Ode to the Costa Rica Caribbean Experience

The August 2012 Jewish group - near Finca Rio Perla!

Last week I returned from Costa Rica after leading an amazing group of 17 people from around the world! We had a great time together for 10 days, as I got to know the group and introduce them to some of my favorite Costa Rica spots. This was more then just a group tour, as during our time in Costa Rica we formed a spacial community. In a trip like this, we all go through many fun and challenging experiences, and so many friendships begin, often continuing past the flight home.

I wanted to share with you a poem by Manny, one of the participants that not only made up nicknames to everyone on the trip, but was often the heart of the party. On our first Friday, most of us were tired from traveling to San Jose, but it was Manny who organized a late night run to the liquor store and an ad-hock toast in one of our suites.

Without further ado, I present the poem he wrote about what makes our trips so special - the people.

Ami

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Ode to the Costa Rica Caribbean Experience

- By Manny Kursan, attendee of the August 2012 trip

Ami, Ami, he's our man
he can do what no man can

from DC, London even Milan
Tee Oh, New York and also from Van

Our group was awesome, yes that's true, sing along now, we might find you....

Mikalah from Milano is our scuba Man
Bonjorno, Pronto but we kept him on the land 

Bernie from New York, man that accents strong"I.T." is his field and there he cant go wrong

Rambo was Evan, so big & strong
Pool is his game, 'coz his reach is so long
If its land you need or space to rent - He's yr man you'll think he's G-d sent

Jeff is in law, the Feds won out
JDog is smart and always on the lookout

Our Doc is Josh, like Magnum "GI"
Ethical and straight, always looks you in the eye!
To help you out  its a look at the bum - and from that there is nowhere you can run

Beth so lovely she looked through her lensWith talent like that, you'll always have

friends Raha & Donna, a friendship strong & true
the Hipsters always looked cool just for you
Friendly & fast, always ready for fun
they always seemed to be , just like one.

 Matt our CA, now a Walmart man
Intelligent and smart, you know where you stand

By his side, lovely Samara we find
an educator she is, Shomrei is where she draws the line

Also a CA, Cor Blimey we might find,
I'm Joel from England if you don't mind
Up for anything, always a ready smile  a quick wit too, his camera on the farm he would find

Lindsay is special, to me at least
You may have noticed I played with her feet
Analyse and calibrate, its the data you see its what they want, to really know me
On the tour never thought , we would meet
My chances may be better if now I stay discrete

Around Congress he works, there he does lobby with a camera like that, its not just a hobby - Ari our Lion man, he moves and shakes - a difference to all of us, is what he makes 

Jenn is our teacher, from outside New York
Thank heaven for us, its Spanish she can talk
Many a time she helped us out
Whenever in trouble, her name we would shout

Ellen or Sugar Pie, a Supervisor in  "I.T." A really lovely woman, all can see
To hang out & party , we all understood - which is why she always looked so damn "GOOOOD" 

Elana from New York, Hampton was her name
Guiding and educating small youth is her game
Seeking to find something true and real - she's sweet and kind which is what we all feel

Our thanks go to Ami , so knowledgeable and true, without his vision, we wouldn't know you.

Matt our CA, now a Walmart man
Intelligent and smart, you know where you stand

By his side, lovely Samara we find
an educator she is, Shomrei is where she draws the line

Also a CA, Cor Blimey we might find,
I'm Joel from England if you don't mind
Up for anything, always a ready smile  a quick wit too, his camera on the farm he would find

Lindsay is special, to me at least
You may have noticed I played with her feet
Analyse and calibrate, its the data you see its what they want, to really know me
On the tour never thought , we would meet
My chances may be better if now I stay discrete

Around Congress he works, there he does lobby with a camera like that, its not just a hobby - Ari our Lion man, he moves and shakesa difference to all of us, is what he makes

Jenn is our teacher, from outside New York
Thank heaven for us, its Spanish she can talk
Many a time she helped us out
Whenever in trouble, her name we would shout

Ellen or Sugar Pie, a Supervisor in  "I.T." A really lovely woman, all can see
To hang out & party , we all understood - which is why she always looked so damn "GOOOOD" 

Elana from New York, Hampton was her name
Guiding and educating small youth is her game
Seeking to find something true and real - she's sweet and kind which is what we all feel

Our thanks go to Ami , so knowledgeable and true, without his vision, we wouldn't know you.