X-ray 1 and 5 updates

X-ray 5 update by Cat Spence

X-ray 5 have been living in the rural village of El Cacao for almost a week now. We´ve settled in well and are getting used to village life. Waking up to the sound of cockrels at 4 am, washing in a natural spring and eating rice and beans three times a day have become the norm.

The water project is progressing really well. We have already dug about 800m of trench (which the water pipes will lie in) running from the natural spring at the source of the gravity feed water system and down through the village. The spring at the source has also been cleaned out, filled with rocks, which act as a filter, and covered with cement (and our handprints as you can see below)! We have had loads of support from the local community which is why we are progressing so rapidly.

The community have been incredibly welcoming and we have enjoyed playing with the children and giving English lessons both in the local school and to our families. On Sunday, the villagers hosted a PiÑata party, complete with classic games such as pin the tail on the donkey. Last night, Brigido, the president of the Co-operative which we are working with, entertained us with his guitar, playing some traditional Nicaraguan songs. In return we attempted to sing them some beatles and Oasis and Ashely even sang a Frank Sinatra solo!

So all in all we are having a great time, getting stuck into the work and are really starting to feel at home here.

Until next time, adios!

X-ray 5 showing off their guns at the worksite

Making sure Raleigh are never forgotten in El Cacao

The group behind their new water feed system

Christine helping foreman Chico to put the pipes down

Benita leaving her mark

X-ray 1, or X-ray Guns as they have renamed themselves, are doing fantastically well on the Maribios trek. It has been tough going as the team have had to battle with the blazing Nicaraguan heat, heavy backpacks and sore feet. However, not to be defeated, the Guns have overcome these challeneges and are making excellent progress. The Nicaraguan chicas of the group Reina and Margarita are thrilled to be back in their country , discovering places they had never been to before, and Simon is doing a brilliant job as a translator, helping the girls to communicate with the rest of the group, and also getting directions from the locals to check that the group were on track. On Friday, the group recieved a visit from the fieldbase crew (Raquel, Ross, Turab, David and me), and together we climbed the beautiful Volocano Casita. The group were in excellent spirits, particularly as for once they were able to leave behind their heavy backpacks and concentrate on enjoying the stunning views. Everybody agreed that taking in the views of Volcano San Cristobal and it´s surroundings from the top of Casita was a definate highlight of the trip!

The group take in the views of San Cristobal.....

...and of the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Making light work of the climb

Simon showing us where the guns got their name from!