On our gallant journey we have so far encountered a poison dart frog, a deadly viper snake (which most of the group walked past obliviously) and 10,000 fireflies- we could not believe our eyes.
After a breathtaking 'stroll' through an astounding valley the group took refuge in an indigenous community where they were both shocked and relieved to find flushing toilets and a shower!
It is safe to say that the boys in the group have become food fiends with any leftovers being demolished before the words, 'I can't finish,' have even been wittered. Despite the rapid devouring of our rations the 22kg backpacks do not seen to get lighter. Nevertheless the group will continue to march on to the Pacific knowing that when we finish we can proudly say that 'we have walked from coast to coast.'
So in the combined words of the great Arnie and the even greater Delta Yankee 1, 'C'mon do it, do it now!'
by Mags and Aisling
for: Gilles Bouman, Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeletelieve schat, ik zie net jullie laatste verslag, met foto van de groep op een hangbrug. Jullie zien er verbroederd en ook wel vermoei uit, het zal zwaar zijn maar hopelijk ook prachtig! ben blij dat slang en gifkikker zonder gevolgen zijn gepasseerd, brr dat is nog eens andere koek dan vanachter het bureau een comment aan je schrijven... Mijn vorige bericht kon ik niet terugvinden, niet aangekomen? dus schrijf ik je nu weer een nieuwe.... Roos is vanmiddag met de bus naar de wintersport vertrokken, laatste week van het seizoen, zal op de gletscher skien worden! Mar komt morgen thuis, we gaan voor jullie verjaardag nog uit eten, en zullen ook op jou een glas drinken! We hebben 2 spaanse meisjes van MUN te logeren, uit Barcelona, we missen je niet alleen om jouzelf (dat vooral) maar ook een beetje omdat je Spaans en over Spanje met ze zou kunnen praten. Nou ja, ook goed voor ons Engels, en leuk om over hun leven daar te horen! Foskien is een lieve gids voor ze. De fietsroute van de zomer begint vorm te krijgen: van Midd Zee naar Bordeaux of naar Biarritz 9dat laatste wordt wel klimmen..) We zullen zien. dag schat, tot het volgende bericht weer, geniet van alles om je heen, nog tweeenhalve week maar in dit avontuur, vliegt voorbij zeker? houd goed vol en kijk uit voor slangen! hou van je, dikke kus mama
jade pearson delta yankee 1 hi jade the photo looks amazen it must be yours lucky day 2 have aflushing loo and shower ha ha keep going you are doing great jonny got yours train tickets so all is fine having a bingo night again for some boys to go sailing around scotland take care love you miss you xxxxxxx mum
ReplyDeleteFor Hannah Tonneman, Alpha Yankee 1,
ReplyDeleteDarling Hannah,
How are you ?! We just received the Raleigh doctor's message, saying you had to miss a day of trekking- poor you, it must have been very hard to try and keep going while you're feeling awful, but then maybe even harder to have to stop and leave the team ? I'm told you're back on your feet now- let's hope you'll be feeling completely 100% again soon !
Are you enjoying the trek otherwise ? Your surroundings must be amazing.There's been no news about your group on the Raleigh blog yet- I look every day ! I told Oscar you were walking 250 km, and that that was the same as walking to school 25 times a day, for the next three weeks. He said he'd pass on doing the same, but that may have been due to the destination, not the distance !
All's well here. We're packing this weekend, ready to go back to Europe on Friday ! I go a few days earlier in fact, flying on the Tuesday, as I have to be in Moscow for business meetings next week- v exciting ! I then catch up with B and the kids on Friday as they fly in from Sakhalin, and we all continue on to Amsterdam. I can't wait !
I can't wait to see you either- and hear all your stories. I think of you constantly and we all really miss you ! Well not long now, Hope the rest of the trek goes really well, and that you have some more amazing days. Lots and lots of love from all of us, Mum xxxxxxxx
Mags Chilaev: DELTA YANKEE 1
ReplyDeleteOK, just had to take a deep breath, put a lid on my excitement and re-write the last comment as initially all i could utter was an overwhelmed and explosive outburst of illegible glee (something like: KJSDLKJFANSLDKFVYZKS!!!!!!!) - though i don't doubt that the sixth sense would have allowed you to decipher it in no time...
(i am prepared to say that your updates are more exciting than running to connies on a sunny morning and finding a perfectly clean set of 6 footers. i.e. able to evoke feelings which lie at the most extreme and usually untouched neon left of the emotional spectrum)
I was chatting to Keiner on facebook earlier and he confirmed that you had indeed shaved your head. it subsequently took me longer than the usual 0.001 seconds to identify you in the blog photo. then I recognised those blue shorts we bought together in that amazing shop. it's such torture, the photo is TINY and i can't make out whether it's the weather or your compete lack of scissor-hand coordination that is responsible for that electrified/windswept look.
you can also send any emergency messages on to K through the radio!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For Camilla O'C Alpha Yankee 6
ReplyDeleteHello Camilla. Your sister has just gone off and is now about to get on a bus for an 18 hour journey to the snowless Alps.
To think that is was 19 years ago on Tuesday that Liverpool drew their FA Cup semi final with Portsmouth at Highbury 1-1. Darren Anderton gave Portsmouth the lead in extra time but Ronnie Whelan equalised. The replay a week later was 0-0 but Liverpool won on penalties and went on to win the final 2-0 against Sunderland who had beaten Chelsea in the quarter finals. If Portsmouth had gone through as they almost did it would have been a final without any teams from the top division. As it was, the real reason to remember the semifinal (which I never saw) is that the traffic on that day almost meant that you were born in the back seat of our car stuck in traffic on the Holloway Road. Luckily, thanks to an impromptu police escort, you made it to the hospital with half an hour to spare.
So, on the basis that it may take a few days for this message to reach you, have a super birthday on Tuesday in the happy knowledge that Liverpool are unlikely ever to get to a cup semi final again.
Chelsea are away to Stoke tomorrow and the Tour of Flanders is on Sunday. Lots of the Grupetto are riding the sportive on Saturday and watching the race on Sunday.
Grandma also says happy birthday and is sending something to await your return home.
Have a great day and continue enjoying your last few weeks.
Loads of love xxxxx
Magz Chill Delta Yankee Nombre 1 Badman
ReplyDeleteHasta la vista AMIGO!!
10, 000 fireflies was the song of my phase 2. ahh sweet nostalgia!
+ consider all the energy bombing potential currently stored in our basement...
MAGS CHILAEV Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteThe Daily Mail is running a story about an unfortunate Japanese long-distance runner, Kimo Nakajimi, who had entered the London Marathon but, on account of a translation error, thought that he had to run for 26 days, not 26 miles. Reportedly Nakajimi was now somewhere out on the roads of England, still running, determined to finish the race. Various people had spotted him, though they were unable to flag him down. The translation error was attributed to Timothy Bryant, an import director, who said, "I translated the rules and sent them off to him. But I have only been learning Japanese for two years, and I must have made a mistake. He seems to be taking this marathon to be something like the very long races they have over there."
Mags Chilaev Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteMags I was talking to Emmita and she asked you to look out for a dutchy friend of hers called Daan van Apeldoorn! xxxxxxx
Andres Chavarria Delta Yankee 4
ReplyDeleteHola mi amor todo bien por alla espero que si? fijo estas divino Duro como roca y hermoso como un amanecer en montezuma desde la tienda...jiji Mi amor ya falta poco para que regreses que bueno ya quiero que me cuentes tooooodo lo chiva y todo lo que has pasado detalle por detalle.Me pone muy feliz que ya vengas te voy hacer mas feliz y te voy a enamorar mas no sabes cuanto valoro cada cosa que haciamos por mas pequeña que fuera mamoi,No es tan facil olvidar aquellos tiempos donde solo saliamos a caminar...Nosotros siempre juntos muuuuuah Mi amor en cabuya renovaremos los votos wuju espero que la noticia de ese viaje le haya encantado como a mi nos vamos a volver locos tu y yo baby.Ya me imagino todo ayyyyyy que bueno va ser.Mi precioso espero que estes emocionado como yo nuestro reencuentro de mamois va ser espectacular divino te voy a besar a mas no poder.No se olvide que ud es el hombre de mi vida y esta demostrado.Aguante 2meses y medio mi amor ud es el hombre de mis sueños no tengo ojos para nadie mas rajado ud me tiene loca es lo mejor que me a pasado gracias por hacerme la mujer mas feliz del mundo,sIN duda estoy mas demasiado mas que nunca enamorada de ti mamoi !!!!te amoooooo te amooooo ayyyyyyyy<3
Alex Backhouse
ReplyDeleteHey Al
Just a quick note seeing as it is about 6 oclock in the morning!! are off to the airport which is really exciting dads got facebook apparently so we can always contact you! l0ove you so much Ellie xx
DELTA YANKEE 2
ReplyDeleteYendry y Nacho
Porque de que cuando largos dias universidades vienes, examenes tienes cercas mañanas y mentes trabas no sabes nada, y porque cuando amigos no tienes cercanos ves, muchos extrañas, depresiones y helados comes, pansa posees,
corazones de meloneses!!! los extraño tantisimo!!! mae ya quiero que vuelvan mucho, que dichososs!! que emocionamiento el trek es lo mejoor!! vuelvanse locos, disfruten cada dia, cada noche lindisma, cada baño con puerta, cada atardecer, cada cuestota, cada salida del sol, cada vista, cada montaña, cada pueblito, xq
Andres y yo nos dimos cuenta que la felicidad es mas sencillita de lo uno siempre piensa, en medio de levantarse tempranisimo, del cansacio, de dormir mal, del dolor de pies, del sol, del calor, del hambre o sed, de sentirse sucios, del cafe feo, de verse y oler cortaditos, hay pequeños momentos inesperados en los que uno solo sonrie y explota x dentro y x fuera y x los poros y por las orejas y y por las ojeras y por todo lado, de lo feliz q se siente y esa sensacion tan buena hace que todo valga la pena tanto tanto!! wejepaa!
Sigan sonriendo x todo ladisimo!!
tomen muchas fotos y videos con la mente!! yo creo que son los mejores
y uds tambn son los mejores, haganse grandes, yo se que son unos valientes y van a sacar el talento tico caminante no tiesito, abracen a los compitas nicas que dejamos x ahi, que son unos soles y unas bellezas de personas, disfruten los pequeños timmys que le lleven y las pequeñas timmys y los hijos de los pequeños y las pequeñas timmys, peguen mucho porte y recuerden travonear cuando puedan xq di uno nunca sabe.
Me hacen falta como una entrepierna extraña a una pestaña o a dos!
Abrazos fuertiiisimos!! los extraño de verdades
tuti
for: Gilles Bouman, Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteHee gil!
Leuk! een berichtje! man, super vet om daar bovenop te staan!
Wij hebben nu twee munners bij ons thuis. Twee meisjes uit Barca die daar op een duitse school zitten. Super aardig. Maar hoe is het met jou man?
Weer nieuwe vrienden gemaakt? Geen whiners in de groep? Wel eindelijk een beetje een eerlijk verdeelde groep qua jongens en meisjes!
Met Teun ook alles goed, luistert prima en schaduwseizoen is gelukkig nog niet echt begonnen! Hou je taai en geniet van alle uitzichten, wel wat fotos maken he! Auf wiederholen! Dikke kus van Kien!
para: VANESA-DELTA,YANKY 1:
ReplyDeletesorry mi niña por dejarla estoy de lo mas awebado aqui, me van a combiar de proyecto por que mi rodilla ya no puede mas, la doctora dice que si la fuerzo mas me saldre lastimando mas y que dificil lo termine el trek, bueno pero le rindo mis onores desde ahorita por todo su valentia y coraje, vamos pa· lante que la vida es buena y para usted sera mejor, le agradesco por todo los momentos lindos que me hizo pasar y por su animos contajiosos que aunque este cansada los sigue repartiendo, creo que lo mejor que me paso en raleigh fue conocerla a usted y a todos los paisanos ticos sin dejar atras a mis hermanos nicas, creo que si la historia se contruyera en estos momentos tu seria la mujer ideal para representar la valentia de la mujer nica...
y como dice nuestro lema presidencia: VAMOS POR MAS VICTORIAS...
perdoneme por el mal momento que les hice pasar y saludeme a todo el grupo, digale que son de lo mejor y bueno nos miramos en el cambieo de face, okis....
att:larry (pierd)
Mags Chilaev Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteHey Maggis, another day in London has quietly slipped away without you. mum visited our dealer for a *brand new* couch today, it's standing outside at the moment next to the palm tree but all the cushions are in here. i wish i could fully asses the pros and cons of this new purchase with you
Mags Chilaev Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteHi Mags!!
You and your friends writing was really good and funny. I am missing you sooo much!:D Keep well away from Death, I don't want to see you with a missing leg. I see that your hair has been chopped off and I guess you won't need your surf wax gel anymore!
My friend Chloe came round and we went to the cinema with Maya to watch Megamind which was really funny! I also went to our school music concert which was really good and fun and I played my flute in it as well as the harmonica.
Maya is the Raleigh Blog Police around here.
Love yo lots
Cynthia xxxx
Mari Huws Jones Delta Yankee 5
ReplyDeleteHaia Mar
Gobeithio dy fod yn mwynhau bod efo'r teulu, a bod dy Sbaeneg a'r darllen oeddet ti wedi gwneud cyn mynd i Nicaragua yn help i ti gael sgyrsiau da efo nhw - a gobeithio fod y gwaith caled caib a rhaw yn mynd yn iawn!
Wedi archebu lle i ti yn Senghenydd, ac wedi gorfod rhoi 9 dewis arall (popeth ar gyfrifiadur, wnai o ddim gadael i mi gario mlaen os nad o'n i'n gwneud hyn). Rhoddais ail, trydydd dewis ayb yn seiliedig ar fod yn agos i bopeth.
Gwelais Lowri neithiwr! Aeth Dad a fi i noson 'Beirdd yn erbyn y Bom' - darlleniadau a chaneuon gan Ifor, Myrddin ap, Geraint Lovgreen ac eraill o farddoniaeth yn erbyn rhyfel - yn Medi - roedd o'n dda iawn, ac roedd Lowri yno efo'i mam a'i modryb Sioned. Fel wyt ti'n gwybod, mae wrth ei bodd yn Rhydychen. Mae'n mynd yn ol wythnos nesa am wythnos o rwyfo! Mae wedi gyrry llythyr atat ti, ond roedd yn meddwl efallai na fuasai'n cyrraedd, felly mae wedi gyrry copi yma hefyd.
Wel yr hen gar, lot yn holi amdanat. Braf clywed dy fod mor hapus. Gad i ni wybod pan fyddi'n gwybod pryd fyddi'n dod yn ol.
Cariad mawr
Mam xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Delta yankee 4
ReplyDeleteClaudia
Claud!! you look beatiful girl, sounds like you're having fun, you have a waterfall nearly! you don't need anything else, enjoy it!! have a good time there, give a big hug to lucylicious!!
i have been studying so much but eating an ice cream everything seems better!! i'm missing you girls and can't wait to hear your new gossips!
see you soon! love tuti
for sabina bridge, alpha yankee 6
ReplyDeleteHi Binko, hope all is going well, mother's day came and went, quietly! All the very best for the next couple of weeks, go go yankee 6!
See you pretty soon.
all our love, daddio & mammio xxx
To Harriet Marsh Delta Yankee 4
ReplyDeleteHappy Mothers Day from Piglet.
Donna has said she will pick you up on the 29th from Heathrow.
We are now at Delias Caravan, in New Forest, after going up to Alans for his birthday meal. Due to see Chris at weekend, after his retreat at Buckfastleigh Abbey.
Hope you ar enjoying your last few weeks on the project.
Missing you lots Mum, Dad and Rachael
Freya Lemon
ReplyDeleteFreyaaaaa, it's not long now till i get to see you again. I hope the last couple of weeks have been just as Amazing! I am on holiday now and have a whole 3 weeks off so will be around for your arrival home. You better not have a tan- or if you do I hope it is one with sock marks and t shirt lines!!The Sun is due to come back within the next week as well so hopefully it will come out for you when you get back. Anyhow hope you enjoy the last week or so, love you lots like jelly tots xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For Max, Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteHi son, hope you are having a great time and experience, Mum and I miss you a lot, but hope you will come back benefitting from the experience.
Dad
To Max Siteman Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteHey Maxy - think that we spotted you in the bridge picture but we could be wrong. Glad to hear that the trek is going well and that you are coming across such diverse things as snakes and showers. I am not surprised to hear that rations are small and appetites are big - you will need a good meal when you get back. We cant wait to hear all about your big adventure and have you back with us. All is well here but Dad has gout so not good. We went to Arsenal on Saturday and all they could manage was a 0-0 draw with Bolton. It was not a good match. Man U came back from 2-0 down to win 4-2 to West Ham and Chelsea drew. Leah is home and had a great time in Rome with James. John's book is out. Miss you lots and we send all our love to you. Say Hi to Mags for us. Mum, Dad and Leahxxxxxxx
Hey Alex Lingwood struggling with technology just finised writing a blog at the end of your housebuilding and realise your now in the jungle please look back to the otherone for news Love Dad
ReplyDeleteMags Chilaev DELTA YANKEE 1
ReplyDeleteJust received a letter from Donald Brookbeck AAAIIIITTTEEE!
no big deal, so casual, just a handwritten letter from Costa Rica, complete with dirt stains and a faint but distinct smell of body odour. nice.
oh Mags it made me miss you SO much. I was - am still!! - so excited - the letter has been perched on top of the all mighty fridge...from where it can cast down a knowing glance and... inspire...
as I examined the map you sent us and read the letter out loud for the third time (mum insisted I read it, she says we are one and the same for her - though her almost fainting with delight at the sight of your writing would suggest otherwise..) anyway as I read it, I felt the same tingle of excitement, the kind I only remember feeling back in chechnya, when we sat on the hot roof of the shed in nuna mama's house, you and asama targeting the next potential victims among the chickens in the apple orchard below, sabila curiously examining a green bottle neck sticking out of the soil...and all of us plotting our next exploits (war against The Neighbours vs. fire making and dinner preparation followed by the ritual dance..)
can you imagine the havoc we would wreak if it was you, asama, gera and I on camaronal for a week? with your connections in all the elite food circles and my refined culinary skills and asama's eccentric ways (and gera's expertise as an electrician..) we could build a kingdom...
speaking of me, I'm just sitting here lazily chewing on a bit of napoleon cake I made earlier...it's oozing boiled condenced milk, bit annoying, all sticky and delicious. mmm cold grapes. I'm going to stop before I write an essay xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Max Siteman - hey dude looks like you're having a sick time "bounding through the jungle", very jealous. This is dull and annoying but you didn't tell me your personal ID for your ucas so I can't check it for you, I emailed you last week about it but i guess you can't read it...I'll ask your dad if he knows or can find it on a letter somewhere, otherwise try and get back to me soonish.
ReplyDeleteIt is very lonely here without you, I think i might be swallowed up into a black hole of my own boredom soon.
Love you miss you
totie xx
Mags Chilaev Delta Yankee 1
ReplyDeleteBuena manano Maggita!! I am in Holland at the moment, in Utrecht visiting Emma (Van Selms!) and Caroline (Bixner) Emma says hi to Gilles (she played hokey with his sister Marjolein!)
It's really nice and sunny here, we went on a boat tour of Amsterdam yesterday and biked through the city, then we had dinner with all the dutchie girls and emma and i are going to an unlimited sushi place in Haarlem tonight, will be thinking of you trekking hardcore and hungry through the costa rican jungles. love you and miss you sooo much, p.s. Fabian has made me president of LSE surfing society haha for next year xxxxxx
Para: Yendrina Golondrina
ReplyDeleteDe: Karolina con K
Hey Yen! Chiquita ud ya hace mucha falta q guila esa Dora la exploradora...te fuiste para no volver lol, en serio espero q este creciendo mucho con estas experiencias, saludeme a Nacho también espero se acuerde de mi.
Bueno le cuento me voy a cumplir un sueño mañana veré en VIP a Shakira no se q pasara después de esto jajaja
Te quiero mucho amiga!
que convivencia tan larga jijij ñaca ñaca...bisous, je t'embrasse fort!!!