt from doing our part. From there we leave the Caribbean for the mountain town of Turrialba. On the way we will make a visit to the serpentarium which affords us the rare opportunity to meet and talk with the country's foremost snake expert, a person who exemplifies commitment to beliefs and values.
Overnight: Hotel Turrialtico, Turrialba

Day 12: Thursday, July 26, 2001 
Wake up early and head to the banks of the Pacuare River for an unforgettable day of white water rafting. This most scenic river slices through virgin rainforest and plunges through mountain gorges which drop the most beautiful waterfalls right alongside your raft. As we head into our final Shabbat together we will begin to introduce and explore more deeply issue of Jewish identity and how we will take the lessons of this amazing experience home to our families, friends and communities. We stop on the riverside for an excellent lunch. Then return to the capital city of San Jose.
Overnight: San Jose

Day 13: Friday, July 27, 2001 
In the morning we will shop at some of San Jose's outdoor markets and visit the museums. Later on in the morning we will travel to the Haim Weizman Community Day School to meet members of the San Jose Jewish community. In the evening we will prepare for Shabbat at the local synagogue and later at our hotel. 
Overnight: San Jose

Day 14: Saturday, July 28, 2001 
We will walk together to the synagogue in downtown San Jose to experience the local flavor of prayer service with the local community. The synagogue is a landmark and central meeting point for the community. Services are conducted in Hebrew and follow the Sepharan tradition, a combination of Ahkenaz and Sephardic service traditions. 

At night we will have a unique experience of observing the somber holiday of Tisha B'Av. We will hear the Book of Aicha read at the synagogue and will begin the Fast together with the community.

Day 15: Sunday, July 29, 2001 
The day of Tisha B'Av will be spent in reflection and contemplation of the meaning of the holiday and how those themes intersect with our experience in Costa Rica. Ideas of commitment and identity will be explored through both contemporary and ancient texts. 

At night we will break the Fast with our final meal together. Dinner will be a celebration of our personal and communal journeys through the wonderfully warm and inviting land of Costa Rica. 

Day 16: Monday, July 30, 2001 
Waking early in the morning we will pack up and head out to the airport in San Jose for our flight home, full of wonderful memories, stronger bonds and a greater understanding of our role in the story of Breishit.