Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Job well done!

Monday, 1 August 2011

Job well done!

Hello to everyone at home,

Charlie 1 (Gordano's) have just returned to field base after spending two amazing weeks on our project site in Kuchey. We are proud to announce our Comedor has been completed successfully!


One fully functioning Comedor!


with a snazzy mural

Inside view of the building.

Some local children.

We had a lovely last day which included having an opening ceremony for the building with the local community, being cooked for on a banana leaf and playing with a piñata.

Opening ceremony.

Banana leaf dinner.

While we were on project we celebrated Ollie’s birthday and even managed to make a cake. On the way to field base we stopped to have a swim in the Caribbean sea.


Group antics!

We are now preparing for trek and are looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday morning.

Back safe and sound at field base and preparing for trek.

Written by Dan and Ellie. Photos by Ellie Thornhill.

Goodbye, Charlie 1 xxx

13 comments:

the Johnstons2 August 2011 at 00:26
Oliver Johnston, Charlie 1.

Finally, photos! So you haven't been eaten by giant tarantulas ...! Great to see you all looking well and smiling! The Comedor looks brilliant - no more DIY for Dad now, you have been officially promoted from mowing the lawn LOL :) Victoria has been doing your paper round (without moaning!) She said she misses you - wow! Your legs look well eaten by mozzies :( - don't scratch! or is it mud?

You should be really proud of yourself Ollie, we are.
enjoy your Robinson Crusoe adventure. Itll be a piece of cake in comparison to the last two weeks.
Lots of love from all of us. Mum, Dad, Hamish, Victoria, and of course Douglas. Xxx

P.s. Will a a good roast waiting for you Sunday! :) xxx
ReplyDelete
Replies
Helena Brown2 August 2011 at 00:44
To Aadam Sarkar, Charlie 1

General well done to everyone! Looking crazy good! I wish I was doing something useful!

Sarkar, everybody misses you! The boys and I mainly, but I'm sure Glen does as well! Missing you an awful lot, and just realised I'll be at work when you get back so I won't be able to greet you! You're coming home so soon, which is great, but it means my driving test is also close, which is scary! I watched Horrible Bosses with Roisin and Bessie - much funnier than Bridesmaids. I'll watch that with you when you get back, as well as Harry Potter...in 3D. Also, there's a fifth Final Destination. I refuse to watch that. Eyes eyes eyes!

Anyway, it's nice to see your hair isn't silly long! Haha! I look forward to seeing you on the 7th! Dad's birthday can come second to you coming home, what?

Besos! Helena xxxxxx

P.s. I got the mac fixed!
ReplyDelete
Replies
neil and lesley2 August 2011 at 01:02
For Ellie Charlie 1
It looks like you are having a great time. The building looks really good. Did you teach the children to sing??
Nice Paxos beach pose in the photo!
We are really missing you and looking forward to seeing you on Sunday. Enjoy the rest of your time there.
love you loads
mum, dad, wilamina (who hasnt been on your bed once since you left!)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDelete
Replies
Sue Jones2 August 2011 at 07:40
Alfie Carapiet, Romeo 1.
Alex had his job interview today - apparently it went really well - its between him and two others he will know by the end of the week. Keep your fingers crossed.... Warm and a bit rainy today - but not as warm and not as rainy as it probably is with you!! Just going up to Isabelles for carrot cake and tea.

Will write again later.

Love from all here!!
Love SueXX
ReplyDelete
Replies
Sherolyn2 August 2011 at 10:59
To Emma Black (Romeo 7) Alright cuz! The blog is making your trip look beautifully FABULOUS! Hope you're living the pure life & enjoying every moment of it! Lots of love, Sherolyn Xx
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous2 August 2011 at 12:29
Grace Minns Romeo 2
Hello Grace how are you getting on. It has beenvery hot today I hope it has stopped raining with you.How are the bugs and creepiestreating you? Always thinking of you love G G chicky xxxx
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous2 August 2011 at 15:57
Jasmine A.M. Furbert Romeo 3

Hello Jasmine. How are you progressing? I still can’t find the keys. Where else should I look? Kimberly from my job is in Costa Rica, I let her know that you are in the vicinity of Rincon de la Vieja National Park in case she’s in the area. We had a good time over the holiday weekend. Beach first day, Cup Match the next, and Non-Mariners with Jaden on Sunday. Jaden is at a summer camp at Whites Island now. A picture of him was in the Bermuda Sun last week. It’s posted on the fridge next to your group graduation picture in the Gazette. It’s so great to see pictures of you having fun and keep sending emails when able.

Love Dad.
ReplyDelete
Replies
The Kimberleys2 August 2011 at 16:08
Dan Kimberley, Charlie 1
Wow well done everyone it looks amazing. So nice to see pictures of you Dan, it looks like you've been having a great time but it is going to be sooooooo good to see you on Sunday..... can't wait. Love Mum & Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous3 August 2011 at 05:41
Ellie Thornhill, Charlie 1

ELLLLIIIIEEEEE this is a message from the Farnalls and Cook. To fill you in, MAJOR NEWS about a certain Miss Carmody, we rocked the harbour fest last week as per [but there were no fireworks which was obviously because you weren't there], they've turned the fountains pink outside the Hippodrome for Legally Blonde, all three of us dedicated our trip to you. Quite a lot of gossip but me and Jof are writing a collection of things to tell you upon your return ;)

Apart from that, WE MISS YOU SO MUCH, you are still looking pretty fresh so no worries there, MEGA appreciation for the jumping into the sea photo, just think about Pen-y-fan if you don't see eye to eye with the trek, see you when you get back!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous3 August 2011 at 10:12
Claire Syme Romeo 6
Hi Claire hope everything is going well on phase 2. Hopefully we will see some more photos in a few days. How is the mud? Everything here is fine. Laura had her 17th yesterday and was out with Sophie and Sam. She says hi. Weather at home mixed as usual, today is nice tomorrow wet. Usual Scottish summer. Lots of love Dad, Mum, Laura
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous3 August 2011 at 12:25
Francesca Payne - Romeo 1

Aunty Mandy has tracked you down - marvellous how technology works. Gosh I sound like an ole codger...well compared to you I spose I am ;D. Hope your having a fab time - need to see some photos with you in them x Take it easy and enjoy your time there. Love Manda, Adam, Aidan and nor forgetting Mad Dog Harvey xxx
ReplyDelete
Replies
Cat Alabaster3 August 2011 at 12:26
For Tim Hales Romeo 4: Hey Tim! How are you? Hope everything is going well. I just got back home today and it is sooo nice to be warm, dry and finally clean with some awesome food (not that I'm trying to make you jealous or anything!) I've had the best time and a bit gutted to be home- clearly 7 weeks is the way forward! One of the our trek groups said they bumped into your lot the other day at one of the environmental projects- heard the trek nearly killed you! Bit sad I didn't get to see you or at least say bye but looking forward to hearing all your stories when you're back! Enjoy the rest of your time out there! Cat xx p.s the 8 hour plane ride home was just not the same!
ReplyDelete
Replies
The Southey Family3 August 2011 at 14:27
Tom Southey - Charlie 1.

It's great to see the photos. Well done to all of you for completing the project!
Enjoy the last few days, have a good journey back and we'll see you on Sunday.
Love Mum, Dad and Hannah
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Hi,

Thank you for visiting our blog. Comments are monitored daily and we will ensure messages are promptly delivered to your loved ones. Please ensure you state the name of the person to whom your message is addressed. This is so we don't miss any out. Muchas gracias!

Pura Vida!

How to send your loved ones a message

It's easy. Scroll down to the bottom of the most recent entry and click the comments link. A box will then appear where you can write your comment - please don't forget to tell us who the message is for including the full name and project group of the recipient. You can select name/URL from the dropdown menu to tell us who it's from (you can leave the URL blank if you wish). Finally, click on 'Post Comment' and you're done.

As you can imagine there are 180 volunteers so hundreds of messages for loved ones, no comments go live immediately and have to be moderated for appropriateness, so please do bare with us.

All comments that are pertinent to the post will be publshed and all personal messages will be delivered (even if they don't appear published). Messages mean a lot to all the volunteers; thank you for your continued support.

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?”