Distilling the Feminine
Exploring Archetypes through
Aroma, Plants & Landscape
March 30 - April 5 2020 (6 nights)
With Erika Galentin
Wild Ginger Herbal Center is honored to host clinical herbalist and aromatherapist Erika Galentin of Sovereignty Herbs (Athens & Columbus, OH) for a plant- and aroma-centered healing retreat focused on exploring the archetypes of ‘the Feminine’ through interactions with herbs and aromatic oils, local aromatic and medicinal plants, and the surrounding landscape that nurtures them. This retreat is a celebration of the Feminine and open to all who identify with the Feminine and their allies.
“The Feminine” can be explored as an archetype rather than just an engendered or embodied notion of ‘female’ or ‘woman’. Indeed ‘the feminine’ has many archetypal faces, reflections of which we will be seeking to explore and transform under the guidance of the four elements of Earth (the Feminine in Matter), Water (the Feminine in Feeling), Fire (the Feminine in Action), and Air (the Feminine in Spirit). We will tie our journey together on the final day as we learn the
the ancient alchemical process of aromatic distillation as both a physical and metaphorical platform for journeying with these archetypes of ‘the Feminine. As the plant material is transformed, so will our individual and collective impressions and beliefs, providing an expanded worldview of the Feminine as both a source of power and inspiration and a force of influence on our personal lives and on our communities.
Participants are encouraged to bring a journal for reflection and reflective exercises which will accompany our work together.
More about learning Aromatic Distillation:
Aromatic distillation is the process used to extract essential oils and hydrosols from aromatic plants. Distillation is alchemical in nature; it is a process that relies on the four elements of earth, air, fire, & water for the physical transformation of one form into another. However, alchemists of old considered their work to also be a journey of personal and spiritual self-development, with each stage of the process holding significance. Modern alchemical scholars have interpreted this metaphorically whereby alchemy can also be considered a progression of processes within the psyche. In this interpretation, the 'lead into gold' of the alchemists of old becomes an inspirational allegory for the transformation of our thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and worldviews.
In addition to the ritual and ceremonial experience, participants will also be learning the nuts and bolts of basic aromatic distillation using a copper alembic still. You will receive instructions and handouts about sourcing your own materials as well as information about ‘best practices’ and tricks and tips Erika has learned along her distillation journey.
Participants will be asked to bring with them an object of personal significance which speaks to them of the many faces of ‘the feminine’. This could be a totem, talisman, piece of art, written word, or poetry. These objects will be placed on a distillation altar as a means of creating safe, sacred space for our collective work. They will also be drawn upon in a facilitated discussion of the ‘the Feminine’ as the aromatic distillation is taking place. With these gestures we will seek to not only distill the aroma of the plant itself, but to also distill an essence of “the Feminine” that is inherited by the hydrosol that is produced. At the end of the retreat participants will take a bottle of the distilled aromatic hydrosol home as a captured ‘essence’ of our collective experience that can be used for support, inspiration, and guidance in our daily lives.
Additional Activities:
Visit to local farmer market, jungle hike with local naturalist, visit to local indigenous BriBri traditional chocolate and medicinal plant tour, Afro-Costa Rican medicinal plant walk, Traditional Cooking Class. There will be plenty of time to hang out on the Caribbean Sea, right out front of our outdoor classroom!
Our tours are based out of Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center located directly beachfront of the Caribbean Sea in the village of Punta Uva.
Wild Ginger is located on the south Caribbean side of Costa Rica in a region called Talamanca.
Itinerary
Monday March 30
2:30 PM Group Meets at Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose Costa Rica & Departs for Wild Ginger
(try to get flights arriving no later that 1pm, bring cash in order to get water/refreshments/meal on the way down when the shuttle stops)
8:30 Arrival
Tuesday March 31
8:30 am Breakfast
9:30 - Orientation/Opening
Defining archetype, defining elements and how they relate to exploring the many archetypes of the Feminine with Erika
12:00 pm Group Lunch
2:00 Class: Earth: The Feminine in Matter – to include ‘meeting the plant we are going to harvest and distill – Preparation for the Water element.
6:00 Group Dinner
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day
Wednesday April 1
7:30 - Breakfast
8:00 Indigenous Bri Bri Plant Tour & Chocolate Making & Waterfall Visit
Group Lunch
3:00 Class: Water: The Feminine in Feeling with Erika6:00 Group Dinner
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided this day
Thursday April 2
8:30am Breakfast
9:30 - Bush Medicine of the Caribe Sur Traditional Afro Costa Rican Plant Walk with Alda
12:00 Group Lunch
2:00 Class Fire: The Feminine in Action with Erika
6:00 Group Dinner
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day
Friday April 3
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Class Giving Thanks and Harvesting – Preparation for the Distillation with Erika
12:30 Group Lunch
1:00 Class Air: The Feminine in Spirit - Distilling the Feminine Aromatic Distillation Ceremony and Circle with Erika
FREE EVENING
*Breakfast lunch provided on this day
Saturday April 4
8:00 am Leave to go to Puerto Viejo Farmers Market - Meet Local Farmers, See Local Tropical Produce!
Free Day to Relax and Have Fun, explore Puerto Viejo!
4:30 Despedida Dinner & Traditional Cooking Class with Luba
Sunday April 5
4:30am Group Shuttle Leaves to San Jose Airport (estimated arrival at 9:30 am to airport - we cannot gaurentee road conditions or traffic so cannot be held responsible for missed flights. We recommend booking flights no earlier than 12:30pm that day, again the arrival time is not a guarentee due to circumstances out of our control)
“The Feminine” can be explored as an archetype rather than just an engendered or embodied notion of ‘female’ or ‘woman’. Indeed ‘the feminine’ has many archetypal faces, reflections of which we will be seeking to explore and transform under the guidance of the four elements of Earth (the Feminine in Matter), Water (the Feminine in Feeling), Fire (the Feminine in Action), and Air (the Feminine in Spirit). We will tie our journey together on the final day as we learn the
the ancient alchemical process of aromatic distillation as both a physical and metaphorical platform for journeying with these archetypes of ‘the Feminine. As the plant material is transformed, so will our individual and collective impressions and beliefs, providing an expanded worldview of the Feminine as both a source of power and inspiration and a force of influence on our personal lives and on our communities.
Participants are encouraged to bring a journal for reflection and reflective exercises which will accompany our work together.
More about learning Aromatic Distillation:
Aromatic distillation is the process used to extract essential oils and hydrosols from aromatic plants. Distillation is alchemical in nature; it is a process that relies on the four elements of earth, air, fire, & water for the physical transformation of one form into another. However, alchemists of old considered their work to also be a journey of personal and spiritual self-development, with each stage of the process holding significance. Modern alchemical scholars have interpreted this metaphorically whereby alchemy can also be considered a progression of processes within the psyche. In this interpretation, the 'lead into gold' of the alchemists of old becomes an inspirational allegory for the transformation of our thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and worldviews.
In addition to the ritual and ceremonial experience, participants will also be learning the nuts and bolts of basic aromatic distillation using a copper alembic still. You will receive instructions and handouts about sourcing your own materials as well as information about ‘best practices’ and tricks and tips Erika has learned along her distillation journey.
Participants will be asked to bring with them an object of personal significance which speaks to them of the many faces of ‘the feminine’. This could be a totem, talisman, piece of art, written word, or poetry. These objects will be placed on a distillation altar as a means of creating safe, sacred space for our collective work. They will also be drawn upon in a facilitated discussion of the ‘the Feminine’ as the aromatic distillation is taking place. With these gestures we will seek to not only distill the aroma of the plant itself, but to also distill an essence of “the Feminine” that is inherited by the hydrosol that is produced. At the end of the retreat participants will take a bottle of the distilled aromatic hydrosol home as a captured ‘essence’ of our collective experience that can be used for support, inspiration, and guidance in our daily lives.
Additional Activities:
Visit to local farmer market, jungle hike with local naturalist, visit to local indigenous BriBri traditional chocolate and medicinal plant tour, Afro-Costa Rican medicinal plant walk, Traditional Cooking Class. There will be plenty of time to hang out on the Caribbean Sea, right out front of our outdoor classroom!
Our tours are based out of Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center located directly beachfront of the Caribbean Sea in the village of Punta Uva.
Wild Ginger is located on the south Caribbean side of Costa Rica in a region called Talamanca.
Itinerary
Monday March 30
2:30 PM Group Meets at Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose Costa Rica & Departs for Wild Ginger
(try to get flights arriving no later that 1pm, bring cash in order to get water/refreshments/meal on the way down when the shuttle stops)
8:30 Arrival
Tuesday March 31
8:30 am Breakfast
9:30 - Orientation/Opening
Defining archetype, defining elements and how they relate to exploring the many archetypes of the Feminine with Erika
12:00 pm Group Lunch
2:00 Class: Earth: The Feminine in Matter – to include ‘meeting the plant we are going to harvest and distill – Preparation for the Water element.
6:00 Group Dinner
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day
Wednesday April 1
7:30 - Breakfast
8:00 Indigenous Bri Bri Plant Tour & Chocolate Making & Waterfall Visit
Group Lunch
3:00 Class: Water: The Feminine in Feeling with Erika6:00 Group Dinner
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided this day
Thursday April 2
8:30am Breakfast
9:30 - Bush Medicine of the Caribe Sur Traditional Afro Costa Rican Plant Walk with Alda
12:00 Group Lunch
2:00 Class Fire: The Feminine in Action with Erika
6:00 Group Dinner
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day
Friday April 3
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Class Giving Thanks and Harvesting – Preparation for the Distillation with Erika
12:30 Group Lunch
1:00 Class Air: The Feminine in Spirit - Distilling the Feminine Aromatic Distillation Ceremony and Circle with Erika
FREE EVENING
*Breakfast lunch provided on this day
Saturday April 4
8:00 am Leave to go to Puerto Viejo Farmers Market - Meet Local Farmers, See Local Tropical Produce!
Free Day to Relax and Have Fun, explore Puerto Viejo!
4:30 Despedida Dinner & Traditional Cooking Class with Luba
Sunday April 5
4:30am Group Shuttle Leaves to San Jose Airport (estimated arrival at 9:30 am to airport - we cannot gaurentee road conditions or traffic so cannot be held responsible for missed flights. We recommend booking flights no earlier than 12:30pm that day, again the arrival time is not a guarentee due to circumstances out of our control)

wild_ginger_waiver.pdf |
Cost: $1500
Only 12 spots available! - EMAIL [email protected] in order to register before making payment!
*To register please download the above waiver form, sign and return as attachment via email to [email protected]
(Shared rooms may have 3-4 people in them, you may choose your roomates or if you sign up as a single we will assign your roomate/s)
VERY IMPORTANT - Cost: $1500 per person - may pay using drop down menu above or via Cashapp to $wildgingerherbal
Payment Schedule:
Payment #1 $225 deposit secures your spot (use drop down menu below)
Payment #2 $1000 due on or before January 1 (use drop down menu below)
Payment #3 $275 CASH Paid Upon Arrival in Costa Rica (we require this cash payment and cannot accept this portion online)
*all payments are final, non-refundabe and non-transferableThough our trips tend to fill several months before that time. Once payments are made in full Wild Ginger is unable to issue refunds of any kind because we prepay for the activities/accomadations you receive on the trip and do not receive refunds for said payments. All payments are final, non transferable and non refundable.
What's included In Your Trip!
The price includes your rustic accomadations at Wild Ginger , Costa Rica, each of the classes and tours (and transportation to and from said tours) outlined on the itinerary as well as breakfast each morning. We will include certain lunch and dinners in the trip, please read the itinerary carefully so you know which meals you are responsible for. PRICE DOES NOT include flight to and from Costa Rica.
Supply List (Students Must Bring These for Themselves):
These items are not able to be bought in Costa Rica, we recommend you purchase them before arrival, via Mountain Rose Herbs, SpecialtyBottle.com, Amazon, etc.
Extra old magazines
Spray Bottles
Pair of scissors
How to Pay:
We accept credit card via Paypal (button below) or Cashapp to $wildgingerherbal, check or money orders, please contact [email protected] before making a payment. You will receive a receipt upon payment. To pay by credit card via PayPal please scroll to the bottom of this page!
Please read the Disclaimer:
**All participants must be 18 years of age or older unless with a legal guardian.
** Please note, by registering for this tour you acknowledge Wild Ginger Herbal Center acts only as agents for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Wild Ginger Herbal Center and their respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours / trips arranged by Wild Ginger Herbal Center. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects as well as their personal health insurance policy. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for providing your health insurance or healthcare while on the trip, are not responsible for any flight cancellations or changes to your personal travel itinerary not provided by the trip. The itinerary and schedule are available on www.centroashe.org and the exact activities may change slightly based on weather while on the trip. Occasionally weather can become an issue and we reserve the right to not participate in a certain activity if it is deemed unsafe due to weather (boat ride etc) but we will replace that activity with another of equal value.
Only 12 spots available! - EMAIL [email protected] in order to register before making payment!
*To register please download the above waiver form, sign and return as attachment via email to [email protected]
(Shared rooms may have 3-4 people in them, you may choose your roomates or if you sign up as a single we will assign your roomate/s)
VERY IMPORTANT - Cost: $1500 per person - may pay using drop down menu above or via Cashapp to $wildgingerherbal
Payment Schedule:
Payment #1 $225 deposit secures your spot (use drop down menu below)
Payment #2 $1000 due on or before January 1 (use drop down menu below)
Payment #3 $275 CASH Paid Upon Arrival in Costa Rica (we require this cash payment and cannot accept this portion online)
*all payments are final, non-refundabe and non-transferableThough our trips tend to fill several months before that time. Once payments are made in full Wild Ginger is unable to issue refunds of any kind because we prepay for the activities/accomadations you receive on the trip and do not receive refunds for said payments. All payments are final, non transferable and non refundable.
What's included In Your Trip!
The price includes your rustic accomadations at Wild Ginger , Costa Rica, each of the classes and tours (and transportation to and from said tours) outlined on the itinerary as well as breakfast each morning. We will include certain lunch and dinners in the trip, please read the itinerary carefully so you know which meals you are responsible for. PRICE DOES NOT include flight to and from Costa Rica.
Supply List (Students Must Bring These for Themselves):
These items are not able to be bought in Costa Rica, we recommend you purchase them before arrival, via Mountain Rose Herbs, SpecialtyBottle.com, Amazon, etc.
Extra old magazines
Spray Bottles
Pair of scissors
How to Pay:
We accept credit card via Paypal (button below) or Cashapp to $wildgingerherbal, check or money orders, please contact [email protected] before making a payment. You will receive a receipt upon payment. To pay by credit card via PayPal please scroll to the bottom of this page!
Please read the Disclaimer:
**All participants must be 18 years of age or older unless with a legal guardian.
** Please note, by registering for this tour you acknowledge Wild Ginger Herbal Center acts only as agents for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Wild Ginger Herbal Center and their respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours / trips arranged by Wild Ginger Herbal Center. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects as well as their personal health insurance policy. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for providing your health insurance or healthcare while on the trip, are not responsible for any flight cancellations or changes to your personal travel itinerary not provided by the trip. The itinerary and schedule are available on www.centroashe.org and the exact activities may change slightly based on weather while on the trip. Occasionally weather can become an issue and we reserve the right to not participate in a certain activity if it is deemed unsafe due to weather (boat ride etc) but we will replace that activity with another of equal value.
Accomodations:
Staying onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center our rustic wooden cabina located in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. We live very very simply and rustic, our house has electricity, and is equipped with WIFI internet that will be slower than you are used to if you are from the US. We do not use chemicals to spray our home, thus in the tropics we have little geckos that will be indoors, they're your friends they eat mosquitos! Sometimes there are ants, etc, be prepared to be in community with nature! We provide communal rooms with single beds for our apprentices and guests, bug nets, fans in each room, our bathroom. Great place for relaxing, gorgeous gardens, Our classroom is right onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and our humble site is home to amazing medicinal and edible gardens. You're are one block to the beach and we make sure you have lots of relax and self care time while you are here. We do not provide laundry services on site, however you can pay to do laundry at a couple locations around town during your stay here. Additionally we utilize comparable rooms at a neighboring cabina in order to accomodate our groups beyond our capacity on site at Wild Ginger Herbal Center.
Expectations & Respect:
We expect those that apply for this program to have an true interest and excitement for plant medicine. We ask that everyone show up on time to all classes and activities in order to honor each other as well as our teachers and facilitators. When coming to Wild Ginger Herbal Center openness and respect are central. All people are welcome and we celebrate life in all our beautiful manifestations and forms. We expect people of diverse paths to come here with respect for each other, we have an expectation of non-violent communication when faced with challenges that can arise when living together during intensive communal experiences in new environments. All people of varying class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, sex, sexual orientation and religious, non-religious, or spiritual beliefs are welcome at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and we seek to build a safe community space for all.
Whats Included:
We include our group transportation to and from the Juan Santamaria Airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica, our local ground transport to our activities here during the trip, all food as mentioned above on the itinerary, as well as all programs and activities mentioned above.
Foods:
Our focus is on eating an abundant healthy and whole foods based diet rich in local fruits, veggies, rice, beans, and plantains are central to our diet, and sometimes we get local cheese, meats, yogurt, fish, eggs. While we encourage everyone to participate and share in meals together, we are able to be creative if there is a serious food allergy/food need.
Money:
Make sure to bring enough US Dollars to last you at least the first few days of the trip including stopping for a snack on your way down to us. Do not bring bills larger than $20, and make sure they are not ripped or in poor condition or folks will not accept them. Our town has no ATM, and the closes one is about 12 kilometers away. Everyone accepts US Dollars here, but again in the same town as the ATM there is a money exchange you can exchange your dollars for colones. You should expect at 500 colones to $1 exchange when using USDollars in our area. While we provide your food for all indicated meals during your time with us, and we provide drinking water during our programs, you are responsible for any extras you might need, including snacks etc etc. If you want to buy souveniers/personal care items etc you are responsible for those as well. Our town does have a few small shops "pulperias", two of which accept credit cards.
Call Your Bank!
*MAKE SURE TO CALL YOUR BANKS AND LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE IN COSTA RICA* - This will ensure your card does not get shut off for suspicious activity.
What to Bring:
An open mind, heart, and soul! A true openess and interest in plants and folk medicine, in learning the traditional medicine of the people of Talamanca, Costa Rica. Remember our cabinas at Wild Ginger Herbal Center are rustic and very simple, we try to live as simply and in tune with nature as possible. We do not have air conditioning and we live simply in a way very much like our local community members. Coming on this trip and life in the Caribbean here is an opportunity to go with the flow and enjoy a slower and more simple lifestyle - that is part of the medicine of your time here. Most people when they talk about the rainy season it actually refers to the pacific side, which has a very distinct rainy season, 6 months dry, 6 months wet. We will be on the Caribbean side, and while yes it rains, it is more evenly balanced through out the year. That doesn't mean it won't rain, because it certainly can and probably will. As far as clothes, bring light weight stuff that dries easily, it is HUMID! Bring a good pair of shoes to hike with that you dont mind getting muddy, and flip flops, and whatever else you'd like to have with you. Cotton tshirts and shorts are great, a rain jacket, bathing suit, towel for the beach (please do not bring hotel towels to the beach), are all great. Yoga mat if you'd like. BUG SPRAY is important to your comfort here, thankfully we do not have Zika virus etc in our area, however here in the Caribbean we do indeed have mosquitos. So bring repellent that works well for you! Bring natural bug spray if you're into that because you can't get that down there or whatever type of repellent that is actually effective for you, any personal care items you need we recommend you bring with you. Bring any regular medications/supplements you use. Bring SUNSCREEN! A hat. Sunglasses. As far as a laptop - there is internet in town so you're welcome to bring it, just depends how connected you'd like to be! It's another thing to travel with and to be conscious of while you're on buses etc. But it can be convenient, so that is totally your decision. Outlets there are the same as the US, no converter is needed. Also please remember pens and note pads for note taking. Come prepared with clothing appropriate for tropical heat and tropical rain. Sandals, Sun protection, waterbottle, hats, etc. Bathing suit, towels and sarongs. We provide bath towels but you have to bring your own towel for the beach. A first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight, any prescriptions you need. Boots suitable for getting muddy walking in the jungle or on farms, rain jacket with hood. While many people take this opportunity to "unplug" you may feel like bringing a wifi accesible device to use while onsite. These are your responsibility and while traveling we always recommend traveling without valuable goods, but take good care of what you do decide to bring. Long and short pants, long and short sleeves. Personal care products. We do not have laundry onsite but there are places in the area you may pay to get your clothes washed and cleaned. We cannot stress enough how bringing what you need to protect you from bugs will make your stay more comfortable, the struggle is real with mosquitos, sometimes sand fleas and more. These vary depending on the time of year, but we encourage you to bring protection with you!
Staying onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center our rustic wooden cabina located in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. We live very very simply and rustic, our house has electricity, and is equipped with WIFI internet that will be slower than you are used to if you are from the US. We do not use chemicals to spray our home, thus in the tropics we have little geckos that will be indoors, they're your friends they eat mosquitos! Sometimes there are ants, etc, be prepared to be in community with nature! We provide communal rooms with single beds for our apprentices and guests, bug nets, fans in each room, our bathroom. Great place for relaxing, gorgeous gardens, Our classroom is right onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and our humble site is home to amazing medicinal and edible gardens. You're are one block to the beach and we make sure you have lots of relax and self care time while you are here. We do not provide laundry services on site, however you can pay to do laundry at a couple locations around town during your stay here. Additionally we utilize comparable rooms at a neighboring cabina in order to accomodate our groups beyond our capacity on site at Wild Ginger Herbal Center.
Expectations & Respect:
We expect those that apply for this program to have an true interest and excitement for plant medicine. We ask that everyone show up on time to all classes and activities in order to honor each other as well as our teachers and facilitators. When coming to Wild Ginger Herbal Center openness and respect are central. All people are welcome and we celebrate life in all our beautiful manifestations and forms. We expect people of diverse paths to come here with respect for each other, we have an expectation of non-violent communication when faced with challenges that can arise when living together during intensive communal experiences in new environments. All people of varying class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, sex, sexual orientation and religious, non-religious, or spiritual beliefs are welcome at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and we seek to build a safe community space for all.
Whats Included:
We include our group transportation to and from the Juan Santamaria Airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica, our local ground transport to our activities here during the trip, all food as mentioned above on the itinerary, as well as all programs and activities mentioned above.
Foods:
Our focus is on eating an abundant healthy and whole foods based diet rich in local fruits, veggies, rice, beans, and plantains are central to our diet, and sometimes we get local cheese, meats, yogurt, fish, eggs. While we encourage everyone to participate and share in meals together, we are able to be creative if there is a serious food allergy/food need.
Money:
Make sure to bring enough US Dollars to last you at least the first few days of the trip including stopping for a snack on your way down to us. Do not bring bills larger than $20, and make sure they are not ripped or in poor condition or folks will not accept them. Our town has no ATM, and the closes one is about 12 kilometers away. Everyone accepts US Dollars here, but again in the same town as the ATM there is a money exchange you can exchange your dollars for colones. You should expect at 500 colones to $1 exchange when using USDollars in our area. While we provide your food for all indicated meals during your time with us, and we provide drinking water during our programs, you are responsible for any extras you might need, including snacks etc etc. If you want to buy souveniers/personal care items etc you are responsible for those as well. Our town does have a few small shops "pulperias", two of which accept credit cards.
Call Your Bank!
*MAKE SURE TO CALL YOUR BANKS AND LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE IN COSTA RICA* - This will ensure your card does not get shut off for suspicious activity.
What to Bring:
An open mind, heart, and soul! A true openess and interest in plants and folk medicine, in learning the traditional medicine of the people of Talamanca, Costa Rica. Remember our cabinas at Wild Ginger Herbal Center are rustic and very simple, we try to live as simply and in tune with nature as possible. We do not have air conditioning and we live simply in a way very much like our local community members. Coming on this trip and life in the Caribbean here is an opportunity to go with the flow and enjoy a slower and more simple lifestyle - that is part of the medicine of your time here. Most people when they talk about the rainy season it actually refers to the pacific side, which has a very distinct rainy season, 6 months dry, 6 months wet. We will be on the Caribbean side, and while yes it rains, it is more evenly balanced through out the year. That doesn't mean it won't rain, because it certainly can and probably will. As far as clothes, bring light weight stuff that dries easily, it is HUMID! Bring a good pair of shoes to hike with that you dont mind getting muddy, and flip flops, and whatever else you'd like to have with you. Cotton tshirts and shorts are great, a rain jacket, bathing suit, towel for the beach (please do not bring hotel towels to the beach), are all great. Yoga mat if you'd like. BUG SPRAY is important to your comfort here, thankfully we do not have Zika virus etc in our area, however here in the Caribbean we do indeed have mosquitos. So bring repellent that works well for you! Bring natural bug spray if you're into that because you can't get that down there or whatever type of repellent that is actually effective for you, any personal care items you need we recommend you bring with you. Bring any regular medications/supplements you use. Bring SUNSCREEN! A hat. Sunglasses. As far as a laptop - there is internet in town so you're welcome to bring it, just depends how connected you'd like to be! It's another thing to travel with and to be conscious of while you're on buses etc. But it can be convenient, so that is totally your decision. Outlets there are the same as the US, no converter is needed. Also please remember pens and note pads for note taking. Come prepared with clothing appropriate for tropical heat and tropical rain. Sandals, Sun protection, waterbottle, hats, etc. Bathing suit, towels and sarongs. We provide bath towels but you have to bring your own towel for the beach. A first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight, any prescriptions you need. Boots suitable for getting muddy walking in the jungle or on farms, rain jacket with hood. While many people take this opportunity to "unplug" you may feel like bringing a wifi accesible device to use while onsite. These are your responsibility and while traveling we always recommend traveling without valuable goods, but take good care of what you do decide to bring. Long and short pants, long and short sleeves. Personal care products. We do not have laundry onsite but there are places in the area you may pay to get your clothes washed and cleaned. We cannot stress enough how bringing what you need to protect you from bugs will make your stay more comfortable, the struggle is real with mosquitos, sometimes sand fleas and more. These vary depending on the time of year, but we encourage you to bring protection with you!