Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Alpha 2 photo album

Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Alpha 2 photo album

We've collected stacks of photos from the Alpha 2 Venturers and PMs - here are some of the best:

11 comments:

Anonymous5 August 2010 at 01:18
David Mortn Echo 6

Hey David caught up with your photos, thats a bit more like you, can't believe you have been camera shy!!! Hope all is going well at your end and you enjoy the next part of your journey! Organising your Gold Canoeing trip, hope you are still up for doing that when you come back and are not toooo tired! Your coast to coast trek looked fantastic, I'm sure it was hard work but worth it I hope. Take care catch up soon ang :-)
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Paul Smith5 August 2010 at 01:29
David Morton Echo6

Hi Son, I got all the gossip of your mom, so sorry to hear you were not well I know that feelnig only to well. Great to see in pictures that you are on your feet and appear to be having a great time, knew u would as u have the strength to get through it.

I am so proud of you and dont be missing home and stuff as everyone hear will always be hear for you, so know missing us.

Cant wait to see you,

you are a very special person and I am very proud to say I know you and you came form The Hut lol got to get hut in aint I.

See you soon and keep safe son.

Paul
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Anonymous5 August 2010 at 03:19
David Morton Alpha 2
Hey David,great photos.
You look like your having a great time. Everyone sends their love and kisses. Lisa had a sleepover last night and she still hasnt slept.

Love and kisses Mum,Dad & Girls xxx
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Anonymous6 August 2010 at 03:31
David Morton Alpha 2
Hey David just want to say how proud we all are of you. Missing you loads
Love Mum ,Dad & Girls xxx
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Anonymous8 August 2010 at 12:22
dear ana (echo 4)
hello ana i am looking at your photos i wish i was there with you.
you seemto be having agreat experience you will have some stories to tell when you get home.

love granny brown
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Kirsty Rawlings12 August 2010 at 12:38
Bethany Davison (Alpha 2? still?)

Hiya Beth! sorry it's taken me so long to write to you! still not got internet in the flat, only Marks Iphone and you know what I'm like with technology, can only just manage to use facebook on it! I hope this finds you well!? and I hear from Lorna that you are involved in a project now in Nicaragua? Bet you are having an amazing time! Hope your having fun, making up for lost time but taking it easy sometimes too :) ok i'll stop bein mumsy now lol......

The last couple of weeks have been pretty mad, the move went well and I'm pleased to report me and Mark are still friends lol. We're feeling really at home and can't wait for you to come visit on your return. Other news, I have a job in a law firm! As of Monday I will be a Fee Earner Assistant and part time evening LPC student rather than full time student. Went for the interview the first Weds we were in Manc and shockingly got the job and start Monday! Crazy times! Gonna be hard work but a great opportunity hopefully :) 24/7 lawyer here I come ha ha! Emma Drans also has a full time job startin Monday too, spooky!

Everyone well here and missing you muchly B Dee! Lovin the trek photos but try and get in some more so we can see what your doing now, and so we can view your hair lol :p

Keep havin fun and take care, miss your face, Kirsty xxx
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Anonymous15 August 2010 at 03:13
Stella Taliadoros

Yoo Stellz Kobellz! Get your ass back home now! Im jealousss ahhhhh. The amount of times ive had to tell people where you are is shocking ahah i think that "Stells not here" top would come in handy. But im so excited for you that your having a good time. Embrace everything and anything that you can, being smelly and dirty is all in the fun. Im going Eastbourne and Coventry this week and i dont no if your gonna get access to a phone or interest so try and call me if you can, i miss your voice. Me and Christou were looking at videos of you on her computer and was like WHERES STELLA!!

Hade stay safe and i love you soo much.

Loads of lovee the Taliadoros Family but plenty more love from Tiggs xxx
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Allan Kerr15 August 2010 at 04:57
David Morton Alpha 2
Hey Buddy A Got My Glasses Back Woo Aha Sorry A Haven't Been Writing a Lot Trying To Find A Job And Stuff Hope Your Having Fun Bud And Looking After Yourself Anyway A Will write In a Few Days
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Anonymous16 August 2010 at 07:43
David Morton Alpha 2

Hey David..Saw all ur fotos thru yer mam on FB...wot an adventure ur having..The whole family is so proud of you..Sorry to hear that u were unwell also...hope ur back on track and enjoyin urself again :) Thats our skools back today..so there is peace and quiet around the country lololol...Hope to see loads more of ur pics when u get home...yer mam will keep me posted...Lots of love Eileen and the girls xxx
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Emma Kitlowski18 August 2010 at 04:28
Beth Davison alpha 2

Hello, hello!

Only just found out we could send you messages on here...Hope you're doing ok, have been filled in by tash and pips after they spoke to you, what a way to begin your travelling adventure! We do genuinely all miss you loads, it's really weird just being four of us..
Sadly I'm back in hosp at the start of next week, the summer has gone waaaay too fast and i'm a bit scared for fourth year cos it might be too hardcore for me :s
I saw a couple of photos of you on this sight, you look happy so i hope you are really enjoying yourself, it does look a lot of fun!
Miss and love you lots, Em xxx
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Allan Kerr28 August 2010 at 15:45
David Morton Alpha 2

Hello Bud Like A Said It Was Awesome Talking To You On Facebook Nothing Much Is Happnin Here Kinda Boring HAve A Great Day And Look After Yourself We All Canny Wait Till You Come Back
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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?”