Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Venturers 1 Jungle 0

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Venturers 1 Jungle 0

The venturers are back at fieldbase after their first night in the jungle and while they were tired, muddy, and a little wet there were still smiles on their faces. No one was going to let the jungle defeat them.

Having left fieldbase with rucksacks perfectly packed and navigation tips ringing in their ears, the teams trekked for an hour or so before reaching their campsite for the night. Alpha 1 and 2 were in tents for the night but for the other teams it was basha beds (see Raleigh lingo) and hammocks.

With expert advice from the PMs camp was set up: beds, group tarp, short drop etc…Thankfully this was all done before the heavens opened for an almighty storm. Now there is no greater test of the quality of a basha bed and its tarp cover than a Costa Rican storm…and it has to be said some beds failed the test! However, while it was a steep learning curve for many, spirits remained remarkably high.

The night survived, alarm call was at 3.30am, camp broken, breakfast eaten and no trace of our presence left in the jungle. It was then onto tools training before the venturers went through a mock CASEVAC. This involved radioing filedbase to report an injury and then stretchering the ‘injured’ person to suitable meeting point.

With all the tidying up done, there were some health and safety talks today before a salsa night led by some of our Costa Rican PMs.

With the training in full flow, time is flying by and the Alpha groups will be deploying on Saturday, so only one more full day of preparation to go!

Keeping dry under the group tarp!

Basha beds!

All smiles - the return!

Casevac training

17 comments:

Anonymous13 October 2011 at 20:08
Para: Bruce ALPHA 6
De: Vanessa Alonso
Hola Bruce!! bienvenido a Nicaragua, esto es por si cuando venga p0r aca no nos podamos ver y no le hagamos la recivida que se merece!! jejeje, proyecto comunitario, ya hable con larry y haremos lo posible por irlo a ver cuando este en el cebollal, asi k ahi nos vidrios!!
abrazos xxx
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Nana Abarca13 October 2011 at 21:34
para jesus jimenez valverde 11L: chuta!! ya vio de que nombre tienen cara cada uno de sus compañeros de raleigh? jaja kevin ojala sea la experiencia de su vida el proximo mensaje va chiste cuidese lo quiero!!

atte: nana (karina)
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Emily13 October 2011 at 23:41
Alice Hall Alpha 5
Yo Alice hope you're having a fantastic time and that it wasn't your bed that collapsed! We're all missing you already! Lots of love, your favourite sister! xxx
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Brigitte de Vos14 October 2011 at 05:58
To Marette de Vos , 11L, Alpha 5
OK lieverd, nu kan ook voor jou op ontspannen wijze het feest beginnen !!! Net op tijd , een dag voor vertrek met je groep kwam je rugzak aan.....zenuwslopend !!! Dank voor je lieve smsje ......heeft me ontroerd !!!!
Samen sterk , pop, zo werkt dat !! Kus, mama
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Debbie M14 October 2011 at 06:57
To Clare Jones 11L Alpha 4

Hi Clare, Hope you survived your first night in the jungle despite the rain. As soon as I get into work I read the blog - I'm off next week so I don't know what I will do without my comp although we are going to take Phil's lap top with us to Cornwall. I'm looking forward to having a break even though the weather is supposed to be getting colder and wet! (isn't that typical, whenever I go on holiday it rains!). Today the weather is lovely and sunny and still quite mild. I've got Saffy tomorrow for the day and we're going to be busy doing my packing etc. altho we'll probably find time to go to the park. Its good to see you on the blogs, keep smiling and enjoy looking after the turtles. take care love Mum xx
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SophyPodKim14 October 2011 at 08:20
Hi Poppy (Alpha 3) It's great to be able to see photos of you all so soon. Your face in one photo certainly tells a story - I wonder what you're thinking! I hope you're able to enjoy your time regardless of the rain/insects and are looking forward to climbing that mountain, it looks amazing. Love Soph xxx
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Anonymous14 October 2011 at 09:21
To Delun Jones 11L Alpha 4
Hi Delun, hope your first nite in the jungle was "exciting"-I imagine that I wouldnt have slept at all! Hope u did. Everyone rugby mad here ready for tomoro. 50,000 free tickets given away for the millenium stadium's big screen showing. Kai and Cara are going. Stu getting stressed! We are selling out of flags and inflatables! Miss u loads, hope u enjoyed the salsa nite. Lots of love, Mam, Stu and all.
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Martijn van Doorn14 October 2011 at 10:21
To Reinier van Doorn 11L Alpha 3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Annelies, Martijn, Thomas en Vledder
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Janet Walker14 October 2011 at 11:15
To Nichola Walker (Alpha 6)
We are really enjoying looking at the blog and hearing about your jungle adventures! Gutted to miss you at the internet cafe last night! I've replied but not sure you'll get it for a while!
Hope the journey to Miraflor is not too arduous and that the project is rewarding!
We have been to Auschwitz today - quite a sobering day out! Freezing cold too! Off for dinner now but will check computer later just in case you are online! R thinks she is having the most boring time of all in the libe! Safe travels! Love Mum and Dad x
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Anonymous14 October 2011 at 13:09
Millie Pierce alpha 5,
Hello! Hope you're glasses are still in one piece after all that rain - I can imagine you trying to find the screw on the jungle floor somewhere... just like in France! My alternative career is so going to be a hairdresser, tomorrow I've been asked to cut Stuart's and Louis' hair... I'll keep you posted on my progress... Miss you tons.... love Catherine xxxxx
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Vollebregt14 October 2011 at 14:14
Test voor Alpha2 Eleonore
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Eilidh & Rach14 October 2011 at 17:33
Alice Hall Alpha 5
Hey loooooosssaaaa!
Missing you already. Me and Rach went to Giraffe tonight and had that hilarious American waitor that went "HEEEELLLLAAAW!" (wish i could send a voice clip of my impression) we couldn't stop laughing. Made me think of us killing ourselves laughing there last Saturday hehe. He said after our main courses "Would you like something sweet to get those taste buds tingling?"
Good luck on your bus journey tomorrow.
Also, please don't take up the habit that you did while we were in Africa of being sick right outside the tent at 6am EVERY morning (hehehehehehe). We (Rach) won't be there this time to make you feel better. I'll still be asleep as usual!
Just joking, hope you are having an amazing time already!
Love you
Eilidh & Rach
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Seloni Sodha15 October 2011 at 01:33
To Monisha Sodha ALPHA 5
Hey Moni,
Ich hoff es goht dir guet und dr Räge macht dr nit allzu fescht z'schaffe. Hoff au das es nit dis Bett gsi isch wo im Dschungel nass worden isch! Es isch ächt guet do jede Tag chönä z'läse was ihr so mached...verzell au allne bim Schaffe drvo was du grat machsch, sind also alli uffem laufende :-)
Danke für dis Gschänk,ha mich ächt gfreut und es sind alli mega niidisch druff ;-) D'Pro-Inne Stadt Guetschiin sind au scho alli wäg, es het grat en mega ussverkauf cha im Esprit:-)
Also ich muess widdr go schaffe (bi in Züri in dr Apothek) :-)aberich mäld mich denne widdr bald!
Hoff euri Expedition uff Nicaragua wird nit allzu lang verschobe, s'Projekt tönt uff jedefall mega spannend.
Love, Didi
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Trevor Littlewood15 October 2011 at 01:39
Jonathan Littlewood, alpha 5..Great photo on the blog - hope your Basha held up to the rain! Thanks for the email - hope you can get through the rain to Nicaragua to install the water supply. Have a fantastic time and keep the mozzies away. Missing you. I'll give Katie a ring next week to see if she wants to come over for curry. Love, dad. ps wicked haircut!
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Anonymous16 October 2011 at 11:50
for robert farmer, alpha 1- hi rob, hope you're having a great time so far and making lots of new friends. We are all well here, dexter just had a little op so he has to wear a cone round his neck and looks really funny. I only have a week left at work then I get to put my feet up before the baby comes! Granny told us she is missing you- lol! Keep working hard, lots of love danielle, dean, dexter and baby D. X x p.s what the heck are you wearing on your head in that picture!!
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Anonymous16 October 2011 at 18:38
para:Cristiany Alexander ALPHA4
de: anabella. que onda cristiany un saludo para vos que la estes pasando muy bien, sobre todo aprendiendo mucho ingles, que lo disfrutes.... pasala lo mejor posible!!! todos en la casa te mandan saludos joseph tambien te manda saludos
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Mum - Norma17 October 2011 at 02:28
For Molly Sandquest - Alpha 6
Hi Molly,
Monday morning 9am here. This time last week we were racing down the M4! What a difference a week makes! I was glad to see the smiley photos of you and know that you had arrived safely. Phew! Sorry to read the weather has kept you at fieldbase but you should be on your way now, so just hoping all's well and you can crack on with the project in Nicaragua. Stay well and have an amazing time!
A little less exciting here... we had a blast down to Bournemouth on the motorbikes yesterday, hot and sunny!
Thinking of you lots. Keep smiling, even if you are a bit soggy. Lots of love Mum. X
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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?”