Shas Kena! Greetings from Zulu 6 and the indigeneous village of Yorkin. The phase began with an adventurous journey on dug out canoes – which we all found a bit wobbly! However, the amazing scenery and the fact that Panama was literally arms length away made up for it!
Upon arrival, the venturers received the warmest welcome imaginable from the villagers, with delicious lunch of rice, chicken, squash and plaintains – Que rica! The village itself is an interesting blend of traditional and modern culture – with intricate thatched roofs and solar powered lights. The matriarchical women of the village gave us a welcome talk where they emphasised how much they valued our help and that they considered Raleigh to be new friends. The Venturers have been made to feel at home by the community, staying in a comfortable ecotourism lodge, a breath away from Panama. There is even a make shift bridge connecting the two, which won Guy’s approval (he’s a Chartered Bridge Engineer)!! As far as work goes we have cracked on with a new ‘Sendero’ in the village leading to the bridge. Great progress has been made already. We also plan to construct a new bathroom, as the previous one Raleigh built was washed away by flash floods last year. The community also have some fantastic activities planned such as a day trip to a waterfall in Panama (no border crossing required when you are in the middle of the jungle!), cultural exchanges such as craft lessons, bow and arrow making and just to make y’all jealous, chocolate making (Be wö Béshewa tsuru – That’s I like chocolate in Bri Bri in case you’re wondering!)
There has also been a sly porridge making competition. Laura and Gigi set the bar ridiculously high, blowing everyone’s socks off! Guy and Kier naturally retaliated by soaking the oats overnight, “I’m taking over the world via porridge making!” exclaimed Guy.
The Venturers couldn’t be happier and are truly awestruck in this fantastic community – ‘This is Zlue 6, Out.’
Gigi Walsh & Christine Harry
Welcome to the official blog for Expedition 13A. We'll be keeping you posted on all the happenings of life on expedition from 10th January to 11th April. Check back and please send us your comments, it's free and easy. ¡Pura vida!
For Laura McDonald. Wonderful report of your time in Yorkin on the blog today. It all sounds like an unforgettable experience. Glad to hear that your porridge making prowess has won acclaim from the group! The weather here has been absolutely dreadful, cold, wet and windy. Yorkin sounds like paradise by comparison.Enjoy every nanosecond. All fine and well here, huge hug from us all xoxoxoxox
ReplyDeleteTo Emma (zulu 1) hey you! i hope that everything is going really good for you,i was worried for your ancle, but when i see you i know that you´re so strong and you can do anything!! i believe in you! the trek is not a problem for you! the best wishes for you! take care!! see you soon :) xxkei
ReplyDeletePara dani(Tica guapa de Zulu 2): Hey Dani! aun no he visto fotos del trek pero me imagino que ya debe estar toda hecha leña jaja no no, fijo todo excelente ahi! disfrute mucho esta parte, es de lo mejor, parece dificil pero se que para ud será pan comido! animo!!! hay momentos dificiles lo sé, pero si hay alguien que puede cruzar montañas y ríos como si nada, esa es ud!! jeje un gran abrazo!! cuidese mucho!! kei
ReplyDeletePara Tanne: helloo! i dont know if writte you in spanish or english, i wanna do in dutch, but i need some help, the next message will be in dutch! have fun in Cabo Blanco! it´s a awsome place, these last days give the best of you, have a good memories, im preparing another surprise for you! just wait! :) take care! xxKei
ReplyDeleteto Aurelia(Zulu 4): hey lady! i hope that your leg is getting better! i know now whats means to be brave, just with see you in action, the turtles must be happy to have you on the beach! have fun and remember: i´ll see you soon!! :) xxKei
ReplyDeletepara Sarita(otra tica chineada del grupo, Zulu 4) este es el primer mensaje, el cual tiene como objetivo informarle que la quiero montones! espero que este disfrutando mucho, espero verla en las fotos pronto, y asi ver esa sonrisa que tanta alegria me da :) no olvide que estamos hechandole porras y que si necesita algo me dice y yo de inmediato me voy para alla(es que también me hace falta un bronceado, cada vez que me quito la camiseta la gente queda ciega), en fin! portese bien y sino me llama! cuidese, un abrazote! xxkei
ReplyDeletePara Raleigh staff! hey guys, maybe this is the 10th time thats i say this, but thank you again! for everything, i´m counting the days for my back, right now the university is killing me, but soon i gonna see you! :)
ReplyDeleteDont forget hace fun!!! ;) xxkei
for ian o'connor (zulu 1)
ReplyDeletehey there,
i thought you might like some motivation since you've been out there on the volcanoes for a couple days now (volcanos?) anyway, i thought i'd tell you that, in case you haven't calculated, there's like two and a half weeks until you're home. i am so so so excited. your friends are excited too, i saw dan and tim at the thanksgiving game. dan told me the four of them had a sleepover and missed you a ton, so you better come back soon, seriously. he's very sad without you.
i hope you had a happy thanksgiving, mine was very nice, and now everyone is getting ready for christmas which will be so fun since you will be home! :) i am so pumped for all the snowball fights we will have, and the massive amounts of eggnog you will force me to drink. i miss you very very much, i hope things are good. take some pictures or something of those gorgeous views! and try not to fall in a volcano
lots of love,
anna
Hola Zulu 6. Hola "Wellard" ! You guys seem to be in such a fabulous community. Can't wait to see the 'photos of Panama from the Jungle. We are thoroughly envious. It would also be great to see a photo of Wellard eating porridge. That would be another first ! Enjoy the rest of a fabulous experience and come back safely with lots of wonderful memories. Love Mum, Dad and Adam.
ReplyDeleteOliver Thomas - Zulu 6
ReplyDeleteJust read the blog - sounds amazing, what an experience. The bow and arrow making lessons could come in handy if you do join the army with all the cut backs! Hope your foot is better. Went to Reading this weekend and had a lovely time with Polly - saw her working in her shop, she looks so sweet! We both miss you lots. The boys miss you too! Lots of love M xxxxxxxxxxxxx
hey Lawrence.......This project sounds like quite a lot of fun. A bit more variety in both scenery and socially. I hope you have a wonderful"last leg" to your adventure in Costa Rica. I simply can't wait to see you again and hear all your stories and see the photos I hope you have!!!:) So very pround of you my boy.
ReplyDeleteWith all my love as ever, Mum xoxo
For Sam Walter
ReplyDeleteWe love you loads, will miss you on 8th for our get together in London but understand completely why you would want to be where you are. We are very proud of you doing what you’re doing and know that the memories will last a lifetime. Have seen the photos of your time spent with new friends and can’t wait to see you soon. Our love always, Peter and Annette xox.
To Simon (Zulu 3)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday for Thursday 3rd December
Love from Mum, Dad and all your Family and Friends.
Good luck on the Beach!!!!
Zulu 3
ReplyDeleteHello everyone!!! thanks for such wonderful days at Cabo Blanco, made us feel as one of the group and the lovely dinner our last night, I did not want to leave. Hope the work in the path is going as the first day. I also hope everyone is feeling better and hope to see you at the changeover (looking forward). Lots of hugs to everyone and do not forget about Spanish, okay?
Maryann ex-hcv and UCR volunteer
For Alexander Zulu 6 on December 5th
ReplyDeleteSinterklaas has recently heard it said
You now prefer a hammock to a bed
sleeping with turtles on a beach
placing their eggs far out of reach
the ultimate challenge, the Maribios trek
without the luxury of an unhealthy snack
heavy backpacks, blistery feet
a drink of water a major treat
now in Yorkin, with Zulu six
tradition and future, the perfect mix
it might just be that a chocolate letter
made in Yorkin tastes even better!
perhaps you should explain this Dutch tradition
of Sint and Piet and their special mission
We wish you all good times to come
with special greetz from your Dad and Mum
hello zulu 6 and especially Gigi. I am truly jealous of u being in such an interesting place. I am proud of all your good work. Gigi u have some stunning muscles. and u look super fit I love the snap shots of u all The rivers look swollen by the rains so the going was good? look forward to your next BLOG XXXXXXXXXX MA TERRY WALSH
ReplyDeleteTo Oliver Thomas. Zulu 6. from Nanny and Poppa
ReplyDeleteHi Oliver
Headline runs: 'Barbarian Invasion! Habana hat-trick crushes All Blacks!' Best game of the season 25-18 Only UK reps were from Wales, Jamie Roberts played a blinder. Andy Powell and Halfpenny came on second half - Powell has had a haircut and doesn't look half as wild , but his game still is!
Had dinner with Jo and Allen at the Hat Box in Presteigne on Tuesday - good fun and very enjoyable.
Next week it is then. Looking forward immensely to your return and all your travellers tales over a pint and rib-eye!
Miss you till then.
Love Nanny and Poppa
PS
Turkey processing on the 19th. Don,t worry if you can't make it - I,m sure you won't!
Thanks for this great work is very useful for all readers, I thank you for allowing me to read this great blog
ReplyDelete