Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Echos settling in and getting down to work

Thursday, 5 August 2010

Echos settling in and getting down to work

We're happy to report that all of our Echo groups have now reached their destinations safely and are starting work on their project sites or setting off on their treks. Echos 1, 5 and 6 spent last night in a school in Jinotepe on their way to our Nicaraguan projects.

It was another very early start yesterday morning as the Echos were up at 3.30am to deploy for Phase 2 of their expedition but they were all full of smiles as they boarded the buses:

14 comments:

alexucr5 August 2010 at 11:44
To: Randall Vargas
From: Álex

Hi!

I want to write to you this last time to congratulate you, I'm happy to hear everything was okay...

I hope you have enjoyed this amazing new opportunity in your life...

I enjoyed a lot while watching your little play, what a video... :-)

See you on Sunday!!!
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Anonymous7 August 2010 at 02:57
Hi Ana (echo4)
How are the turtles?
Hope the beach is fantastic? Just thinking about the mangrove swamp and wondering about the bugs. Don't think you'll be afraid of a moth after this trip.
We are all missing you. Quiet here today as Brian is off at a stag weekend camping, canoeing etc. Dad has gone to run a race the "seven hills" so am hoping he comes back in one piece. I have to do the shopping which will be more strenuous for me that all of that.
Niall and I will run later as part of his regime. He and I are off to Spain Monday week.
Granny's birthday Monday and Uncle Rory the big 50!
Hugo has been ironing!!!
Hope you are collecting lots of turtle eggs- it's a really good job that you are doing.
I'm sure the craic is great.
We love you lots.
xxx Mum
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Anonymous8 August 2010 at 17:44
Bravo 2! Sorry i didn´t say bye to you and jamal and vanessa and annie properly, I thought i would see you again! it is a good sign though...it means i will definitely see you all again and get a hug then. have a great rest of expedition, i will call fieldbase and email once i am back at work. I loved nicaragua, was so cool travelling about with you and getting to know you. sorry i spat toothpase and ice cream in your face but i think in some cultures that is a sign of affection.
take care give my love to everyone
x x xx xxx x x xx x xx x x amy
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Nina Brown9 August 2010 at 03:24
Rose Brown was alpha 1 could be echo 1.
Hello Rose, Hope your ok, i have been looking at blogs everyday to see what your up to. Looks very challenging but i know you can do it.
Look after yourself.
Lots of love
Linda, Howard, and gangxxxxx
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Krishnalekha Chaudhuri Silva9 August 2010 at 08:21
Margit Takacs
Group: ECHO 3

Hi Gitti,

Hope you are well...we are all very proud of what you are doing and are really enjoying your updates...missing you though...hoping to see you back in Europe soon.

You take care and keep in touch over email...:))

Lots of Love
Krishna
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Anonymous9 August 2010 at 15:50
Will, Echo 1

Hi Will: hope you got to the start of your trek in one piece and will enjoy seeing the various volcanoes. We were at the Carnival today in Grenada and have many photos! Would have been more fun if you were with us though. We're leaving for home Tuesday 10th and will send message to say we're back in one piece. Have a great time and much love, M +D
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Juliet Radford Hayes10 August 2010 at 04:33
Hi Tina (Echo 4)

Thinking about you a lot and hoping your time at the hatchery is as amazing as nicaragua was for you. I'm wondering what it is you are doing! I hope it's something fantastic and to be proud of being part of. Can't wait for your next update. Lola is really missing you - she's been in the garden but not in the house at all for the past week or so. I'm at Gary's for a few days to get my assignments underway because the internet at ours has gone completely for some reason - i think its the modem box thing. Anyway i'm sorting it but need the internet to do my research. Liam and Julie feeding Lola. Well hope you're enjoying yourself. I'm missing you and love you loads - wish I was out there sharing all your experiences! Take care sweetheart and keep putting the mozzie cream on! Love you, Mumxxxxxxxxxx
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greenway gang11 August 2010 at 18:08
Anthony Shapland - Echo 4

Forgot to add.....can't believe you were actually up at 3.30 AM ....and you even managed to look AWAKE in the photos!! Must be the air out there....or those wonderful Turtles.....Enjoy!!!!!! All my love, Mum xxxxxxxxxx
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Anonymous13 August 2010 at 04:14
Will, Echo 1

Back from the warmth of Grenada to the rain of London! Hope the trekking is going well and you are enjoying the smell of sulphur! All well here and about to celebrate Charlie's 18th tomorrow. Will keep cake for you! Much love and hugs, M+D
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greenway gang13 August 2010 at 09:47
Hi Anthony (Shapland) Echo 4

I've sent you several blogs now - but they don't all seem to be appearing....so I'm not sure if you're getting them?! Thought I'd have another go and see if this one appears. Anyway - all's well here. I spent the day over at Vincent and Micki's yesterday, preparing the Nursery for them. I put a border around the walls, hung the new curtains and am now washing all the little bedclothes and covers etc. Dad came over after work and put up shelves and pictures - as well as putting the cot together, with Vincent, and fixing up the chest of drawers. We didn't finish until after midnight - but it looks lovely and is all ready now....for the arrival of Peanut!!! Will let you know as soon as we have any news! Hope Phase Two is going well with the Turtles. It must be amazing. I'm sure you've taken plenty more photos...and don't forget the Journal as well! Vincent was looking on the map to see where you were located. He said that you are way further down than he was. Looking at the photos brought back lots of happy memories for him. Anyway - let's hope you get this Blog. We've sent some postcards as well...so they might be at Base Camp when you get there next. Look after yourself and keep enjoying every minute of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!!! Lots and lots of love, Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxx
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Juliet Radford Hayes16 August 2010 at 05:17
Hi Tina (Echo 4)

Well how exciting! You are rescuing turtle eggs - 1000 in a night it says on the blog - I can't believe you're part of something so fantastic! Making night beach patrols too and clearing up the beach; it all sounds wonderful. It was amazing to get your quick email over the weekend - seeing turtles having fun! It's just something you will remember forever. I'm back at home now - Gary's fixed the internet. It's something to do with the modem box and we can't get enough power from one so we have 2 there now! I don't understand but it works so that's ok. I only have one week left until I start work - next monday (it's monday 16th today) - so I'm frantically getting on with assignments and research so I can get things out of the way before I start working. I think we can have the house we've found but it won't be ready til mid October but thats ok - we're just waiting for a verbal agreement. Not looking forward to moving and all that packing! Lola's still missing you. We've been here all weekend and not seen her yet! Anyway, hope you get this blog ok and I just want to say I'm missing you loads and love you loads too. Keep having fun and enjoy monitoring the turtle nesting habits! What a project! Love you Tina, Lots of love from mum xxxxxxxxx
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Mum19 August 2010 at 02:58
For Rosalind Bown, Echo 4: Your Southampton offer is now Firm, dear love - well done! Much doom in the papers about all the excellently qualified folk who won't get places this year... I'm now a Hotmail and Soton Accom site junkie, and will report back as son as they pop up again! I've saved the 'offer' email in your Contacts list, so it will pop up on your log-in page when it comes.
All fine here. Nick's in France, I hope genuinely enjoying their Monteverdi tour with AAMusic. He might hear by tomorrow about a second interview at Manches - to get a training contract would be SO amazing... He's paid his deposit to accept the place at the College of Law, tho he also had an offer from BPP (another private law college).
We'd at Eli Gow's wedding on Saturday - so looking forward, lovely Eli... And we'll see G&G on the way. She's asked me to start investigating Jewish sheltered housing places for next year (after her trip to Israel, she thinks), which could work if not too far away from all of us.
Dad and I are OK, in my case hoovering up admin before our short visit to France from next Weds (to stay at Connie's house in Normandy with N&N) - can't wait! Which reminds me, need to sort cats ;-)
We're v pleased and relieved for you, love, re the uni place - well done! - and looking forward to hearing more/speaking when life allows. HUGE HUGS, darling love! Mum xxx
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Anonymous19 August 2010 at 17:41
Mi arita bella: hace ya un tiempito no te escribo pero es que con la escuela y los otros chicos, ando de locos....eso sí no dejo de recordarte....Ayer me tomé un cafecito con Ilita y la Bopi que al fin regresó, y que está lo más bella...Porsu hablamos de vos!!! Te ví en una fotita, qué linda, como siempre...Me imagino que seguís disfrutando y aprendiendo mucho. Cuidate, un besito, YE TEM... MOME
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Leah Fullwood21 August 2010 at 01:34
Happy birthday Nikki Fullwood (23rd Aug). I thought id send you this message today in the hope you receive it on your birthday, if not then you cant say i didnt try!!!

I hope you have a fab day doing whatever you are now doing (Ive lost track a little bit). Have an amazing birthday and looking forward to speaking to you soon.

Lots of love, kisses and birthday wishes

Leah and Will 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?”