Trip Information and Pre-travel thoughts

It's just a few short days until I wake up bright and early to catch a plane to go to Costa Rica. So, it's time to run over my trip schedule and to get packed! For those of you interested, here is my general itinerary for the 9 days I will be on this trip:

1. April 14
1. Fly to San Jose & spend the night there. Travel time: 6 hours apprx
2. April 15
1. Travel to Tortugero
2. learn about sea turtle conservation
3. travel canals by boat
4. night hike/walk
5. spend night in Tortugero
3. April 16
1. similar to the day before, spend time in Tortugero
4. April 17
1. Travel to Arenal Region via Sarapiqui
2. Visit Earth University
3. visit volcano, hot springs, and go on a zip line! 
5. April 18
1. similar to previous day, spend time in Arenal Region
6. April 19
1. travel back to San Jose
2. visit coffee plantation
3. spend night in San Jose
7. April 20
1. San Jose Earth Summit
8. April 21
1. San Jose Earth Summit
9. April 22
1. Travel home (reach Dulles at 11pm on Monday) 

So what is this all-important Earth Summit that's being held in San Jose? Well, it's split into two days. On the first day, the focus is on "understanding the issues". The general itinerary for day one will be:

• Oscar Arias Q&A: policies and impact in Costa Rica
•  Costa Rica's plans to be carbon neutral by 2021
• Day 1 explained
• Lunch
• Al Gore Q&A
• Sessions: student led/ expert led workshops
• Dinner and optional activities
• documentary screening? (no, I have no idea what that means either.)

Day two's focus of this summit differs slightly by having the focus be on "taking action together". the general itinerary for that day is as follows:

• Light up the world presentation
• a foundation focused on bringing solar energy to communities living off of the grid. 
•  day 2 explained
• break out sessions(same as before)  
• lunch
• innovation villiage
• present ideas and what you've worked on 
• Severn Cullis- Suzuki Q&A
• farewell dinner and party

 Well, that's that. I don't know many details just yet, but I'm sure I'll have a million things to report on come Sunday.
Buenos tardes, mis amigos! (side note- my spanish is HORRIBLE and I'm sure you'll get a taste of it on this trip. My apologies in advance.)