Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: 09F Triumphs and Tears (of joy!) from the Tremendous Alpha Groups

Sunday, 26 July 2009

09F Triumphs and Tears (of joy!) from the Tremendous Alpha Groups

Alpha 1 will be on the final 10k of their 35k day as I type this. The wide bay of Playa Junquillal will be stretched out before them, beckoning them onwards. Soon they will be enjoying a cooling dip as they celebrate 270k of hardcore trekking!

Alpha 2 have conquered the Maribios Trek! They arrived this morning at Mechapa beach and had incredible views of the mighty Pacific Ocean. The group have covered 270k of the hottest, dustiest and driest terrain in Nicaragua. Congratulations Alpha 2!

Alpha 3 will today be celebrating massive success of the phase 1 water project. So far they have installed water in several houses! To show gratitude and to bid them farewell, the community leaders have organised a huge party in their honour – even the Mayor of Achuapa will be in attendance. Party on Alpha 3!

Alpha 4 are also having a final day of celebrations in their community. Their community centre and museum is halfway completed so the community are throwing them a party and have slaughtered a calf for them. The group will be enjoying some tasty cuts of meat this evening!

Tomorrow its early starts for everyone as they make their way back to Fieldbase...

15 comments:

Nobby & Shirley26 July 2009 at 12:19
Fee,
Well done you and all of Alpha 1. A great achievement.Enyoy the bay of Playa Junquillal.
All love
M xxxx
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Anonymous26 July 2009 at 12:23
Carl,
Congratulations on arriving at Mechapa! Harlequins Rugby League are missing your shouting and have now lost six in a row including the one I went to in Perpignan. Andy got married yesterday and everyone sends their best wishes. Really enjoy hearing how everyone is progressing on the blog. Good luck for the rest of the trip! Love Paul
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Neil Millward26 July 2009 at 12:56
Dear Oli
So pleased to hear that you are thinking of staying on to continue with some further exploration. I was speaking with a client who knows the area well and I will obtain some information from him so that I can pass it on to you next week..I'm very pleased that you're really enjoying yourself and that you've made some good friends...lots of love Dad
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sadie hughes26 July 2009 at 13:52
wELL DONE Alpha 3, Harry i am really proud of you. i spoken to Becky today, asking her if she knows what colour you want your room, she said she hasn't so its up to me. Me and your dad have empitied your room, know our hard work begins.
Love you loads
Mom xxxxxxx
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Anonymous26 July 2009 at 14:14
Carl,
Congratulations to everyone on completing your trek.Bet it was a welcome sight to see the ocean.Hope you're enjoying the beach before heading back to camp.
Andy's wedding went well. Paul is adding more.
Quins having bad time with injuries and are on a 6 match losing run.
Mum and Dad
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Diana26 July 2009 at 18:24
Alex...Laura...All of Alpha 3! What an accomplishment right out of the starting gate!
BRAVO's all round!
Diana
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becky27 July 2009 at 05:23
Harry (Hughes) I got your letters today! I got really excited when the post came , like the big geek that I am. Got them just in time for my holiday! Even though I am going with my 3rd degree burn and i have also added a massive egg and bruise to my head to the equation! Yes I admitt i walked into the door. I'm going to try and get a tan to rival yours (which i doubt) and will try to send you a postcard ( providing i can find a post box) and I will deffo bring you a little something back with me. I will reply to ur letters soon! But i'm glad to hear you and george have settled in well.
I love you more love becky xxx
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Peter27 July 2009 at 16:36
Louise, Well done! You finished the trek across the volcano's. We heard the views were great and we're looking forward to seeing some photo's of Alpha 2. Bet you enjoyed the day on the beach. So that's the holiday over; now down to some hard work? Love Dad xx
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Anonymous28 July 2009 at 09:10
Shane Caffrey
Congratulations on completing phase one, it must be some experience you will be a lot fitter when you get home, take care
Josy Marshall
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Anonymous28 July 2009 at 13:05
Michael,

Got your 1st letter and I guess a lot has happened since then!

Well done all of Alpha 1 on completing your trek, a great achievement and enjoy Playa Junquillal and a wash!

Dad & family
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Anonymous28 July 2009 at 23:30
Morning Lou & Alpha 2, how good was Mechapa? Cannot wait to see any photos. Enjoy the good life back at fieldbase before your next challenge. Mail is on its way. Love M xx
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Anonymous29 July 2009 at 11:33
Hi Matt (Usherwood), Really proud you walked 270km and in such hot conditions. So good to hear your voice when you phoned. We were very excited this end, a bit like bees round a honey pot when the phone rang. We all wanted to hear you. The trek sounded awsome, can't wait to hear all about it and see the panaramic photos. Take care of yourself. Love you lots. Mum xxx
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Anonymous30 July 2009 at 01:51
Phil (Maund), I hope the skit whent well last night. It was really nice to hear your voice and be able to talk to you. I hope it didn't cost you too much...

All my love,
Sonia xxx

P.S. I think we should just double check I gave you the right address so here it is:
21 Avenue Du Général Dubail
Saint Germain-en-Laye
78100
FRANCE
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Paul C.K. Lo30 July 2009 at 10:22
Mastah So King Chi and all of Alpha 3, kudos to all of you. Your tears and sweat will be remembered by the community. Keep the good work going!!!
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Anonymous30 July 2009 at 14:28
Congrats to Alpha 4 - nice one!!
All ok her Ado - Ben says woof. Torential rain here this last week - better weather with you I think. Dad et al just back in the UK from France tonight. TC coming back on a trailer from Portsmouth on Sat. Good luck with the trek.
Ros. xx
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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?”