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fandomhigh2011-05-31 08:37 am
bootlessjane.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2011-05-31 08:37 am
Your African Expedition Adventure!, Tuesday, Period Four [ 05/31 ].
Jane's original intention for today's class was water procurement, but, to be quite honest, she was getting a little sick of water and rain. And she was British, here, people. So, in defiance of the continual downpour, she made sure that her simulation of the jungle today called for lots of sunshine and beautiful weather. Even if it was a bit hot. It was a jungle, after all.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman!" she chirped happily once everyone had arrived. "I figured we could all use a chance to dry off a little, so we're skipping ahead in the lesson to food procurement; I'm sure we've all had enough water to last a few more weeks! Now, a good explorer will be sure to have plenty of rations with them in their pack, but there are a great many factors that could cause you to either run out, lose them, or find yourself generally unprepared and in need of nourishment. After water and shelter, food is one of the top necessities for survival. So let's look at some ways to find food in the wild, and then we will set off and put what we've learned to the test!"
She went on to explain, amid scribblings and diagrams, that, while it was certainly not her favourite choice, small critters made an excellent source of food, as very few of them were poisonous, and so the trick laid in catching them, which lead into a small covering of traps and snares. However, insects were by far one of the best sources: high in protein and greatly abundant in the jungle! Avoid all adult bugs that may bite or sting, though; bright colours and pungent odors are also insects to be avoided. Many, especially beetles and worms and grubs, can be easily found under logs and stones, and grassy areas make them easier to see. Anything with a hard shell should be cooked before eating, to eradicate any parasites that might be living underneath it, and always remove wings and barbs before consumption! You'll also want to boil worms, because who knows what else might be crawling around in the dirt with them!
Reptiles and amphibians can be good sources of protein as well; some are easier to catch than others, but the likelihood of finding a poisonous one are much higher in this category, and there's a higher possibilities of parasites with cold blooded creatures. Should you find a body of water, fish can be excellent....assuming you can catch them! There are no poisonous fish in freshwater, so that's a good sign! Many explorers will bring nets to make this task a little easier; they may also help with birds, which are also an option, but much more difficult to catch! Many will set up a net that many birds will just fly into, much like one might accidentally fly into a clean glass window, thinking it not to be there at all. And let us not forget the usefulness of eggs, though.
Of course, Jane continued, if you're a bit squeamish about catching and killing your own lunch....which she swore would wear off rather quickly if one ever did get lost in a jungle...there's always plants, though that could be a dangerous game. Having a guide to plantlife is always helpful, naturally, as there are many, many poisonous ones that are best to be avoided. It was best to not bother with mushrooms at all if one can, and to avoid any unnecessary contact with plants.
Finally, Jane set the chalk down and turned to her students. "So I'm sure you could all figure out that today's activity will be to find yourself some food! Your packs include a small mess kit and a source of heat, should you want to actually consume your food. I highly recommend it; being an adventurer is about being adventurous, after all, but if you'd like to just practise catching your food for now, that is fine as well. I'd like you all to locate several different bugs, a few plants you think may be edible, and at least put together a snare for a mammal, bird, or fish. Do what you can to catch them, but it's alright if you don't. Very rarely does one manage to do so in the span of time we have allotted for class.
"If there are no questions, then let us grab our hats and our packs and let's get going, shall we?"
[[ OCDon the way has cooked up some grubs! ]]
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman!" she chirped happily once everyone had arrived. "I figured we could all use a chance to dry off a little, so we're skipping ahead in the lesson to food procurement; I'm sure we've all had enough water to last a few more weeks! Now, a good explorer will be sure to have plenty of rations with them in their pack, but there are a great many factors that could cause you to either run out, lose them, or find yourself generally unprepared and in need of nourishment. After water and shelter, food is one of the top necessities for survival. So let's look at some ways to find food in the wild, and then we will set off and put what we've learned to the test!"
She went on to explain, amid scribblings and diagrams, that, while it was certainly not her favourite choice, small critters made an excellent source of food, as very few of them were poisonous, and so the trick laid in catching them, which lead into a small covering of traps and snares. However, insects were by far one of the best sources: high in protein and greatly abundant in the jungle! Avoid all adult bugs that may bite or sting, though; bright colours and pungent odors are also insects to be avoided. Many, especially beetles and worms and grubs, can be easily found under logs and stones, and grassy areas make them easier to see. Anything with a hard shell should be cooked before eating, to eradicate any parasites that might be living underneath it, and always remove wings and barbs before consumption! You'll also want to boil worms, because who knows what else might be crawling around in the dirt with them!
Reptiles and amphibians can be good sources of protein as well; some are easier to catch than others, but the likelihood of finding a poisonous one are much higher in this category, and there's a higher possibilities of parasites with cold blooded creatures. Should you find a body of water, fish can be excellent....assuming you can catch them! There are no poisonous fish in freshwater, so that's a good sign! Many explorers will bring nets to make this task a little easier; they may also help with birds, which are also an option, but much more difficult to catch! Many will set up a net that many birds will just fly into, much like one might accidentally fly into a clean glass window, thinking it not to be there at all. And let us not forget the usefulness of eggs, though.
Of course, Jane continued, if you're a bit squeamish about catching and killing your own lunch....which she swore would wear off rather quickly if one ever did get lost in a jungle...there's always plants, though that could be a dangerous game. Having a guide to plantlife is always helpful, naturally, as there are many, many poisonous ones that are best to be avoided. It was best to not bother with mushrooms at all if one can, and to avoid any unnecessary contact with plants.
Finally, Jane set the chalk down and turned to her students. "So I'm sure you could all figure out that today's activity will be to find yourself some food! Your packs include a small mess kit and a source of heat, should you want to actually consume your food. I highly recommend it; being an adventurer is about being adventurous, after all, but if you'd like to just practise catching your food for now, that is fine as well. I'd like you all to locate several different bugs, a few plants you think may be edible, and at least put together a snare for a mammal, bird, or fish. Do what you can to catch them, but it's alright if you don't. Very rarely does one manage to do so in the span of time we have allotted for class.
"If there are no questions, then let us grab our hats and our packs and let's get going, shall we?"
[[ OCD
Sign In - YAEA!, 05/31.
Re: Sign In - YAEA!, 05/31.
Re: Sign In - YAEA!, 05/31.
Re: Sign In - YAEA!, 05/31.
Re: Sign In - YAEA!, 05/31.
Re: Sign In - YAEA!, 05/31.
Re: Sign In - YAEA!, 05/31.
Listen to the Lecture - YAEA!, 05/31.
The Expedition - YAEA!, 05/31.
Re: The Expedition - YAEA!, 05/31.
He wasn't sure the type of the bird that hopped into the trap, but it was soon cooked over a fire.
Re: The Expedition - YAEA!, 05/31.
It didn't take her long at all to find good half-dozen items that should be edible, and she happily spent the rest of her time fishing. And by fishing, Surreal meant sitting on the riverbank with her boots off and leggings rolled up, waiting for a curious fish to swim up so she could knife it.
Talk to Jane - YAEA!, 05/31.
OOC - YAEA!, 05/31.