Arrival into Costa Rica went without a hitch, flights and connections ran smoothly. Although it still freaks me out being that high in the sky and having no control over it. Ross (program manager/scottish!!!) met us at the airport where we arranged cabs to Costa Rica backpackers. We being myself, Emma S, Nimrat, Piers and Ian all Project staff. On arrival they hadn't heard of us although Ross was adamant he'd had a 20 min conversation with them earlier in the day. We have truely arrived in Central america!!! After checking in dropping the bags off in our room we headed [View Full Entry]

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July 18th 2007 Up early, well id been up half the night didn't sleep to well, 0700 its a lie in to what i'm used to now, although its 1400 UK time. The Country Director met us we loaded a couple of 4WD's and made our way to Field Base, home for the duration of the project, in Catie in the area of Volcan Turrialba. An imposing volcanoe not exactly dormant. We arrived roughly 2 hours later after a lengthy 60 km journey over pretty bumpy roads not your typical UK roads. We were met by the rest of the team [View Full Entry]

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Alarm went off at 0630, shame i had already been up for 2 hours!!! Had my first shower today, seems theres only one tap and its not a hotone!!! My it was cold the sort of cold that takes your breath away, some say its refreshing i say its COLD. After breakfast we covered setting up the entire radio system including finding a location for the antenna which you have to hang from a tree. I'll include a pic at some point. We also ran through such things as SITREP's these are situation reports that are sent in each day from [View Full Entry]

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It seems that beating the alarm in the morning is becoming a game. There is a general buzz around field base today as we get prepped for the two days trekking ahead of us. First we have another raido lesson this time its on CASEVAC, this is a casulty evacuation procedure and the way todeal with a serious injury or medical issue. Vital for us all to know. 0900 were off, its hot the suns out and im carrying over 20 Kg on my back wearing trousers and long sleeves to keep the sun off all in all by the time [View Full Entry]

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Since arriving here on tuesday morning life has been very busy for Dave and I!!! I will find some time to fill you in on all the dteails soon but to keep you going this is the Raleigh International blog site. I can not guarentee the contents of this site so be warned. Hope you are all very well, 4T enjoy your final week at school, missing you all lots and lots, as I am the rest of the school. Right its getting time i went to bed, we slept in the jungle last night after a 12km hike yesterday in [View Full Entry]

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What a day, how surreal, you will have to excuse my spelling it is 2320 local time (0621) UK time so you will just be getting up!!!! i've now been up 25 1/2 hours. Since finishing school on friday life has not yet calmed down at all. A great night out wih friends from school, Saturday was spent buying a few essentials, Sat. night in London with little sis and friends. Sunday more shopping then packing then chilling... Monday i woke up a little confused, what no school to go to! I was quite confused and i think it dawned on [View Full Entry]

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Hey its actually Friday a bit behind again. Will get to that later. Monday saw the HCP's arrive, for the rest of us thats Host Countriy Participants. It is the other string to Raleigh's bow. They sponsor up to 20 locals to join in the expedition. Which other wise the would not be able to afford or have the opportunity to do this. We have 7 joining us this time. Only issue is they don't speak English, which is a little presumptuous, and i can not speak Spanish. One even asked me if I didn't want to learn, through a translator, [View Full Entry]

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We awoke with the knowledge that the particpants arrived today. A whole lot of new people to add to the air of what [View Full Entry]

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Unfortunatley my entire blog has been lost due to an unforseen crash with the providers main server. Feeling pretty low about that at the mo as i had anticipated to use the website as my main journal. Hindsight dictates i should have backed it up. Note to self back everything up. well it is 1042 pm Costa Rica time. Im on 24 hour radio duty in case of emergency at any of the project sites. Much has happened since my last entry, but not quite feeling the love at the mo to write vast amounts. You can drop me a mail [View Full Entry]

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Hey its actually Friday a bit behind again. Will get to that later. Monday saw the HCP's arrive, for the rest of us thats Host Countriy Participants. It is the other string to Raleigh's bow. They sponsor up to 20 locals to join in the expedition. Which other wise the would not be able to afford or have the opportunity to do this. We have 7 joining us this time. Only issue is they don't speak English, which is a little presumptuous, and i can not speak Spanish. One even asked me if I didn't want to learn, through a translator, [View Full Entry]

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