us a tour of the JEST compound that not only houses classrooms and administrative offices, but comprises a clean well-kept zoo in which many of the indigenous animals are displayed. A portion of the compound is devoted to examples of sleeping shelters we would soon be expected to build, and exhibits of snares and traps for taking small game.
Mel explained that, in a survival situation, it is preferable to take smaller game, rather than large animals, as the meat is equally nutritious, is much more plentiful, is easier to catch, and the creatures are less dangerous, and are easier to prepare. Also, small traps and snares can be constructed much more easily, and with fewer materials. Moreover, they can be set in more numerous locations than larger traps.
The tour completed, we loaded aboard two deuce-and-a-half stake-bed trucks which took us deeper into the jungle.
Located Precisely- At about 1100 hours, we unloaded. As 1 scanned the area, I realized that I knew exactly where I was. This was a place everyone has heard a whole lot about—"The Middle of Nowhere." It was already hot, muggy and generally uncomfortable for a long jungle hike. We started down a dirt trail, then crossed a stream and left the track to head into the jungle.
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Once under the rain forest's canopy, it seemed to cool off somewhat, but the going was rough because of the dense under¬brush, and the numerous creeping vines on the jungle floor. Most of us quickly dis¬covered what the Negritos called the "taga-mona" vine. In Tagalog, the Philippine language, tagamona means "wait a minute." Without fail, everyone who came across one of these thorny creepers with its needle-sharp barbs called out, "Hey, wait a minute, I'm stuck."
We proceeded deeper into the jungle, twisting and turning, attempting to follow the path of least resistance. As we hiked along, Mel pointed out native plants, and their various uses. For example, the "two-in-one" plant is valued for its medicinal properties, and can be identified by two leaves, followed by two more leaves, with the stem ending in a single leaf. This plant is represented in the JEST emblem. We were also shown the quinine rattan which, when chewed, will relieve the symptoms of malaria. We learned of a vine called "go-go" which can be crushed and used as soap for washing. The vine produces a rich lather, and many Negraito women still use it regularly for their laundry. We were shown the "water vine," a hollow tubular vine that always contains water, even when there has been a severe lack of rain.
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Mel showed us how to find bamboo with water in its hollow sections, but warned us not to drink the water from bamboo with open, exposed sections, as this is a favorite place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs, and ingesting mosquito eggs causes illness.
Direction Finders- Most of us were thoroughly disoriented, if not downright lost, by this time. Mel asked, "Can anyone tell me how to determine which direction he is facing—without using a compass?"
Everyone chorused, "By using the sun, or the North Star!"
Mel said, "Look at the sun now." We looked up. Everyone felt a bit foolish, as the sun was completely obscured by the dense foliage overhead.
The Negrito guide then showed us a vine that always sprouts on the north side of the tree around which it has entwined itself. I investigated many trees with such vines, and they all sprouted on the same side, without exception. I didn't have a compass for checking whether it was really the north side, but if Mel said that it was, I would be willing to bet on it.
By this time, I was becoming really impressed with Mel. But I hadn't seen anything yet.
Next, Mel demonstrated the proper way to build a fire without use of matches. He took a piece of split bamboo, cut a notch
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