Hello X-Ray 1 and X-Ray 6

Water is about to flow through the newly laid pipes in the community of Las Tablas, Achuapa.  X-Ray 6, led by PMs, Wellard, Adrian and once again, Dr Phil, have been diligently trenching and pouring the concrete for the second holding tank that will feed clean water to the lower  village.

Enroute to Achuapa 

Venturers, Hiten, Naz, Jenny, Tom, Enma, Ari, Maxim “Veggie”, Amy, Darren, Jay, Ana, Michael and the two Beckis (Slater and Turner) are having a blast living with their host families, wolfing down gallo pinto, and simply amusing the children with their presence. Most of the homes have no electricity so it’s almost pitch dark by sunset, save for the flicker of flames from the stone-moulded kitchen stove. This is true rustic living for the volunteers who appear to have adapted really well to it.

Alpha 6 legacy

Beginnings of a holding tank

When not trenching or pouring concrete, the team find time to teach English at the primary school, practice their Spanish with their hosts and marvel at the antics of  the domestic livestock. One mama pig gave birth to seven pink little piggies during the first week, much to our venturers’ delight.

Trencher Tom

Welcome home Tio Felipe

Bravo 1 left the group after a special bonfire night under a clear moonlit sky organized by the community. President of the Juan Francisco Paz Silva Cooperative and social promoter of the community Brigido Sosa, impressed us all with his guitar skills and Nicaraguan folk tunes. He noted that is was rare to see the entire village come together for a social gathering such as that so it was great to know that Raleigh’s presence is having a positive impact in more ways than one.

Que pena!

Dr Phil and his ukulele was no less entertaining with his renditions of Kum Ba Ya and Waltzing Matilda.  The night ended in fits of laughter with a “sing-off” between the Raleigh team and the children of Las Tablas. We were no match for the shrills of the young ‘uns, of course.

X-Ray 6 last reported plans to camp for a night at a nearby hill. We will be waiting eagerly for news of the first gush of water from the taps by the end of phase.

Babes

Meanwhile, X-Ray 1 are looking like a band of happy campers; pleased with themselves for having beaten the clock several times to arrive at their checkpoints.  A bit of chest-thumping there, no doubt. Some venturers have taken up the challenge of living solely on Raleigh rations throughout phase, thus abstaining from tucking in to the candy from the mobile tuck shop.

Fresh fruit break

The Maribios trail

Lee - Powered by Pork & Beans

We rendezvoused with the group at a school in Colonia Santa Cruz and joined them for the ascent of Volcan Casita the next day which turned out to be a perfect day for the four-hour hike to the top. We were blown away by the brilliant view of the smoking, Volcan San Cristobal. The trek will end in Mechapa beach in the province of Chinandega. The dry heat of the Nicaraguan Northwest is going to be the group’s biggest challenge, we reckon. 

Another record for X-Ray 1