Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: What's happening in the world of Raleigh 10B today?

Friday, 12 February 2010

What's happening in the world of Raleigh 10B today?

The expedition is in full swing with everyone busy on their projects across Costa Rica and Nicaragua, here's the latest news from some of our Alpha groups...

Our Corcovado trekkers Alpha 1 had to dig deep to complete both the morning and afternoon stages of yesterday's trek. They battled extreme heat, gradients and cows during the day. Dinner on the riverside felt well earned.

In La Cangreja, Alpha 4 cemented a drainage system. Relentless heat and steepness meant water was impossible to carry. Joe and Harold were adopted as sons by the rangers. They had a chilled afternoon and lovely dinner.

It's hot, hot, hot for Alpha 5 down in Camaronal. They are curing their mozzie bites with swimming, sweating and Dirty Dianas!

Like true island castaways Alpha 6 fished for their dinner last night, off the shores of San Lucas Island. The girls caught the most fish so of course the boys want to go again tomorrow to get their own back.

Up in Los Tololos, Nicaragua, Alpha 7 faced a tough trek to their worksite through sludge, mud and rocks. The idea of finding water beyond this seemed impossible, but the super teamwork resulted in discovering the water source as well as a few other surprises... a turtle and poisionous spider to name but a few.

Down in Conte Burika, Alpha 9 are being visited by a Road Trip - Ross, Katie, Sarah (Blogger) and Keiner have all walked along the stunning beach into our most remote project site.

10 comments:

Nathan Fuller12 February 2010 at 10:47
To Bethany Bowers Alpha 1!
Heya honey,
Hope your doing well, apparently you had to battle cows today, there are dangerous those Costa Rican Killer Cows. Things here are going good. I miss you though! Its two weeks on monday since you left, Crazy Days.

I love you loads can't wait to see you at heathrow.

Love ya Shrimp
Nath
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Papa12 February 2010 at 12:24
To Freddie Bendit Alpha 9

Hi Darling, Thinking of you a lot. Hope the insects leave some thing of you before you come home. It must be so interesting and different. What an experience. Isn't it hot and sticky? Ive been looking for you in the satellite map but it's to difficult to make you out. I know exactly where you are ( I think) L o L xxxxx
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Catherine Palmer12 February 2010 at 14:26
Harriet Palmer Alpha 9 (I think)
Darling Hats I think you are in the 'most remote project site' from your description before you went. Longing to hear how your wall-building skills are going - hope all the kit is bearing up. Dad wants to know if your driving qualification is proving useful!!! Love you lots and do get in touch when you can. xxxxxx
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Message from Tonya and Phil12 February 2010 at 15:41
Message to Jess Gerry Alpha 4
Hi Hunny
We are off skiing tomorrow 2am start. yuk!!! Wish you were comming, but hey, 3 in a bedroom with dad snoring. I know where I'd better be!
"COSTA RICA"
We are going from sat to sat so will blog you next sun.
It is sooooooooo cold here, no snow but frezzzzzing.
I am still glued to the blog, I love hearing all the news. Still waiting to see a photo of you!!!!
Love you and miss you.
Hope your not sleep walking!!!!!! We are looking after Eeeeore!! All our love
Mum (my) and Dad (dy) Alice, Barney and Simba
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Catalina Retana R.12 February 2010 at 20:56
Para Oscar, Adri, Keiner y Nacho:

mis chicos preciosos los extraño muchisimo. Espero q les vaya super bien y q disfruten muchisimo!La verdad me gustaría estar en Raleigh...but u know!Hoy fue mi gradua de la u...Maryan me fue a ver x ser la "fotografa oficial". Tamb estuve con Fabian Ramirez q se graduaba tamb.Espero verlos pronto...Besos y Abrazos!

PD: ADRI ESPERO Q HAYA PASADO UN EXCELENTE CUMPLE=)
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Joanna Traynor13 February 2010 at 01:55
Nikki Traynor Alpha 8

Hey Honey, howz the building going? This programme we've been watching is great about 10 weeks in Costa Rica! Really feels like we have an idea of the difficulties you're facing and the hard work....and the sense of achievment and the fun!! Im sure you're facing all challenges and feelings HEAD ON with the amazing strength you have inside. Im imagining you getting attatched to all the little kids in Nicaragua. Just remember that people will always come into your life as and when you need them or they need you and when a purpose has been served they have to go again. Make the most of each day and each person and the memories will be alive forever! I really hope you're having an amazing time. In the words of Mark Twain "Dance like noboday's watching, love like you've never been hurt, sing like nobody's listening and LIVE LIKE IT'S HEAVEN ON EARTH." From one strong independant woman to another, love you loads honey, Mum xxxx
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saskia13 February 2010 at 17:02
To Isabel Pahud ( Alpha 1)
Lieve Bella,
Ik probeer je trektocht te volgen via de berichten op de site, kan de route niet goed vinden op de kaart maar het is hoop ik prachtig!Kan je het allemaal een beetje volhouden? Hoop dat jij en je teamgenoten een mooie tijd hebben en ook veel plezier samen hebben. Hier is het nog steeds koud en zelfs sneeuw... Olympische Winterspelen zijn vandaag begonnen, 1e gouden plak is binnen voor Sven Kramer! Lieverd jij verdient ook een medaille!
Volgende week vijdag verterk ik met Marja naar het weeshuis in Sri lanka! Zorg goed voor jezelf, dikke zoen xxx mam
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adrake_tennis@yahoo.co.uk13 February 2010 at 18:45
michaela turton alpha 5

Hey baby cakes you just dont no no, how much i love you so so!! Just wanted to say Happy Valentines Day and missing you lots and love you so much. Hope your having a great time and cant wait to see you in 8 weeks.
Love you

Andy xxxx
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Anonymous15 February 2010 at 10:50
Hi Jess thought we had better keep up the contact whilst my and dy are off skiing !! We wish were with them or home as its been terrible weather here , rain rain and more rain !!
Been following your trip but no photos for last week . Hope all is well and you are having the time of your life
Love Poppy and Peter xxxx
to Jessica Gerry Alpha 4
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Elise17 February 2010 at 12:45
@Caroline Bixner / alpha 2

hee lief nichtje! Red je t allemaal? Hoorde van je moeder dat je de jungle achter de rug hebt :-) hoop dat t erg mooi is en dat je leuke mensen ontmoet! Oja... Nog een nieuwtje... De familie wordt weer groter ;-) sssssst.... X elise
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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?”