Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Alpha 5 Blog Report!

Sunday, 10 July 2011

Alpha 5 Blog Report!

Another blog report has made it's way over to fieldbase, this time from Joanna in Delta 5! Here is a quick catch up straight from the darkest depths of the jungle!

Alpha 5 based at jungle camp in La Cangreja National Park. We have spent the last 3 days repairing the camp; clearing the area, cutting down bamboo with machetes’ to use for constructing basher beds and creating luxurious toilets! In the afternoons we head up the river to the Jacuzzi for a much needed wash. In the short time we have been here we have already met at lot of wildlife, including a toucan, poison dart frogs, and a massive tarantula!

So, it's so far so good for Alpha 5. They are settling well into nature and enjoying living life on the wild side, literally. The team are happy, healthy and enjoying work in the park... and the Jacuzzi at the end of the day helps i'm sure!

Pura vida!

*Blog written by Dawn Tennant and photo’s by Kat Mammone, unless otherwise stated.

22 comments:

Anonymous10 July 2011 at 15:31
Chris T - Alpha 5
Just caught up with your new blog.
Typical that you found a toucan straight away!
Mum not so sure about the tarantula!!
No, you can't bring back the poison dart frog for our pond!!
Love Dad and Mum
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Anonymous11 July 2011 at 08:40
Joanna -Alpha-5- Great blog update. So you are getting to know some of the local creatures. I hope you are taking some photos of them. Im sure the natural, jungle scented jacuzzi is better than any you'd find here. Good to hear from you. Mum XX
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Anonymous11 July 2011 at 15:32
Carla 'lil bert' Dunphy Alpha 5

Hiya babes Uncle G here.
Wow! I thought you was going to wok in Costa Coffee for 3 months, but this looks much better. Lol.
I've been follwing the expeition onine and read your blog about your birthday and seen the photos of your salsa party and your alpha groups. I've been keeping your dad updated. He is so so proud of you. Me, im so jealous, although i dont like the sound of some of your neighbours, a poison dart frog and a tarantula? ? ?
Big bert won a bet on Costa Rica im the Copa America football tournament.
Anyway babe Happy Birthday for last week and will check in again in the next couple of days.

Love you loads X and love from all the tribe X

Uncle G
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Anonymous11 July 2011 at 15:36
Carla 'lil bert' Dunphy Alpha 5

Hiya babes Uncle G here.
Wow! I thought you was going to wok in Costa Coffee for 3 months, but this looks much better. Lol.
I've been follwing the expeition onine and read your blog about your birthday and seen the photos of your salsa party and your alpha groups. I've been keeping your dad updated. He is so so proud of you. Me, im so jealous, although i dont like the sound of some of your neighbours, a poison dart frog and a tarantula? ? ?
Big bert won a bet on Costa Rica im the Copa America football tournament.
Anyway babe Happy Birthday for last week and will check in again in the next couple of days.

Love you loads X and love from all the tribe X

Uncle G
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Anonymous12 July 2011 at 06:28
Hola Sara,

Sounds like a great adventure. Hope you haven't had too many spiders in your tent! I think about you every day. :)

Hope you're having a great time. Can't wait to see the next blog.

Love you lots,

Suzie (and Ted)xxxx
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Liz Tulloch12 July 2011 at 10:27
Mitchell Tulloch Alpha 1
Hi Mitch and all of Alpha 1 we are keeping track of you, and you all look to be having a great adventure. Keep up the good work, hope the school is finished before the term starts Ha Ha. we await the next blog. Take care of yourselves. Liz Tulloch
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Anonymous12 July 2011 at 14:09
message for ELLIOT BARTHOLOMEW

Hi Elliot!!

I am just messaging to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the 15th July!! TWENTY THREE YEARS OLD!!!

I hope you have a good day!! I MISS U AND HOPE THIS MESSAGE GETS TO YOU

Sophie xxxx
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Anonymous12 July 2011 at 15:15
For TIM HALES!!!
Hi ya brat!!! It's big sis (and hugo blogging!) Hope everything is going well - looks like your having a brillaint time!!! Mum and Dad are off cruising around the med and so me and Robbie are hugo sitting at home!
I'm very jelous of all your adventures - keep smiling and having the time of your life!! Looks fantastic (P.S., Mum is very impressed with the salsa dancing hehe - as you can imagine!!)

Miss you and love you lots,

Sal xxxxx
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Anonymous13 July 2011 at 00:40
Message for Elliot Bartholomew, Alpha 2.

Not sure this is getting through as we have tried posting twice, but have not been able to see them posted.

Anyway, once again, have a Happy Birthday for the 15 July!

As always, missing you and, hopefully, talk/email soon.

Enjoy yourself.

Mum & Dad
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Anonymous13 July 2011 at 14:49
Claire Barnsley Alpha 5
Hi Tink!
Just getting ready for our journey home.Jonnie gone, Hanny here! Jonnie spent most of the time at the Montreux festival - loved it. Your little brother did manage to fly home all on his own but is the house safe in his hands?!! Hanny took us on a long walk yesterday - we hobbled, she ran! All good here. Keep well and don't bring back a pet tarantula!
Miss you and love you lots
mum, dad, n han xxx
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Anonymous18 July 2011 at 16:59
werner calderon ALPHA 5
q tal la cangreja men buen proyecto increible espero esten demasiado bien saludos a yisbell los quiero y los veo por el blog espero todo sea deacachimba y disfruten los veo pronto mua :*
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Anonymous19 July 2011 at 12:45
Hey Chris cuz! just checking out the progress of Alpha 5!! mow very intrepid! really exciting to imagine you hanging out in the jungle right now! I was thinking how much i'd like to be out there with you...then i read about the tarantula! The only scary thing i deal with on a daily business is the students! Miss you heaps, Rachel xx
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Clive21 July 2011 at 04:10
Jodie Wall (Delta 4)

Hi Jodie; have sent you a postcard from Australia as I got shipped down here at short notice so sort something out. All done now and taking a day off to look around Melbourne before flying back on Friday night (22 July). Been keeping an eye on the Blogs and reports but the information coming back about your team has been sparse. It sounds as though you are doing a worthwhile job though and hopefully having fun in the process.
I love and miss you very much. Dad xxxx (see, I can remember kisses)
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Anonymous21 July 2011 at 04:11
Please give us more information and pictures of Delta 4. There is very very little for us families to look at for progress.
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Anonymous24 July 2011 at 14:40
Carla Dunphy aka lil bert Alpha 5

Hey sister I'm so happy I got to see lots of photo's of you on the blog today!!! It looks like your having an amazing time know i say this in every message but i really am so proud of you...Your the most coolest sister in the world haha haven't seen any of my messages on the blog wall so I hope your getting them!! look forward to seeing more pics and reading about your amazing adventure keep up the good work kiddo!!! love you loads and loads Your Big Sis xxxxx ps Wayne said he's got a tuna pasta bake waiting in the oven for when you get home haha xxx
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Anonymous27 July 2011 at 12:57
Alpha 5 Carla Dunphy

Hi Carla Warla hope your ok missing you loads. Terri has just showed me the pics of you! you look really well and happy! everything back here is ok! love you loads love mum xxxx
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Anonymous27 July 2011 at 14:56
CARLA(CLARKSON)DUNPHY(BERT) !!!!!!HEY SISTER PURA VIDA :D x TELL EVERYONE AM OK LOVE YA x ITS AMAZING x
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Anonymous31 July 2011 at 12:21
Carla Dunphy Alpha 5

Hey Beautiful sister of mine!! made up your loving it over there!! I've gave Pauline my e.mail address for you!! I'm proper countin the days until your home missing you loads!! can't wait to hear all your stories!! hope your taking some good pics too!! LOVVVVVVVE YOUUUUUU!!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Anonymous31 July 2011 at 12:27
Carla Dunphy Alpha 5

proud of you carla hunni. miss u lots x keep doin what u doin xxx come and meet gary wen ur home nice meal in our tezs she wont mind wayne can cook haha x love u lots xxxx love stacey xxxx
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Anonymous3 August 2011 at 09:25
alpha5 carla dunphy my lil berti hi carla dad here looks amazin there ye look so happy and well so happy for ye im fine thinking of you every day iknow ye loving it and making nice friends and doing good for the people out there everyone here is good i sent a message last week did ye get it anyway bye for now love you loads dad xxxxxxxx ps try send me message x
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Anonymous9 August 2011 at 12:23
Carla Dunphy Alpha 5
Hey Sister!! Not long until your home Cant wait to see you!! I've been checking my e.mails every day to see if youv'e messaged me but I think your still in the jungle!! Hope your still loving it out there every picture I see of you tells me you are <3 There's pure riots going on over here London is the worst but there was loads here to and there expecting tonight to be worse...madness!!! Can't wait for you to see all my bits and bobs for the nest!! FAB :-) and i've nearly finished getting my mas presents (mad head i know) but other than that I've got no news to report!!! love you loads sis xxxxxxxx
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Anonymous12 August 2011 at 15:20
ALPHA 5 CARLA DUNPHY
HEY SIS IM JUST ABOUT TO GO TO BED AND WANTED TO SAY 'GOODNIGHT SWEETDREAMS I LOVE YOU. HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY NICE SLEEP AND A VERY NICE DREAM.....I WON' CANT BLOODY WAIT TO SEE YOU!!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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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?”