X-ray 6: mission to build stairs to the waterfall in Volcan Tenorio National Park
Mission update (1):
X-ray 6 has been working hard on the mission in hand. Each individual has played a vital role in the development of the path towards the baby blue waterfall of the park. No job is too tough!
Days 1-2 we prepared camp to make a jungle into a home: chopping bamboos from the forest, gathering wood, building our hammocks, the place looked great, even our kitchen area was great where our Michelin star chefs could do their cooking. Also as Roeland was injured due to the previous phase, he would become everyone’s mommy!
Days 3-6 the task in hand was to move materials to the place of construction, the only way of getting there was by foot on a trail that was muddy, slippery and wet. It isn’t called the rainforest for nothing! The team were up for the challenge, carrying heavy bags of sand on their shoulders, with a few members slipping, especially Ben C, whose balance isn’t great at the best of times! We created a Raleigh Chain all the way up the 1.5km path working from 8-3, 1hr for lunch; the team were putting in a shift.
And when they returned back to camp, Mummy (Roeland) would´ve cleaned, made improvements and have dinner ready. Inside that tough Dutch exterior, was a man who is kind, soft hearted and loveable (he does not like this being disclosed (I really don`t!!))
Days 6: With Roeland returning back to work, he had a point to prove carrying sacks like the soldier he is! Tim (the Scottish machine) was carrying plenty of sacks a day and always running too, even when others had become tired.
A low point had hit X-ray 6 as one day the productivity output was low, so a change was in order. Roeland with the idea altered the Raleigh chain and increased output by triple. The team were moving many sacks of sand per day and were ahead of schedule.
However a twist occurred in X-ray 6`s fortune: the weather! It became more and more wet, people’s hammocks were being turned into swimming pools, and it was raining most of the day. The trail had become too treacherous, so X-ray 6 had to suspend work. Morale was down and the team were wet and everyone had wet feet! The team had to abandon camp and moved into the Ranger Station, where they could get dry and recover.
No need to worry! The Team was filled with people who would entertain and boost morale. With Maria and her wit, and her mothering of the group, Max with his dancing and singing creating songs! George and his comic personality always keeping everyone entertained. Mercedes, whose work ethic everyone can look up to and whose voice that one can listen to all day. Allegra´s wonderful smile and happy personality making everyone feel better.
Sonia´s great dancing, which she is teaching as well as her great game jungle speed is keeping us all entertained (although she always wins...). Gustavo and Pamela, the two Ticos always translating for us, we could not do this job without them as well as Gustavo’s cheery personality and Pamela’s great strength (she does kickboxing!) we now realise why we love Costa Rica! Tim’s humour and stories always make the team laugh. Simon’s many roles, that he likes to use and Ben M, who has a look that could kill, but poses no threat. Hannah, who seems quiet, but once out of the shell she is a great person.
Last but not least the Project Managers, Amanda and Roeland, without them X-ray 6 would be no more, excellent morale boosters and good at keeping the team in order.
With all the members playing a great role in the team, x-ray6 are all happy and enjoying their time.
Entertainment in the evenings have been excellent, with Ben C´s shaving of the bead as well as a Quiz that George, Sonia, Ale and Gustavo won, x-ray 6 are not bored.
X-ray 6 reporting out. Status: all well and healthy, having a great time. Will report back in a few days.
Pura Vida!
