Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Update from Alpha 7 in El Rodeo, Miraflor

Sunday, 24 October 2010

Update from Alpha 7 in El Rodeo, Miraflor

From Alpha 7's SITREP this morning:

Alpha 7 are now firmly established in El Rodeo despite swarms of ants, rain storms and a never ending supply of tortillas.

We are getting on great with the locals and they have been extremely hospitable.

After a week of hard work digging, mattocking and shovelling the foundations are now in place. We are now starting to build the walls, which involves shifting sand and mixing cement. PM, Don Pierro is our Health & Safety King and has coined the term "No glove, No love" to ensure correct PPE is used when on cement duty.

All in all, it's been a fantastic first week in Miraflor.

13 comments:

Anonymous24 October 2010 at 12:10
HOLA JESSICA COMO ESTAS??? ESPERO Q ESTES SANA Y SALVA JEJEJ Y VIVIENDO LA EXPERIENCIA AL MAXIMO TE EXTRAÑO BASTANTE.....TE MANDO UN BESO Y UN ABRAZO....ÁNIMO!!!! TQM SALUDOS A YALI Y TODOS POR ALLA....MUAH =)

PURA VIDA
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Debbie and Ian24 October 2010 at 15:29
For Garry Pearson Aplha 7

hopefully you're getting these messages as I can't see them coming up on the blog. We're really enjoying reading the blog and catching up with all the news from all the alpha teams. Not sure we'd be able to cope with the ants, but I'm sure we'd manage with the mountain of tortillas! Can't wait to catch up on face book when you're back Auntie Debbie and Uncle Ian xxx
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steve and diane ellard25 October 2010 at 01:34
A big HOLA to Wellard, PM in Alpha 3. Glad to see your second tour in Costa Rica is going really well. Can't wait to see the pics. of the Mirador. 800 trees planted in 2 days is awesome. Excellent work. Have a great birthday on the 28th OCTOBER. We'll all be thinking of you. Oh, and by the way, your exam pass certificate arrived last week. Great result! Take care of yourself (and everyone else) and keep taking the 'photos for us to see on Christmas Eve. Lots of love from Mum and Dad. xxx
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Charlie's mum25 October 2010 at 13:26
Hi Charlie,

Hope you're enjoying yourself looking after the turtles. The huge leatherback you spotted looked amazing. It's getting very cold here- it was freezing last night and everyone is busy getting their winter woolies out. It's half term this week and dad and I are busy trying to persuade Lucy to stay at home and do some work for her GCSE's. Unfortunately we're not having much luck. Take care and keep safe. Lots of love mum xx
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Anonymous25 October 2010 at 14:03
Ellie, Alpha 1
Still no word to how you guys are doing....getting anxious! Tried to send a message on thurs however was not successful. Great news on Molly, given all clear, no need to treatment. John's b'day dinner very nice. Really cold here today so enjoy the warmth. Hope you still have some toe nails and your fitness is greatly improved. Missing you....lots of love Swali xxx
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Anonymous25 October 2010 at 14:27
To Rachael Armitage.
Hope you get this one. Had trouble posting, not written on a blog before. All well here. Hope the ants are now under control (and the tortillas!) We were without water for 8 hours on Sat which made us think of you. Will try and get Mum on to here.
love
Louise
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Julie Kendall26 October 2010 at 08:33
For Sarah K Alpha 7
Howdy Sarah
Hope you're enjoying the ants, storms & tortillas in El Rodeo, Miraflor! Just been to Ullswater with Rachel - the most beautiful lake, reminded us of Austria. Perfect weather too! It was cold in the mornings - car covered in ice - none of that where you are! Plan to go again at Feb half term if poss - there are so many walks arounds there, and you could come too.
Always thinking about you and wondering what you're doing, love you lots,
Mamma xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Bharti Bhandal27 October 2010 at 00:29
Sime Alpha 7
Eagerly waiting for photos - can see the other group photos and they are having a great time. Can't wait to hear from you on the 3rd of Nov - remember it is Diwali on 5th and we will be thinking of you. Light some candles on the day.
Love you
Take care
Mom
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Unknown27 October 2010 at 16:27
hey simrath, going great guns eh! keep up the good work!! Take care,, love from all of us at Redbridge

from arjun: have you made any friends or enemies?

name me them on my email
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Rachel K28 October 2010 at 09:51
To Sarah K (Alpha 7)

Howdy sister!!! I read on the blog that you have been digging and building - sounds like very hard work! Can't wait to see some pictures appear as well! Looking forward to a few weeks when you changeover...hopefully we'll be able to email again! Missing you lots and lots! Very busy at uni - 2nd year is so hard! So much work to do!!

Had the most amazing weekend in the Lake District with Mum though - absolutely amazing place - it reminded me very much of Austria! Can't wait till we can go back! And tackle Helvellyn (which I have persuaded mum to do again)!

We have a complete flat now! Final one came yesterday - an Indian girl called Hassika (not sure how you spell that lol). She seems very nice. Her mum is staying for a few days and is cooking tea for us all tonight! An Indian feast! Very nervous now though, as every time we go in the kitchen, we get samples to try and I can honestly say I have never had such spicy food in my whole life!! My mouth is still on fire! I didn't know such spicy food even existed - very very different to our English version of a curry lol - you would never manage! Wonder if the food you are eating very spicy? I feel like I have to eat everything though so that I don't offend them! Wish me luck!

Will talk in a few weeks hopefully!! Lots of luck and best wishes. Lots and lots and lots of love and kisses! Rachel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Bharti Bhandal4 November 2010 at 15:47
Simrath Alpha 7
Hi Sime
I am sure you are at base camp. Avnita just called - got your message - wish we could see some of your pictures. Remember it is Diwali tomorrow - will miss you. I have made burfi, besan and gulab jamun - havn't turned out as i would wish.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Love Mom and Dad
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Unknown14 November 2010 at 05:27
simrath bhandal Alpha 7
Hope you are having fun.Waiting to hear from you again and more photos of you- lots. Todays sunday. just relaxing and wishing you were here for a fry up or steak
Love You
Harjit
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Unknown19 November 2010 at 04:29
To Garry Pearson,

Hey mate, Hope you're having a great time! Everyone's missing you here. We often wonder about the amazing things you'll be getting up to! The office is definitely quieter without someone talking constantly. 'Stars' went really well. Craig won! i think it was the makeup and moves! haha Keep updating us on what your team's been doing. Take care bud. See you soon. FRCA
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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?”