Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: They're back! Echos return for Changover II

Saturday, 21 August 2010

They're back! Echos return for Changover II

Time flys when you're having fun, and so it goes here on Expedition 10F which is now two-thirds done, if you can believe it!

All our Echo groups are now safely back at Fieldbase for their second changeover after an amazing phase spent trekking across volcanos, building community centres in remote Nicaragua and protecting turtles on an idyllic Pacific beach.

Tomorrow they'll have a day to relax in Turrialba before the much anticipated Phase 2 skit competition and an 80s/90s dance party in the evening. Then before you know it they'll be receiving their final project allocations and deploying for Phase 3.

We've already started collecting photos and project reports from the Venturers, which we'll bring to you over the next few days. We'll update the navigation menu in the the right hand sidebar so you can find all the photos and info from the projects you're most interested in.

Stay tuned.

10 comments:

Anonymous22 August 2010 at 06:47
Hi Colita Echo 6, glad your back and on your way to your next phase. Guess what I was over uncle richards house playing in my card tornament and here comes a bithday cake, we were all wondering who and what, well uncle Richard's son's birthday was on the 17th so I got a chance to celebrate his birthday and thinking of you while I had cake and ice cream. I was surprised and so were they. Aunt Libby has been asking for you also' told everyone that I haven't heard a thing from you for awhile. It's too bad that no one has returned your phone. But anyway I do hope you get a chance to get to the computer. Delonte asked for you just last night about hearing anything, but hopefully I will so I can tell . Jumari leaves onseptember the 2nd so hope you can go on facebook to say hi to him, he too was asking he said
godma Kathy told him your birthday, he said he can't believe your 18, you don't look it' Did you get the tees I sent you please give them to some friends you met so they won't forget you. Your body must be aching from that trek, but must come with some pride, give yourself a round of applause, because I am applauding you and so are others. I miss having talks with you, at now at 18, you always make sense even if it's funny. I heard that you will be doing skits, bring on the performance and the dance should be right up your alley because they will be playing old school. Anyway enough for now until then, miss you, love mom. Over and out from home base BERMUDA.
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Anonymous22 August 2010 at 12:09
Hi ana echo 4
Dear ana
last night i went to the cinema to see karate kid with brian and caoimhe. we had resturant we went to the pizza resturant i had a small pizza and chocolate fudge cake and ice cream.
it was good fun.
i went to spain with mummy and niall i saw cosimo,zeno, zuzu, zui, anne, ghazi, we had a great time. we went to beach and swimming. we had spaghetti bolognaise.
i love you i miss you
xxx niall
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greenway gang22 August 2010 at 15:26
Welcome back, Anthony Shapland (Echo 4)
Hope Phase Two was a great success...and you can now take a well-earned rest. Enjoy the party....although you probably won't recognise any of the music(!!!!)...and catch up with all your friends from Alpha 6. I'm sure you'll have lots of stories to swap with each other. We're looking forward to seeing the next batch of photos...and can't wait to find out where you are off to for your final Phase. Vincent has just called in and sends his love. No 'Peanut' yet....but it's 'countdown' now! If all goes well - you'll be returning as Uncle Anthony! What a thought!! Anyway - as always - take care and look after yourself. We are all enjoying following your progress. Try to send another email if you can. It was great to get the last one. Have a wonderful time. Lots of hugs and kisses from all of us here. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Tills22 August 2010 at 23:37
To Catriona Till Echo 1
Hi Trins,
Thank you for the call it was such fun to talk and hear about your trek. We're so glad it went so well and that you managed to find your way out of the jungle!! Looking forward to seeing the photos. Have lots of fun on your last project. Keep safe and well xxoom&d + lots of love from amz too.
p.s. Hope you remembered malaria pill :)
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Anonymous22 August 2010 at 23:48
To Nikki Fullwood Echo 6
Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day and a good trek too. Have fun. love from Tilly's mum and dad
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Anonymous23 August 2010 at 19:37
Hi Colita echo 2, received your message, that was so funny, somethings never change. LOL.
spainish rice. you have to use stewed tomatoes and tomato paste in the dish and seasoning. At the begining you have to put stewed tomatoes and tomato paste in a pot with water boil down and if you have chrico chopped that up ,put that in then add your rice, not a lot of liquid because you have to steam the rice down low with a top on it. It's better to have less water because you can always add more water but if you have too much water the rice will be smushy just like when I make my peas and rice. Anyway I won't send you anything else because you won't get it in time. I'm glad you received your package hope you liked it. I tell everyone you said hi. Well I'm glad to here that your not starving because you and food. LOL.
Well hope you like your last phase and I thought about you with tracking did you see Appollo Ono in front. Atleast that's behind you on to your last stretch. Have lots of fun and don't bring those tees back. Talk to you later love mom
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Mum24 August 2010 at 03:14
For Rosalind Bown (Romeo 1): Greetings to Romeo 1s as you head off for all those live volcanoes - wow!

Grandpa has sorted the cheque for Halls at uni, and will definitely be there tomorrow ;-) And I'll sort the Band Camp - couldn't find on Fbook (I tried, honest, love!) but will sort via the conductor we know there or the music dept...

Still no news of Nick's interview but he seems v chilled. They're going to the Prom tonight, and Dad and I are going to stuff the HCO mailing list with the Alders over dinner there (!).

Huge hugs, dear love, Mum
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Morris family24 August 2010 at 08:42
Hi Chris Morris
Thanks for the email - really great to hear from you. Can't believe you have finished your second project already. Good to hear you enjoyed the turtle project, it must have been really rewarding. Looking forward to hearing what you will be doing next. Everyone is fine here - Daz passed his A leves, Joe is even more of a monkey than he was and is chatting lots. Love from us all. xx
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Anonymous24 August 2010 at 09:08
Catriona Till - Romeo 3, Echo 1?!
HIYA (if this gets to you that is- I'm not convinced I'm doing it right!) Sorry I haven't left you a message before now. I had the impression before you left that I'd be able to send you a weekly message giving you updates about all the exciting things going on in the Shire but unsurprisingly nothing of that sort has really happened, and so whenever I've thought of what to write in a message to you I've been stuck to think of what I should put! It's my birthday today (very upset you have neither sent me a card, email or tried phoned me by the way, ha ha ;) ) I haven't done a lot as it's my only day off this week (eurgh) so have chilled out a lot instead, and then everyone who's around is coming out tomorrow night. Thought I would start the night off at mine with nibbles and cocktails. Wish you were here for it :(
I'm sure you're having an ace time. The photos your mum's put up on facebook are pretty cool- though she's tagged you in a photo of a turtle. I'm wondering if she's forgotten what you look like after such a long time apart?! Anyway, in order that this doesn't turn into an essay I'll stop here. REALLY looking forward to seeing you on the 16th. LOTS AND LOTS OF LOVE from Holly xxxxxx
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Anonymous25 August 2010 at 15:06
Message for Tina ambrose. Think this will get to you. Just a little message becky is having a baby..... this couldnt wait any longer for you to find out! just a message to say good luck on your trek. wish you well.

miss you!

claris xxxxxxx
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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?”