Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Alpha 2 - I want to be a Macho Trekker!

Monday, 2 March 2009

Alpha 2 - I want to be a Macho Trekker!

Thanks Anna for such a fabulous blog yesterday! We had a brilliant time visiting Alpha 2 in Taus, it’s only about an hours drive away from Fieldbase and it was a stunning drive down to meet them. We met them at the community centre there after a full day’s walking.

Group spirits were high and Catherine, Isaac and Vee, yesterday’s cooks, had prepared a feast of veggie mash, pork and beans, and pasta for dinner – yum! Later on in the evening we were treated to some of Adam’s magic tricks (he had a seriously good one that no-one could figure out!) and some of Floor’s hot chocolate.

This morning we saw them off about 6am as they head towards xxx, on what will be a challenging day through the jungle.

As promised yesterday, we have lots of photos ready so you can see how they’re getting on and all the amazing places they’ve trekked so far…

Heading off into one of the beautiful Cloud Forests the Macho trek has to offer

Snacks are definetly a must on trek - nuts and raisins, granola bars and the Costa Rican equivalent of custard creams - Cremas! These guys need to eat around 3000 calories per day to keep their energy levels high

Welcome to the jungle, Emma and Isaac deep in the stunning Barbilla National Park

Seasoned trekkers after just 4 days - Verity,Catherine, Rose and Adam stride it out on the flat while below Isaac leads the way, with Emma and Julie close on his heels

Sorting out the food drop in the Taus
Community Centre

Catherine shows off new air conditioned

T-Shirt courtesy of her fire drying efforts

Chill time in the evenings - one of the nicest things about trek

Emma, Will, Rose, Adam and Isaac put their chess skills to the test

Mapping their progress - Nick leads Alpha 2 through the route so far

The wonderful Dutch - Julie, Flo and Dirk

15 comments:

Anonymous2 March 2009 at 14:33
To Dirk van Wassenaer

Wat leuk om je op een foto te zien! Ik werd gelijk vrolijk. Je bent bijna jarig en ik mis je enorm.. Ik hoop dat je het naar je zin hebt en het goed met je gaat. Doe voorzichtig en I love you. XXX Tessa
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Anonymous2 March 2009 at 15:02
Yay! Fantastic - big pictures, and captions, too! Thanks, FB team - you're the best!
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Anonymous2 March 2009 at 16:21
Hi Jackie, Alpha 7,
I have just spoken to Vikki,she has had a busy day, she delivered two babies, not hers, someone else's! It has been a beautiful sunny spring day today, however, the forecast for the rest of the week is not good, snow is expected in some parts of the Country! Hope you are all well and still enjoying yourselves. Gloria and Bob send their love as always. Love you loads and loads. Mum and Dad. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Anonymous3 March 2009 at 02:15
Hi Grace F, Alpha 5.
Just a quick note to send our love and wish you and the group well on your project. Not much info on the blog yet about your group but sure that will change in the next few days.We were glad to hear about the Basketball Ring !!
Mum is sorry she didn't get to speak to you last week but has sent an email and letter.
All is well here and look forward to hearing from you again.
Lots of Love,
Mum, Dad + Dud
XXX
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Anonymous3 March 2009 at 02:17
Juul, leuk dat je nog op een plaatje van Alpha 2 staat. De foto's geven een leuk beeld.
Sterkte met je ingepakte been. Maak er het beste van. Pura Vida! liefs pap
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Anonymous3 March 2009 at 02:56
Thanks for the lovely photos Field Base! Great to see Isaac and the rest of Alpha 2 looking so well and happy. Keep up the good spirits!
Mum
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Anonymous3 March 2009 at 05:21
ALPHA 9
Darling Huhu, hope you are enjoying your new environment, I know "enjoyment" is a big word for now, but the enjoyment will come when you see the locals' happy smiles with what you have all done. I have a little surprise for you now: I am taking Hugo, Granny and Ayi back to London this Sunday (8 March). There is a combination of reasons for the change of plan. Probably we will all stay there until the end of June. I do hope that you can now take the time to pass your driving test. Anyway, I cannot wait collecting you at airport, maybe Hugo will be there too. It is totally unfair that he always mumbles (quitely clearly) Gege while looking straight into my face. Now we are all in London, do you want to plan some skiing trip with friends? I will also write to all the unis to change your address. Love you, Mum xxx
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Anonymous3 March 2009 at 07:10
Hi Jackie, Alpha 7.

Laura telephoned us from Australia this morning. It was lovely to have a chat. We talked about you and what you are doing; everyone is proud of you. Laura is thoroughly enjoying her course and particularly the practical side. She sounded very relaxed and they are both enjoying themselves, which is good.She has been working very hard and hasn't had a chance to catch up with the recent blogs, but plans to do so soon.She plans to record on DVD the soap episode she was in, which will be aired in April and send it to us. There is a wintery feel in the air today and it is overcast, forecast for tomorrow is not good. Never mind, we hope your weather is good. We wish all the Alpha groups well and hope the rest of their time in this phase goes according to plan. Love you loads and loads. Mum and Dad. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Anonymous3 March 2009 at 10:40
Hi Thomas D at Alpha 5. Just received your letter it was great to hear from you. Heard this morning about your leg - what a nuisance. Glad to hear you are back with the others now, but please remember that resting it is really important until it is better! We are seeing Charlotte this weekend. Love reading all the news on the blog and seeing all the beautiful blue skies. We are all thinking of you, take care lots of love Mum, Dad, Charlotte and T xxxxx
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Anonymous3 March 2009 at 10:47
Hi Bliss

Hope you're enjoying phase two. Haven't heard much about Alpha Seven-sigh! Weather here is rainy and grey. Longing to hear news about Alpha seven and see photos- hope they will come soon. Amber is off school today with earache and cold. Made brownies with her today- I will make you brownies everday for you when you come home. Okay ,not everyday- I lie!! Think of all the yummy food you'll be able to demand- I mean request!Seems strange not hearing from you-miss your voice and our chats.Hope you'll be getting the packages soon. We are all fine apart from me who is pining for you-lol!! Must say though Bliss my bank account has never looked so healthy-just kidding-not!!

Really hope we'll get some pics soon-keeps me going seeing you on them. Don't dodge the camera Bliss - I love to see you in the photos.

Sending all my love and {{hugs}}
Love you lots,miss you loads and think of you everyday my darling.
Mum xxx
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Invierno Funk3 March 2009 at 17:12
For Isaac.

Hola Isaac, soy tu primo Gerardo desde México. Sigue pasándola muy bien... esta muy interesante la aventura.

Un abrazo, espero que estes muy bien.
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Anonymous4 March 2009 at 05:37
To Caroline Borstlap, Alpha 7. Hey lieve Lientje! Kreeg net je leuke brief mèt bloemetje(zal gauw n beetje water geven,haha) en genoot van al je verhalen, zo gaaf om te lezen wat je allemaal meemaakt! K ga nu eindelijk beginnen aan n "echte" brief voor je, kijk er maar vast naar uit!Lees op de blog dat jullie fantastisch werk leveren in het dorpje, super!!! Lieverd, hou je goed, ik denk heeeel veel aan jou en reis in gedachte met je mee! Hele dikke kus, love you lief kuikentje!!! XXX Mama Kip
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Anonymous6 March 2009 at 13:32
Dear Emma,

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY!

So sorry I missed your call and hope you got a message back that we all wish you a very happy day and love you lots. Sounds like you had a very exciting start to it with an early morning climb to a beautiful peak. What a great thing to do!

Hope the trek is going well - the pictures look amazing and hope it is not too gruelling.

We are all fine although Daddy is still very busy. I am in Salcombe sorting out some things to do with the kitchen and staying with Malcolm and Sue for a couple of days. They send their love too. The new kitchen / sitting area is going to look fantastic when it is done which will hopefully be by the beginning of May.

Take care my sweet and hope we can talk soon. Enjoy the rest of your birthday and the trek.

Lots and lots of love from all of us,

Mummy, Daddy and the kids. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Anonymous8 March 2009 at 03:56
Lieve Floortje, wat een coole tijd hebben jullie daar! Leuk om te volgen wat je allemaal doet. Geniet ervan, wij zijn jaloers! Veel liefs, de Van Hartingsveldjes
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Anonymous22 March 2009 at 16:02
To Caroline Borstlap Alpha 6. Hi lief Carootje, zit je al op t strand? Super voor je dat je daar naar toe kon, wilde je zo graag he? Hier alles ok!Coco en Hidde hebben het 1e nachtje in t nieuwe huis geslapen! Pap heeft zo hard gewerkt en t ziet er allemaal fantastisch uit!Verheug je maar vast!Je krijgt n dikke kus van Noor en Rene waar ik net gezellig mee gegeten heb!HEbben n heerlijk zonnig weekend achter de rug (eindelijk!)en t zonnetje in mn hart scheen nog harder omdat je bijna weer terug komt!!! Lieverd, geniet van deze laatste uitdaging en lief zijn voor de turtles!! Hele dikke kus, Mammake, Love you!!!XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Raleigh Lingo

Copy that?

Sometimes our Raleigh technical terms can be a tad confusing so we've put together a glossary for you blog followers. This will appear as a quick-reference section on the right-hand column so you can translate our Tico-terms into something a bit more palatable. And for those keen to brush up their Central American Spanish, we've included some handy translations. Here's a few to get you started...

Alpha, X-Ray and Zulu groups
(Grupos Alfa, X-Ray y Zulu)
The official name for project groups during the phases of CR&N 13A. Alpha will be out on project from 3rd to 23rd February, X-Ray from 24th February to 15th March and Zulu from 17th March to 5th April. Project groups are allocated during induction

Basha
Jungle ‘bed’: consists of a tarpaulin for shelter, a hammock and mosquito net. A basha is hung up between two trees and supported by rope, bamboo and canvas straps

Bodega
A Spanish word meaning store or warehouse

Bravo
A term of endearment for our hard-working Land Rovers. The four vehicles are officially, and imaginatively named Bravo One, Two, Three and Four

C.A.T.I.E.
The agricultural and development research institute on whose campus Fieldbase is situated. Find out more at http://www.catie.ac.cr/

Changeover (Cambio de Fase)
Two day period where all staff and Venturers return from their project sites for some respite before they are all reallocated and sent off to do it all over again...

Chicas, Chicos
Spanish term meaning girls (chicas) or guys (chicos) or both (chicos aswell). As in “Vamonos chicos!” or “Let’s go guys!”

Craic
A way to gauge how people are feeling, usually measured from 0 to 90. If your ‘craic’ is high, you’re pretty happy. If you announce a low craic, people will probably fix you up with an energy bomb and a nice big hug

CR&N 13A
Costa Rica and Nicaragua expeditions 13A

Day Leader (DL) (Líder del día)
Every day on project, one of the Team is designated DL – they are in charge of the day, including organising the day’s briefing, keeping group morale up, dealing with any problems, sticking to schedule and de-briefing at the end of the day. The DL role rotates round the whole group so everyone takes a turn

Energizer (Actividad Levanta Muertos)
An activity to gather the group together and raise energy levels. Can be used at the beginning of the day, or whenever a quick pick-me-up is required

Energy bombs (Explosión de azucar)
A trekking treat – mix together oats, raisins, condensed milk and chocolate powder and roll into little balls of gooey goodness to power you through the day

Fieldbase (FB) (Campo Base)
Refers to the Raleigh ‘office residence’ which is where the Fieldbase staff eat, sleep and work, whilst organising the expedition, manning the radios round the clock, supporting the projects, planning transport and logistics, keeping tabs on the finances and much, much more

Field Base Volunteer Managers (Equipo Logístico Voluntario del Campo Base)
Volunteer support staff for the expedition. The team looks after the ‘behind the scenes’ of the expedition and ensures everything runs smoothly. This consists of three permanent staff members - the Country Director, Country Project Manager and Country Expedition Manager - plus a team of volunteer staff including the, Medic, Photographer, Administrator, Finance Officer, three Logistics (logs) team members and the Communications Officer

Gallo Pinto
A traditional Costa Rican dish of rice and beans (yum!)

Icebreaker (Rompe Hielos)
A getting-to-know-you game

Longdrop (Letrina)
The camp loo. Literally a deep hole in the ground, it is one of the first tasks to complete when setting up jungle camp for obvious reasons! Short drops are similar, normally used for overnight stops when a shallower trench will suffice

Longs (Pantalones)
From 6pm onwards, we all don long trousers and sleeves to discourage the bugs that aren’t deterred by DEET

Maxis
Short for Maxi Pali, the stock-everything shop about a kilometer from Fieldbase where you can buy all those things you forgot/ran out of/lost

Nicas
An affectionate term referring to the native population of Nicaragua

Ninja
A popular game/energizer used by venturers and Project managers alike. Everyone stands in a circle and tries to hit the team members either side of them on the hand via a single ninja movements. Sound effects welcome

POPS
Legendary milkshake and ice-cream parlour chain found all over Costa Rica – perfect for a sweet splurge

Pork and beans (Frijoles con cerdo)
Another staple foodstuff for trekkers: tinned beans with a slightly sausage twang, served cold for lunch. Usually accompanied by dry cracker dust, sprinkled liberally on to the top. If you’re in a hurry, this can be consumed without cutlery straight from the can

Project Managers (PMs) (Guías)
Project staff for the expedition. Each of the groups has at least two PMs who work with the Venturers to develop skills, lead projects and challenge themselves

PURA VIDA!
A very special Costa Rican phrase that means hello, goodbye, I’m great, it’s good, pure life, basically any positive, feel-good thing can be Pura vida!

Radio check (Chequeo de Radio)
As well as a daily SITREP, all Alpha projects are required to complete a second radio call-in each day to check in, receive messages and report any developments

Review (Revisión)
A round-up that assesses how everyone feels, what went well and what needs work. This is sometimes an ‘activity’, sometimes a chat around the campfire, or sometimes just a bit of time to reflect. It’s an important part of everyone’s personal development so we make sure it happens every day

Roadtrip (Paseo Volando Rueda)
The logistics team and some of the Field Base team drive the Bravos on a loop round to each of the accessible project sites once per phase. They deliver kit, supplies, site visitors, messages from the blog and of course the all important post

Ropa Americana
Purveyors of the finest second hand American threads. Perfect for fancy dress/obtaining that long coveted college sports jersey

SITREP (Reporte de la Situación)
Literally Situation Report. A special radio message sent from the satellite project sites back to fieldbase once a day. It follows a certain format and includes all sort of handy information like where they are, what they’ve been up to, what they need and what they’re planning to do next

Tang
A fruity powder that is used to make squash. Jolly useful for taking away the chlorine taste of purified water

Ticos
An affectionate term referring to the native population of Costa Rica

Trangia (Mini Cocina)
A portable cooking stove. Used primarily for trekking, a trangia’s compact design makes it perfect for easy transportation. Literal translation in spanish - mini kitchen. Makes sense

Turrialba
The location of Fieldbase

Venturers (Aventureros)
Participants in the Raleigh expedition. Aged 17 to 24, they come in three varieties: Host Country Venturers (from Costa Rica and Nicaragua), Partnership Venturers (positive young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK who participate in Raleigh expeditions as part of a longer term development programme) and UK and International Fundraising Participants (who work hard to raise money to contribute towards the charities work and expenses in order to take part in the expedition)

Wash up (Revisión Final)
The last few days of expedition, spent debriefing, returning equipment, performing skits, and most importantly enjoying the farewell party (tears alert)

Zero (Cero)
A radio term that identifies the radio controller at Fieldbase. Fieldbase monitors the radios 24-7, listening out on three frequencies for calls from our satellite project sites. When the radio alarm sounds, we might answer something like this: “Hello unknown call sign, hello unknown call sign, this is Zero, this is zero, do you copy, OVER?”