Alpha Nine – Week One Round-up by Bryony James

A three hour trek across the beach with the sea lapping at our ankles, Alpha Nine lugged our backpacks under the blazing Costa Rican sun, up a steep secret passageway, through the forest to an open wooden casa where we rested for only a night before making the equally long trek up an endless slippery slope through the forest to where we are now…

In the beautiful Guaymi Indigenous Reserve there is little need for watches, schedules or alarm clocks… we wake when the sun begins to heat our cheeks and supper starts when the sun sets. We have seen some of the most beautiful wildlife including Scarlet Macaws, Toucans and to the horror of one of Alpha Nine’s members, a snake! It’s not only the bizarre Costa Rican creatures, the beautiful sunsets and the warm smells of fresh tortilla that make this reserve so enthralling, but also, in my opinion, it is the people that make it so special. They seem to possess so little, yet hold such happiness. They survive in a simple paradise, which makes me feel honoured to be a part of.

For those who don’t know, Alpha Nine have been set the task of building the foundations of a secondary school for these people. So far we have carried huge, 47kg planks of wood in pairs up a steep hillside from the forest below... towards the end of the day, we are so tired that it takes about six of us to carry what two of us could do in the morning.

Work like this is backbreaking and many of us have blisters and bruises to show our struggles. However, there is never really a moment when we are not laughing at Alli’s quips or Emma (now referred to as Meryl) keeping us going with her addictive laugh and hilarious comments – I have only mentioned two people, but as a group it’s amazing how well we have managed to bond in order to understand and motivate one another. The first week has been amazing...more news from us next week.

The epic walk up the beach from Banco to Rio Coco

Action Woman Katie leads the Bravo Three team on a visit to see Alpha Nine

Alpha Nine's abode for 20 days

That's team work! Alpha Nine demonstrate their wood-carrying technique

A Guaymi woman wearing her traditional dress

'H' makes friends with the local children

Photography class with 'Profe' Bryony

'Here's one I made earlier'.... Vanessa shows off her 'basha bed'

A9 watching the sun go down

Smile!

Who's a pretty boy then?

Who needs B&Q when you have a Guaymi 'sierrista' (chainsaw man) to cut perfect strips of wood fresh from the jungle (sustainable of course)