Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Blog from Alpha 6 by Sam Broadley

Thursday, 22 October 2009

Blog from Alpha 6 by Sam Broadley

Blogger Sam Broadley

Dear Civilisation

‘Special’ 6, as we are now known, has been pretty busy over the past few days having completely excavated the site for our community centre at El Zacaton, Miraflor. We are currently putting the other Alpha groups to shame with our supreme technique and knowledge by laying cement foundations ahead of schedule and having a whole lot of fun and banter while we´re at it. Our esteemed leader and master of all men, Don Javier, has praised us and left us to continue our work independently for the next few days as we power towards constructing our walls. The families accommodating us in El Zacaton are amazing, generous and happy to laugh in bemusement at our broken groaning sounds after a hard days work. There has already been a treasure chest of moments and quotes from the last few days. Just some of these include watching the amazing sunsets clash with lightning on the horizon every night without fail, and watching our very own Dr. Deep stumble blindly into a foundation hole. Tanne and Ailsa´s obsessive craving for chocolate was relieved this afternoon with the arrival of Field Base staff and most importantly, their mobile tuckshop. Hamish and I were delighted today to find out that ‘The Beast’ (one colossal terrifying behemoth of a pig) in our family´s back garden has been nominated for a forthcoming hog-roast party soon. Gringo Felix is mastering the art of snobby Castellano from Sarah while his roomie "El Otro" - A.K.A Carlos, A.K.A Hardeep - has excelled to become the Don´s apprentice. Emma has had the best seat in the house, cheer-leading for the team and crafting paintings of our gorgeous surroundings, while Aurelia has spent her spare time besotted with the local children and has already learnt all of their names. Matt ‘The Muscle’ "eh" spent his time lifting weights and picking up rocks mere men can only dream of (while acquiring quite the stubble for a potential handle bar). Vicky has successfully applied to be one of the Don´s Angels with her adept shovelling skills and Special 6 has recently begun writing a book of Sammy G´s quotes - including such genius as "we should have built the roof first so we wouldn´t get wet" and "why don´t they just build nice houses for everyone in the village".Our team just wouldn´t be the same without Princess Tara leading us with her heels and fabulous "Raleigh Laws". Last but not least is Guido who has just arrived for work today (lazy) but has already become an integral part of our finely tuned squad. Clearly there has already been countless lessons learned and moments to remember but this is Special 6 signing off to work another day and cherish another plate of rice and beans.

Yours faithfully,

Sammy B, Alpha 6, El Zacaton, Miraflor, 21-10-09

Just the one photo from Alpha 6 for now I'm afraid - Pedro did well to get this sent to us on a very weak internet link from a small town in Nicaragua. This is Sandeep (AKA Dr. Deep) and Hardeep (AKA Hardman) getting a lesson in woodwork from Don Javier.

Sorry for the delay, but we should definitely have photos from all groups within the next few days.

Thanks again for the comments - if you have sent a more personal message on the blog, don't worry it will be delivered...we've just kept it out of the public comments. If there are any comments you would like to be kept confidential just let us know.

9 comments:

Anonymous23 October 2009 at 08:30
Matt the Canuck, Alpha 6 AKA Special 6
Matt the Muscle, eh?
If you are Special 6 does that mean you have the short bus?
We love the blog - keep up the good work all of you. We're off to visit the G'Rents leaving Monty in charge of Jess (I have got that right haven't I?). Take care, LYL, the Crazies.
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Anonymous23 October 2009 at 09:34
Hi Vicky
So you are famous for your shovelling skills - so will save you some work in the garden at home. You're looking really well and look like you are having a great time. Becks has arrived safely in India at the start of her world travels. We're both fine and Abi and Mole are fine too. Luv you lots, have a great time and be safe.
Love M&D
xxxxxxxx
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Anonymous24 October 2009 at 04:16
Hi Tanne,
zelfs daar krijg je je chocolade aangevoerd.....
Goed geregeld, dus! Het klinkt als één groot avontuur. We leven met je mee en kunnen niet wachten op meer info.( heb je trouwens wel genoeg duckt tape bij je???)
liefs, Gurt ( die van DTG advies..)
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Anonymous24 October 2009 at 14:00
Hi Sammy B, good to hear you are having an amazing time as a part of 'special'6. Still can't get over the spiky hair instead of the boy band flick!but hey you're looking good. Going to spend a couple of days with your lovely mother and four gorgeous sisters next week so that will be cool. Anyway stay safe and be happy Big J xxx ps Tim expects you build him a garage when you've finished there!!
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Anonymous25 October 2009 at 09:39
Hi Sammy B. Enjoyed the blog- now we know who to give our next DIY job to! What a great experience! Nana says she's glad you wont be bringing your laundry home. Stay safe and well.Love Grandad&Nana
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Anonymous25 October 2009 at 09:52
Hullo Sammy B!
It's two of your sisters here - although one is more interested in the contents of my desk than what's going on on the screen!
M is wanting to bake a cake and is working crazily, I've been revising until every time I close my eyes I see standard deviation equations and molecular formulas etc, O is growing up fast and F (these are words from her own mouth) is being strange as usual...?
We're missing you lots and think the blog is great!
You better have an eight pack(+) when you get back to show off + prove you worked hard!
Anyways I have to go fulfil my piano duties... hope you're having fun!
M xxxx
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Anonymous25 October 2009 at 11:30
Hey Sammy B!
I'll just leave a wee note as i have to go and fulfil piano + revision duties... and oboe if I get round to it!
Missing you lots; you better have some muscles when you get back to prove you're working hard!
We're all really busy doing our random jobs... and school starts again this week which i can't hide my enthusiasm about. It's in the new building though, so it could be interesting finding the way to new classes!
The blog's great and can't wait till you get back for all the stories you're bound to have. Hope you're having fun.
Such much for a wee note... oh well, not reknowned for being concise!
Lots of love from one of your countless sisters! x
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Anonymous25 October 2009 at 17:21
Hey Sammy B,

Sounds like your having a great time with a bunch of great people! The sunsets & lightning sound spectacular! Keep us updated!

Nick
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Anonymous28 October 2009 at 20:39
Hi Matt.
Sounds like youre having a blast. Matt the muscle EH! what a handle. Went riding with Jessie tonight and she is doing fine all by herself. She is sick of working full time at the store. Had the graduation last Friday at EC. It was really nice and we all missed you there. James mentioned it was not the same without you there, however they did have a picture of you from grade 1 ( you were really cute). James said that you had your naste british teeth in the picture and now you have nice Canadian teeth LOL. Miss you lots and I will get James to send you a note.
take care and take lots of pictures if you can. Oh yes Wayne and I are in Costa Rica on the 7th of November to the 14th. I will have a nice drink for you. Cheer EH! Take Care Connie
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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?”