| hollandmark.com | Frequently Asked Questions |
(Brought to you in the popular Q&A format)
| Q: Who will be responsible for my behavior and safety? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: The same person who is responsible for it at home. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: If I am injured or killed, can I or my estate take legal action against Steve or Mark? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: No. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: Is there any type of trip insurance available and is the trip endorsed or sponsored by the PATC? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: No. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What if I prefer not to be responsible for my own actions and well being? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Stay home | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: Is it likely that I will be injured or killed? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Not likely, but possible. Participants should clearly understand they are traveling to a very remote part of a Third World country. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: Are there poisonous plants, insects, animals and reptiles there? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Most definitely. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What medical facilities exist? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: In the capital city of San Jose, there are a variety of clinics and hospitals, but keep in mind your US insurance will probably not be accepted. Once outside of San Jose, only very rudimentary medical facilities exist. Once we're in the jungle, you will be between one and two days travel from anything other than the most basic first aid should an emergency arise. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: How can my friends or family contact me? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Perhaps you did not understand the word remote used above . You will be provided the address and phone number of our hotel in San Jose prior to departing the United States. Once outside San Jose, communication will likely be unreliable. While we are in Reserva del Cornelio, outside communication is not possible, however, the names of participants and the location of our destination at Reserva del Cornelio will be registered with the US Embassy in San Jose. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What is the required deposit all about? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Certain trip expenses must be reserved and paid for in advance, e.g. food, hotels, and transportation to and from San Jose and the worksite. A portion will also be used to purchase much needed hand tools for FUNDECOA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: If I screw around and am not in the right place at the right time on March 12, can I catch up with the group or get a refund? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A. Nope. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: I noticed the hotel rooms on March 11 and 17 are listed as double occupancy, can I get a private room? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Yes, at a premium of approximately $30 per night and on a space available basis. Requests will need to be made well in advance, and the premium included with your initial deposit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What will the food be like? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Among other things, a very wholesome and filling variety of rice and beans, typically supplemented with chicken, tuna or beef, fresh fruit and vegetables. Breakfast is usually eggs, sausage, tortillas and coffee. Our FUNDECOA hosts have graciously offered to pack in all the provisions before our arrival and have arranged for a cook to prepare meals for the group. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: Is the water safe to drink? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: This really depends on your constitution. You may get sick from the tap water in town and you may not, but keep in mind it's virtually impossible to isolate yourself completely from everything which may upset your stomach. Immodium or similar over the counter medications are recommended if you are really going to loose sleep over this. The water supply at El Cornelio is from an untreated spring and is used for cooking, drinking, bathing, baptisms, ritualistic sacrifices, and pretty much everything else. You are welcome to bring water purification tablets for your personal drinking water bottles if it makes you happy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What about Alcohol? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Not included in the trip price, but by no means discouraged. The market in Acosta sells a variety of hooch. Keep in mind we'll be gone for several days, and you will have to pack in your beverage of choice, so plan accordingly (i.e. high octane, low volume) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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