Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Latest news from X-ray 3

Friday, 20 November 2009

Latest news from X-ray 3

The fieldbase team dropped in to see how x-ray 3 were doing in the jungle, and we found the group loving their jungle experience. They have done some maintenance on their basher beds and hammocks to ensure a dry night's sleep, and have created their own entertainment,making a Risk board which has been dominated by the boys of the group. The group are also enjoying their daily swim in the river, while Sheila is thrilled to have found her own private waterfall shower. Work is going really well, and the team proudly showed us the finished mirador and path. Having finished the work so quickly, they have had time to create a Raleigh garden next to the path, designed by resident artist Sam, and including a sculpture made out of the scrap metal they found when clearing the path. Tomorrow the team will be leaving the jungle and heading to beach where they will enjoy two relaxing days on the pacific coast before heading back to fieldbase.

X-ray 3 hard at work

The finished path

The team showing off the completed mirador

Enjoying the views

On our visit to the jungle, we also got the chance to admire the mosaic created by resident artist Becca during the last phase. The rangers were thrilled with their new artwork and have proudly displayed it at the top of the Raleigh path. Becca's artistic skills are currently being put to good use up in Miraflor, Nicaragua, where she is currently painting a mural on the walls of the community centre (pictures coming soon...).

Becca's fantastic mosaic

9 comments:

Cath Pitman20 November 2009 at 11:25
Hey Matt the Canuck (X-ray 3), How soon can we come and walk along the Raleigh trail and enjoy the fruits of your labours? We remain very impressed by the hard work and commitment you are all showing. Keep up the good work and then enjoy the R&R on the beach. Me jealous? You bet :) :) Love from The crazies oxo
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Anonymous20 November 2009 at 13:13
Message for Vicky Walden
Hi Vicks. Love the pix of your path. Your viewing platform thing looks great too. Very smart.
Very amused by the pix of all your bums. And talk of cheese.
You look like you are having a really good time and look well.
We'll send you an email.
Keep well and be happy.
Muz and Hag and Abi, whose nose is almost on the keyboard as I write with just a hint of dog slobber. Lots of love.
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Walter Family20 November 2009 at 14:27
For Sam W (x-ray 3)
Hi Sammy - Glad to see you've exchanged your woollen beanie for a bandana - it must have been minging!! Very impressive building skills - we would expect nothing less!!! We're counting down the days now and we'll be having roast beef & yorkshire the sunday you are home so start salivating!!!

Love you and miss you loads
Mum, Dad & Shannon xxxxx

P.S. Dont forget to get in touch before you leave re your flight no and arrival. Our info has you arriving 7.00ish am saturday 28th.
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Robert Walter20 November 2009 at 16:33
Message for Sam Walter X-ray 3
Hi Sam, great to see and hear what you've been up to and what looks like a job well done. Pacific coast sounds like a bit of a chore! Try and enjoy yourself!! Sure you've all earnt it.
Get in touch when you can.... looking forward to it.
Keep well, have fun and love you loads.
Dad xx
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terry walsh21 November 2009 at 04:29
You r all working hard, and creating a lasting legacy of your stay. love the special waterfall. Sure u r grateful for it after a day's work love u all and lots of xxxxxx especially Gigi
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Anonymous22 November 2009 at 05:11
To Oliver Thomas X-ray 3 from Nanny and Poppa

Hi Oliver!

Greetings from Gatewood ! Jo e-mailed the super photos of you and the group. You look every bit The Intrepid Explorer' - but so happy. We are thrilled for you.

Wall-to-wall rugby this week-end. Wales saw off Argentina - Shane Williams running like a hare - scored twice 33-16 to Wales. The English showed more spirit against the All Blacks but lost 16-9. The show match was Scotland leading Australia 9-3 at 80 minutes only for them to score just after, but Giteau missed to convert and they were beaten 9-8. First time for 27 years!

Wicked weather here at the moment. Heavy rain and floods-but all safe and well. Looking forward to seeing you at Christmas- not long now.
Love. Nanny and Poppa
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O'Connor Family22 November 2009 at 16:23
Dear Ian (xray 3)

Great work in the park. We're very proud of you. Enjoy your upcoming walk about. Keep on trekking....

Love, Mom and Dad
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Anonymous23 November 2009 at 11:00
Message for Matthew Nash..
So why aren't you in the pics?
I now woz'd you in bed somewhere with some exotic disease..
Please tell me you ok? No more scorpions surely?
Path looks fab - better than those on walks with Fee! Well done to all. What a fantastic legacy of your time in the jungle. You should all be very proud.
Mum xx
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Anonymous24 November 2009 at 15:53
Message for Oliver Thomas

Hey Oliver!!

glad to see that you are having such an amazing time, such a great experience and a large eye openner!! hope you are coping with the heat and haven't totally disappeared, bet you are super fit now!! Missing you so much but it looks amazing.

All is well in Reading, having so much fun in second year although very very busy! Can't wait to have you back for christmas, it will be here in no time! Everyone is amazed where you are..lots of old hockey boys came up and liam misses you terribly.

Love you lots and keep having fun! hopefully speak very soon.

P xxx
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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?”