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News » Raleigh Alphas Back at Base Camp
Raleigh Alphas Back at Base Camp
TVC's Raleigh Venturers, Luke and Kelly, return to base camp on completion of phase one of their South American adventure
Luke Smalley and Kelly Robinbson with the Alpha groups of Operation Raleigh in Costa Rica have returned back to field base each having accomplished something very special with their time. So much hard work and effort has been put into these projects; targets have been reached, cultures have been absorbed and new friendships have been made.
Luke Smalley - Alpha 1
We’ve done it! After more than two weeks of heat, deet, rain and pain, we’ve finally arrived at the beach and journey’s end. The feeling of completing what is widely acknowledged to be the most demanding of Raleigh’s trek phases is virtually indescribable. In fact, I think you’d have to have walked the width of a country on foot in order to comprehend the elation that’s etched on each of our faces; and that shared quality to our happiness is perhaps what makes our achievement all the sweeter; we’ve done this not as individuals, but as a team. Our arduous path, with all its verdant vistas and dark forest paths has led each of us at one time or another into our own personal lows. Yet time and time again, we helped each other to our feet and now we share the sort of bond that perhaps only a quiet and knowing nod can do justice to.And what of the seed bed of all of this, Costa Rica herself? Well, I can only talk of this country’s landscape and its fortunate inhabitants in superlatives. Rest assured that few places I have seen offer the weary trekker such rich sensory feasts or more humbling kindness. Perhaps the character of Costa Rica can be best illustrated by the saint like couple who, having spotted our company lunching by the roadside, slowed their vehicle, stopped, wound down their window and promptly offered us two night’s accommodation in their holiday home – a charming residence with mountain views of such visual power that, on looking at them, I fell into a stunned silence. It seems that on the topic of Costa Rica and Costa Ricans, I have nothing to add.
Kelly Robinson - Alpha 6
If you'd ask Alpha 6 what they'd expected from this project three weeks ago, you'd probably have recieved a reply containing the words 'tortilla', 'spanglish' and 'building a bit of a community centre.' We wouldn't have been wrong, but absolutely nothing could have prepared us for the intense manual labour, cultural learnings, largely weather-induced lows and epic highs we've soldiered through in the past 19 days. Worksite-wise, we've spent 8 hour days carrying sand and gravel over a hill, digging out trenches for the foundations, mixing infinite cement, stacking bricks, sawing, twisting, complaining and high-fiving to complete definately way more than half a community centre! The boys struggled to maintain an average of one shower a week. Meals consisted of the same five ingredients, squished and fried into new delicacies of impressive imagination. But our time in Miraflor was awesome and unforgettable. From perks like a quick dip in a waterfall to a trip to a cigar factory in Esteli, cheering fashion moments (Alfie's skirt and Cam's ginger tashe') and watching Claire struggle to discourage various Nicaraguan admirers. There was hardly a dry eye in the entire group when we waved goodbye to our Nicaraguan families. Was it all worth the forty hours on the bus? Would we do it again? The answer to all that readers is "Yes yes yes!"
Luke Smalley - Alpha 1
We’ve done it! After more than two weeks of heat, deet, rain and pain, we’ve finally arrived at the beach and journey’s end. The feeling of completing what is widely acknowledged to be the most demanding of Raleigh’s trek phases is virtually indescribable. In fact, I think you’d have to have walked the width of a country on foot in order to comprehend the elation that’s etched on each of our faces; and that shared quality to our happiness is perhaps what makes our achievement all the sweeter; we’ve done this not as individuals, but as a team. Our arduous path, with all its verdant vistas and dark forest paths has led each of us at one time or another into our own personal lows. Yet time and time again, we helped each other to our feet and now we share the sort of bond that perhaps only a quiet and knowing nod can do justice to.And what of the seed bed of all of this, Costa Rica herself? Well, I can only talk of this country’s landscape and its fortunate inhabitants in superlatives. Rest assured that few places I have seen offer the weary trekker such rich sensory feasts or more humbling kindness. Perhaps the character of Costa Rica can be best illustrated by the saint like couple who, having spotted our company lunching by the roadside, slowed their vehicle, stopped, wound down their window and promptly offered us two night’s accommodation in their holiday home – a charming residence with mountain views of such visual power that, on looking at them, I fell into a stunned silence. It seems that on the topic of Costa Rica and Costa Ricans, I have nothing to add.
If you'd ask Alpha 6 what they'd expected from this project three weeks ago, you'd probably have recieved a reply containing the words 'tortilla', 'spanglish' and 'building a bit of a community centre.' We wouldn't have been wrong, but absolutely nothing could have prepared us for the intense manual labour, cultural learnings, largely weather-induced lows and epic highs we've soldiered through in the past 19 days. Worksite-wise, we've spent 8 hour days carrying sand and gravel over a hill, digging out trenches for the foundations, mixing infinite cement, stacking bricks, sawing, twisting, complaining and high-fiving to complete definately way more than half a community centre! The boys struggled to maintain an average of one shower a week. Meals consisted of the same five ingredients, squished and fried into new delicacies of impressive imagination. But our time in Miraflor was awesome and unforgettable. From perks like a quick dip in a waterfall to a trip to a cigar factory in Esteli, cheering fashion moments (Alfie's skirt and Cam's ginger tashe') and watching Claire struggle to discourage various Nicaraguan admirers. There was hardly a dry eye in the entire group when we waved goodbye to our Nicaraguan families. Was it all worth the forty hours on the bus? Would we do it again? The answer to all that readers is "Yes yes yes!"
Pictured: Above, Kelly and aquiet moment. Below, Luke with som Alpah1 friends. Posted on 27/07/2011 by TVC News Team