Daily Chat: Lil Survivors Week 4 Ocono Tribe

From Colleen: And a cheery good morning to the islanders!!!

It's a nice 82 degrees today, no sign of rain, but slightly overcast sky. High visibility and a nice breeze from the east.

challenges will be wed and thurs this week, and back to normal. photos won't go up until thur or fri due to work commitments, but I'll do last week's and this week's at the same time..

10:48
May 6, 2001

From colleen

the chanting voices of the islanders i their weekly praise to the heavens wakes you and fills you with wonder, reverence and joy....

11:07
May 6, 2001

Lyda Ruth

"Good morning everybody, listen to that music!!! roxie, let's sing along with the Gospel music, whatja say?? Afterwards we can eat leftover baked clam for breakfast and maybe let's all go swimming, enjoy ourselves today and get jazzed for this week's challenges that we are going to WIN!!!!

12:21
May 6, 2001

Cobra is sleeping in this morning. That was hard work trying to get bananas!

12:39
May 6, 2001

Roxie

"Yes, Lyda Ruth...lets sing along with the music and then eat and go swimming! The water will feel so good. Maybe we can play a game in the water and do some exercises! I can lead us. I took a water aerobics class and I know what to do. C'mon Cobra! Wake up and get going! Your little friend wants out of the oatmeal can. Mandy, Lola, what do you say? Let's celebrate this wonderful Sunday! This will be our week for victory over Nicarong! We need to make up a cheer for Ocono Tribe. Anyone have any ideas?"

Claps excitedly and smiles at the others...

14:36
May 6, 2001

Lola awakes groggily and agrees that a swim sounds like a great idea. She puts on her suit and dashes off with the others.

14:49
May 6, 2001

Cobra grunts, toots and rolls over the other way. He groggily mutters stuff you can't understand, then that subsides and he appears to be asleep again.

15:05
May 6, 2001

Lyda Ruth and whoever else ate the clam leftovers from yesterday fins herself with a painful tummy and running for the potty area for the rest of the day! the heat is just too much here for seafood leftovers. Make sure whoever is illin drinks plenty of water to stay hydrated!

15:56
May 6, 2001

that was from Colleen

15:56
May 6, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

As the girls are swimming, Mandy comments, "Lyda, I don't think we'd better be eating that baked clam. It will be bad because it's too hot!" "We have plenty of bananas from yesterday. Let's eat those."

16:06
May 6, 2001

From colleen

it was posted that you ate before swimming. whoever chose to eat with Lyda Ruth is up to you guys, but unfortunately at least one person has a tummyache....

16:16
May 6, 2001

Roxie

"Ohhhh...I have a tummy ache!!! I've got to go to the bathroom fast!"

Runs to the woods, crying as she goes...

17:31
May 6, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Finally getting over the bellyache tells the others "Gee guys, not such a great sunday after all, but tomorrow will be better!!!"

18:40
May 6, 2001

Lola returns from swimming and settles down to eat a banana. By now, her tummy is growling because she didn't eat this morning. She looks quizically at Mandy. "What's wrong with Lyda and Roxie?"

20:43
May 6, 2001

Roxie

"I need water! I threw up 3 times...I think I'll lie down for a while..."

Crawls under the shelter and lays on her pillow...

21:40
May 6, 2001

Lola is worried by the sick tribe mates. She goes and brings them some water, hoping they will recover soon. She's glad it's not a challenge day.

21:47
May 6, 2001

Roxie

"Thank you Lola for the water! I think I might feel better after I take a nap. I'm glad you didn't eat the crab cakes..."

22:24
May 6, 2001

Cobra got up earlier, and was bright and cheery.

"gosh...what happened to you girls? I wish we had some crackers to give you so you can feel better. My mom always feeds me crackers when I have an upset stomach."

He has looked in Juniors container, and comments, "Gee, I don't think Junior likes bananas. I wonder what I should try next?" He wanders off in the jungle again.

22:42
May 6, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Lola, I think it was the left over baked clams that got to Lyda Ruth and Roxie." "I wondered if that was safe to eat, so I ate bananas instead." "I don't think Cobra ate any of it either." said Mandy as she placed more wet clothes on both girls' forheads. "Here Lyda, drink some more water." "I wish we had some peppermint. That helps with stomach aches too." "Lyda, Roxie, are you feeling well enough that you can take a daily vitamin? You want to keep your nutrients up."

Mandy spends the next few minutes nursing the girls and when they seem to be resting comfortably, she sits down to read some more of the survival guide...Hmmmm, it says here that some saltwater fish are highly poisonous. It says, avoid any fish that has a snoutlike mouth, that has spines, or that looks like a stone. Don't even touch them, let alone try to eat them!" "It's a good thing our guide shows pictures of what tuna look like. I'd hate to catch a bad fish!"

23:16
May 6, 2001

Lyda Ruth

"thanks Lola for helping me and Roxie, we ate some crab meat that had gone bad and have been sick in our tummies all day, luckily you guys were out swimming when we ate, or you would be sick too. Why don't we all just kind of hang around camp and talk and share stories and then turn in to our beds early, maybe tomorrow we can forage about for plants or something for JR the lizard to eat, I think cobra is worried about him" The kids stretch out in the sand under the shade of the trees and tell each other stories about their families and friends and pets back home. they nibble on oatmeal for dinner and are glad that tomorrow they can have a fire going again. Right after dusk they crawl into their shelter, snuggle up together and are soon sound asleep, dreaming of pizza and potato chips, cookies and ice cream and candy bars and a nice soft bed to sleep in with clean blankets and soft pillows, all the comforts of home.

23:19
May 6, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy glances up from her book and sees that both girls are still sleeping peacefully, so she reads on...cooking...mammals or birds can be skewered and roasted on a spit. Most food can also be cooked by wrapping it in large, nonpoisonous leaves, grass, mud, or clay and roasting it in hot coals. It says when you remove the clay, any scales or skin will be peeled away with it...

Mandy stands up and takes a break from reading. She goes over and rewets the wash cloths and places them back on Lyda Ruth's and Roxie's forheads. They both stir a little, but don't awaken. "I sure hope they are okay," thinks Mandy worriedly.

23:20
May 6, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy gets tired of trying to read by moonlight. It is much too difficult now to see the pages of the guide, so she puts it away and snuggles down to sleep. "I wonder what Jr. will eat?" Mandy thinks as she drifts off to sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

23:25
May 6, 2001

Lola checks on Lyda and Roxie one more time before heading for bed. She drifts into a restless sleep, hoping they will be okay for the challenge. Mandy's reading from the survival guide scared her. What if Lyda and Roxie ate poisonous fish - or even just touched them? She awakens with a start and looks around the camp frantically, hoping everyone is okay. Seeing that all her tribe mates are asleep, she settles back down. For the first time, she thinks about CJ, Brooke, and Wanda, now back home in a clean, soft bed, eating whatever they want. A single tear rolls down her cheek. She wipes it away and tries to go back to sleep. She hopes tomorrow will be better. And more than anything, she hopes the Oconos will win this week's challenges.

23:45
May 6, 2001

Cobra is asleep, with Junior's container near his head. He is snoring and gassing the place.

01:02
May 7, 2001

Roxie

Awakens and stretches gently... "Ohhh, I feel better this morning. I feel weak though and need water. I don't know if I'll take a walk this morning? I see Lyda Ruth is resting well. Is that you up Mandy? I will help you fetch the water. Especially since I have been drinking so much of it. I think those cool cloths helped me a lot! You guys are wonderful friends. I am going to be OK for the next challenge. I'd better go to the bathroom first."

Heads for the woods, grabbing leaves for toilet paper...

09:07
May 7, 2001

From Colleen

A cheery good morning! it's a balmy 80 degrees this morning, puffy clouds fill the sky and a lovely breeze from the northeast cools you. no sign of rain!

09:43
May 7, 2001

Roxie

"Lets see, do we have any bananas? I need something to put in my empty tummy. What all do we have to eat Lyda? I'll bet you're hungry too? Is your tummy better this morning? I sure hope so! I see the others stirring except for Cobra who is still tooting in his sleep. The funny thing is, I'm starting to get used to his smells. Hahaha! I want to take a vitamin, but not on an empty stomach. You should take one too Lyda!"

Gives Lyda a good morning hug. "I sure wish I had a toothbrush!"

12:05
May 7, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Smiles at roxie "I wish I had a toothbrush too, ugh, I've been using a corner of one of my shirts to clean my teeth, sure will be good to go back to civilization someday. I think our food supply is depleted, we need to get some of us together and go into the forest for food, maybe try to catch something, tho I don't think I will ever want to eat clams again!!!" They go over and wake up the other kids telling them they need to get a fire started and keep it going and they also need to go out in search of food.

13:25
May 7, 2001

Roxie

Comes back to camp with water jugs and starts a fire to boil it. "I'm going to be very careful about what I eat from now on! Did anyone find some food to eat? I think we can have some oatmeal too. We need to catch up on work from our Sunday off. We need to search for more firewood as well as food. Our supplies are getting low. But we will make time for some fun later on!"

"Who wants to do what?"

14:00
May 7, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Since we already ran for water, why don't several of us venture into the forest in a new direction today." "We'd better stay together, though, so we don't get lost!" Mandy gets up off the ground where she was resting and looks eager to search for food. "Maybe we'll find some crabs for dinner, or some fruit!"

Mandy emptys out her backpack onto the ground under the shelter and brings the empty pack back to the group. "Here, we can put what we find in my pack." she smiles. "I'm sure glad you and Roxie are feeling better!" she says to Lyda Ruth.

16:41
May 7, 2001

Lola joins the girls. "I found something last week that I was holding onto until we got really desperate for food. I don't even know what it tastes like, but it kind of looks like a yam. it was on this bush with really wide leaves. I think I saw something about it in our survival guide. It might be taro, like they make poi from. I could try boiling it and see what it tastes like. If we like it, there's a bunch more on the bush."

17:41
May 7, 2001

Roxie

"Good for you Lola! You're really thinking. It looks edible to me..."

18:46
May 7, 2001

Roxie

On second thought...Someone else can try it. I'm already recovering from a tummyache from the crab cakes.

19:13
May 7, 2001

Lola shrugs. "Okay, I'll try it." She boils the mystery vegetable and slices off a small bite with the knife. She takes a deep breath before tasting it, chewing it carefully. She breaks into a smile. "Hey, this is pretty good. Does anyone else want to try it?"

20:07
May 7, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy quickly grabs the survival guide and looks up plants..."Hmmmm, it doesn't say anything about Taro." "It doesn tell plants to avoid." Mandy looks up and watches Lola for any signs of sickness. "It says Don't eat fungi, anything that looks like beans or peas, bulbs, unless they look, smell, and taste like onions or garlic. It says avoid brightly colored plants or plants with hairy leaves or stems, spines, thorns, or very shiny leaves." "Don't eat any plant that irritates your skin when you touch it, with the exception of nettles. Nettles that have been well cooked are very nourishing." "Don't eat any plant with a milky sap except for dandelions." "Don't eat any plant with umbrella-shaped blossoms or plants with white, yellow, or red berries." Mandy looks up to see if any of the others are listening, then continues..."Don't eat any fruit that is in five sections and don't eat anything in the wild that resembles a cucumber, melon, parsnip, dill, parsley, or tomato."

Mandy put the book down. "Lola, you said this had wide leaves?" "I don't think it is harmful, but I am waiting a bit before I eat any." Mandy got up and drank a glass of water...

22:39
May 7, 2001

Mastermind Angie

Hi Lil Survivors! It looks like you have found taro, a plant that is plentiful on the island! It has large, heart shaped leaves (known as Elephant Ear in the states and used as a decorative plant). The root of the plant is yam shaped, and sort of hairy, so you will want to wash and peel it before cooking it. It tastes sort of bland and not quite on a par with potatoes!

23:03
May 7, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy crawled into the shelter and repacked her backpack, being careful to shake out any and all spiders, insects, or crabs from her clothing. She then lays down to go to sleep. Tomorrow is another day and since she is very hungry, sleep is a good escape. "Goodnight all!" Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

23:04
May 7, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Being the brave girl she is and also very hungry, helps Lola eat up the taro taters, takes a bit to the lizard in his containers, offers for cobra to come and eat with them, and tries to talk Roxie into eating a bit too. After dinner the kids clean up around camp a bit and go and join Mandy in the shelter where she is already soundly asleep. "Goodnight guys, here Lola, you can have my edge of Roxie's pillow tonight, I am snuggling under my ducky blanket. We need to gets lots of sleep and eat well so wwe can win that immunity challenge this week, winning the rewards wouldn't be bad either!!! Now I'm gonna say my prayers, goodnight and don't let the buggies bite"

23:42
May 7, 2001

Lola settles down beside Roxie to sleep. Maybe it was all the talk of potatos and elephant ears, but she has a dream about riding an elephant through the drive-through at McDonald's. Just what was in that taro anyway?

00:30
May 8, 2001

Cobra ate a little of the taro. He wrinkled his nose a bit, but now is settling down for bed.

01:43
May 8, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy awakens and takes care of business. She dresses in her yellow shirt and plaid pants and takes the water bottles down to the stream. It is already warm, so she stops and soaks her toes in the stream to cool off. "Oh what a pretty day it is!" she thinks as she relaxes and communes with nature. Mandy sees some of those big leafed plants that Lola had mentioned. She hopes the girls are okay from eating that plant's root. "If it proves to be a safe food, there seem to be plenty of those plants around. At least they would have something to eat. They might be able to be creative with the cooking of it too." she thinks to herself. She decides that after she fills the water jugs, she'll dig up some of those roots and bring them back to camp just in case they are okay to eat. The guide didn't show what Taro looks like, but the "don'ts" didn't seem to fit the characteristics of this plant, so maybe it's safe. She digs up four roots and squishes them into her pockets and starts the walk back to camp.

At camp, she puts more kindling on the fire and sets the water over the fire to boil. She places the roots on the table and waits for the others to awaken. She doesn't feel like reading the field guide just yet, so she gets her soccer ball out and quietly kicks it around on the beach.

07:54
May 8, 2001

Roxie

"You're up early this morning, Mandy! You must not need much sleep? You are really a valuable team member...definitely not lazy! I'm going to wash up and help you. It's hot this morning and I'm sweating already! Oh, I see you found some more Taro? I hope it's filling. My tummy is growling."

Goes to clean up and to return to help Mandy.

10:05
May 8, 2001

Cobra

wakes up, does his morning routine. He checks on Junior, scowls a bit, and wanders off into the jungle.

11:50
May 8, 2001

Lola rises and puts on her swimsuit. She joins the others at camp. "Anybody else want to go for a swim before breakfast?" she asks. "Maybe we can take the net out and try to catch some fish." She sees Mandy's pockets stuffed full of taro. "Great job you're doing collecting food. That stuff really isn't bad. Maybe we could try flavoring it with some fruit." She laughs and heads for the ocean. "It didn't kill me yet!"

18:12
May 8, 2001

Lyda Ruth

No one has noticed that Lyda ruth was not in camp sleeping or anything else, she had gotten up very very early and wandered off into the jungle in search of fruit, finally here she comes lugging behind her a huge bunch of nice yellow bananas, grunting and heaving she puts them on the make shift table for when the others come back from swimming, she then puts on her swim suit and runs out to join the others for a good splash.

19:30
May 8, 2001

Cobra finally returns from the jungle. He is carrying his hat, with leaves over the top of it.

22:19
May 8, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy steps out of the water and drys off. She sees Cobra go toward camp with his hat full of leaves. She runs up to him and asks, "Why are there leaves in your hat?" She is quite curious.

She walks with him back to camp to see what he does with the hat...

22:29
May 8, 2001

Lola's tummy begins to growl so she gets out of the water to go have something to eat. She sees Cobra with the leaves and shrugs. With him, it is hard to tell whether he's found a new food for his lizard or is just playing camoflauge.

22:46
May 8, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy continues to ask Cobra questions, but he doesn't answer her. She finally gives up and walks over to where Lola is standing. "Lola, what do you suppose Cobra is going to do with the leaves in his hat?" "You know, I wonder if there is something else underneath the leaves?" Mandy shakes her head and then asks, "Lola, would you like to help me figure out how to prepare this Taro so that it tastes better?"

23:06
May 8, 2001

Lola shook her head about Cobra. "With Cobra, you never know WHAT he's up to. I think we'd be better off concentrating on the taro than worrying about him. What do you think? Maybe if we mix in some bananas with it?"

23:17
May 8, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Lola, maybe if we mash up the Taro and mix bananas in, like you suggest, we could then fry up patties that would taste like banana cookies! Mmmmmmmm!" Mandy tries to mash the taro, but it won't mash. "Okay, lets boil the taro first and once it is cooked, we can mash it!" laughs Mandy. She sets a pot of water on the fire to boil and places the taro into the pot.

23:24
May 8, 2001

Lola nods eagerly. "That's a great idea, Mandy! I'm going to go get some more water to boil. I have the feeling these banana/taro cookies are going to make us awfully thirsty." She heads for the water.

23:29
May 8, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Lyda Ruth and Roxie come running out of the water to help Mandy and Lola with the cooking. Tonight's supper looks like it is gonna be interesting and maybe even tasty, and what the heck, at least they will not go to bed hungry. Lyda remarks to the girls that Cobra always acts strange, you could know what he is up to, but since he is in the tribe they needed to take care of him and feed him too, and also try to get his pet to eat. The taro/banana cookies turn out not half bad as the kids sit around the fire relaxing and eating, and getting themselves hyped for the challenges tomorrow. "Let's get to bed early and get a good night sleep, we are gonna need all our wits about us tomorrow if we are gonna win!!! Girls and Cobra, let's try so so hard to win, and even more important we need to win the immunity challenge, but the goodies would be nice too!" After a while of talking and nibbling on leftover cookies, the kids go to the water's edge and wash up, then hike back to their cozy shelter where they settle in for the night, dreaming of winning something tasty to eat tomorrow.

23:51
May 8, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy is up once again really early. She goes to the girls bathroom and then dresses for today's challenge. She decides to wear the ocono wrap and shorts. It is going to be another hot day. As she dresses, she thinks about how yummy those taro and banana cookies turned out to be. They'll have to make those more often!

Back in camp, Mandy quietly picks up the water bottles and heads down to the stream. Again, she stuffs her pockets with taro for later. She returns to camp, starts the fire going and boils the water. She places the taro on the table. For some reason, she is sleepy again. After she boils the water, she pours it into the water tank and then goes back to snuggle down for a few extra "winks". Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

07:48
May 9, 2001

Roxie

Awakens just as Mandy is lying down. "I'm going to take my morning walk. I slept really well last night after eating the taro/banana cookies. They really fill up the tummy! I'm going to say a special prayer of thanks this morning. When I get back, I'll do some fishing and see what I can catch with the net. This will be a glorious day! I hope we do well on the reward challenge later! We WILL win the immunity challenge tomorrow! NO DOUBT!"

Walks into the jungle contemplating strategy...

09:10
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy awakens from her nap and feels refreshened. She can't wait to find out what the reward will be today for the challenge. Secretly, she is hoping for more food, since they've been rather hungry lately. Mandy walks over to the edge of the ocean and watches Roxie swimming for fish. "I sure wish I was a better swimmer," thought Mandy. "I really don't feel confident going too far out in the ocean." Mandy steps to where the waves are lapping the beach, takes her shoes off, and walks barefoot in the water. It feels so cool and soothing to her feet. Finally, she steps onto dry sand and puts her sandals on. She decides to once again empty her backpack and go exploring for food. With her empty pack on her back, she starts to walk into the forest, going the direction that she always sees Cobra walk.

Along the path, she sees Cobra. "Hi, Cobra! I hope you find food for JR today!" She then walks on and eventually finds a lime tree. She picks 5 limes and places them into her pack. She walks on and spots one lone hermit crab. She catches it and places it too into her pack. Eventually, she realizes that she is thirsty and she didn't bring along the water bottle. So, reluctantly, she turns around and heads back to camp. Once there, she places the 5 limes on the table by the taro she'd found this morning. Then, she tried to figure out how to contain the crab until they were ready to cook him. Since Cobra was now using the empty oatmeal barrel and the other three still had some oatmeal in them, this was a challenge. She finally decided that since one of the barrels was almost empty, she would pour the oatmeal from that one into one of the full containers. After doing so, she carefully placed the hermit crab into the empty oatmeal barrel, trying not to get pinched by its pinchers, and placed the lid back onto the barrel. She then placed the barrel on the table with the other food. She spotted the bottle of multivitamins and realized that she had forgotten to take one, so she quickly grabbed one and chewed it up...Ummm that one was a grape one! She savored the flavor...

10:19
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

No one sees to be around camp today, so Mandy straightened up the camp and shook out her clothing and placed it back into her back pack. She then tried to think of a couple of food ideas for their dinner tonight. Unless the others find food, they had a choice of rice, oatmeal, 5 limes, 1 hermit crab, and taro. What could they make from those ingredients. Of course, if they win the challenge, they may have some more options! Mandy smiles at that thought. It would be wonderful to actually win something once again.

Mandy walks down to the ocean and sees that Roxie is still out there. "Roxie, you are going to look like a prune!" she shouts. "Are you able to catch any fish?"

11:01
May 9, 2001

Roxie

"Mandy! I caught a tuna! This will be great for our lunch! I'll bring him to you." She gets out of the water and walks toward camp...

"What do you think about this one? It should more than feed all of us."

12:05
May 9, 2001

From Colleen

And a hearty good morning to the brave survivors! Welcome to your 4th reward challenge! Can you believe it's been almost 4 weeks already? The weather today is delightful, only 80 degrees with low humidity, only slightly overcast with good visibility, a breeze from the east and pretty puffy clouds! The dolphins are out and romping closer to the beach than ever before, but still not close enough to swim to. I sent out the reward challenge email, so send you answer in anytime today! Good luck!

13:06
May 9, 2001

From Colleen

Any of those gathering taro start to notice an itchy rash on their hands and wrist areas, not horribly bad, but annoying and painful! Taro leaves cause a reaction but the water seems to soothe the itchy painful welts. At least you figure out to be very careful from now on when working around the taro leaves and digging at them to get at the roots. It's a very versatile food source so congrats on finding it!

13:18
May 9, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Comes wandering out of the jungle, having searched for bananas all morning and finding none, she wants to take a nice swim to cool off and collect her thought before she takes the challenge, she is determined they will do better today!!!

15:19
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Roxie, you did a great job finding that large tuna all by yourself!" We are going to have a great meal before the challenge tonight. Gee, I wonder what the prize is tonight?" Mandy says happily. Her wrists and hands have been itching a lot and now they seem to have a red rash. "You know, I'll bet the taro plant leaves are doing this to me. I know that strawberry plants make me itch when I pick berries." "Roxie, before I cook that tuna, I am going to go and soak my hands in the ocean water for a bit." Mandy walks to the water's edge and squats down to reach the water. It feels soothing to her sore hands. She remembers that there is some betadine in the survival kit, so she puts some on her hands and lets them rest for a few moments. She takes an ibuprofin from the kit too. It might help with the itching...at least it won't hurt!

Once the itching subsides a bit, Mandy helps Roxie skin the fish and get it ready for cooking. They do this away from camp because the survivor handbook says that you should clean and gut anything you catch away from camp. That way, animals won't be attracted to your camp. Next, they bring the tuna back to camp in the cooking pot and start to fry it up. There are 5 limes, so each child will get a whole lime to eat or season their tuna. "I think we should boil some of the taro and mash it like potatoes too."

15:48
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Once the tuna and the taro are both prepared, the girls set all the food out on the table for dinner. "Come one everybody! Dinner's ready!" yells Mandy. She hopes that those in the water and those in the forest can hear her calls...

15:54
May 9, 2001

Lola comes back from her swim, amazed at all the food on the table. "Wow, you guys have been busy. It's great that we will be able to eat so well tonight. Maybe it will help us win the challenge. They say that fish is brain food, right?" She scratches her hand where she's noticed a light rash. "Do you need some help mashing the taro, Mandy? I feel like I haven't done anything today to help."

17:48
May 9, 2001

Roxie

"I took the reward challenge and am glad that is over. I didn't like it."

18:07
May 9, 2001

Lyda Ruth

After having eaten a large helping of fish and lime and rice, Lyda decided it is time for her to go and take the challenge, so off she goes. A while later she returns and looks a bit down. "that was a strange challenge, she says, "with all the guess wrok I have no idea how I did, I'm not too good at guessing or math, hope we get lucky and win tonight, if not tonight then at least tomorrow, we need to win or we are pretty much done in" thus saying she goes over to the shelter and lays down and stares into space, thinking her thoughts.

20:32
May 9, 2001

Cobra is in camp. He is talking into the oatmeal can again. But this time, he is referring to John, Ringo, George and Paul.

"Hey, guys I let Junior go. I have new pets!"

Tooting and humming, Cobra settles down with the bucket between his knees. You can see him pushing something back down occasionally.

20:50
May 9, 2001

Lola returns from taking the challenge, a bit downcast. "I hope you all did better than I did. Because I am really bad at guessing stuff like that." She plops down on the ground and sighs.

21:23
May 9, 2001

From Colleen: I am back home early so send all emails to my minxkely@xnet.com address again, though I'll check aol too

I have all the guesses so will announce winner very shortly!!!!

22:08
May 9, 2001

From Colleen: Gia slowly and methodically writes down every player's whispered guesses then opens the bucket and counts out the fruit inside. Everyone holds their breath and their mouths water. So much fruit is piled in bunches! When all is said and done, there is 1 plum, 3 limes, 8 strawberries, 12 red berries, 10 bananas and 16 peaches for a total of 50 fruits exactly!

For Ocono: Roxie guessed 79 & peaches for 1 pt, Lola guessed 56 & bananas, Lyda Ruth guessed 25 & peaches for 1 pt, Mandy guessed 46 & peaches for 1 pt, and Cobra guessed 20 & peaches for 1 pt. Total tribe average=45.2 peaches pts=4 fruit count pts=5 Total points=9

For Nicarong: Inita guessed 32 & bananas, Laura guessed 28 & strawberries, Meggie guessed 24 & strawberries, Moon guessed 32 & peaches for 1 pt, Pierre guessed 28 & peaches for 1 pt, Marisa guessed 36 & bananas, Trey guessed 39 & strawberries, and Aggie guessed 36 & strawberries. Total tribe average guess=31.875 peaches pts=2 fruit count pts=0 Total points=2

22:36
May 9, 2001

From Colleen: great job everyone! tomorrow will be another all-day challenge too and tricky! so keep your thinking caps handy!

Ocono wins! congrats!!! Ocono leaves challenge beach with a huge basket of fruit and veggies including apples, oranges, bananas, plums, grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and green peppers. Use it up fast since it won't last more than a day or 3 in this heat! Ocono also gets the beach blanket and beach umbrella, plus the plastic barrel to keep supplies in now.

A Kelly-sized fruit basket will be sent home with each Ocono winner

22:41
May 9, 2001

Roxie

"Looks like we won the reward challenge. Good going kids. I just hope we're this lucky tomorrow night..."

22:41
May 9, 2001

Lola jumps up and down. "We won! We won! Oh boy! See what happens when we work together?" She grabs Roxie's hands and starts dancing around in a circle.

22:47
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"All right! We won! Now team, we need to do the same tomorrow!" Mandy helps carry the heavy basket home. "Boy are we going to have a good supper and a great breakfast!" Mandy says excitedly. "It's too bad they won't keep very long."

Once back in camp, Mandy eats a strawberry. "Oh is that good!"

22:59
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

One of the other tribe members laughs at Mandy and tells her she's been away from civilization too long...it was a plum she ate, not a strawberry! Oops!

23:02
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy studies the basket once they return to camp. "Hey guys!" "We can make a really good salad with the contents of this basket!" Using the cooking pot as a large bowl, Mandy starts tearing apart the head of lettuce. She takes the knife and peels the outer skin off the carrots and starts cutting them up and mixing them into the lettuce. She tears apart the broccoli and adds that to the pot. Next, she slices the cucumbers, green peppers, and tomatoes. She mixes the contents up and they all have a large salad to eat! She sets out coconut half shells for bowls and says "Supper's ready!" with a big smile on her face.

As Mandy and the others eat, a thought occurs to her..."If we can eat this well tonight and tomorrow morning, we should be really well prepared for the immunity challenge!" Life is good!

23:08
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

While they are eating supper, Mandy asks Cobra, "So, what kind of pets do you have now, Cobra?" "Would they like some fruits or vegetables?"

23:10
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

As they are finishing eating the salad, Mandy says, "We should put all the perishable foods into the plastic barrel. The lid is air tight and would keep out insects, animals, and water." She gets up and immediately puts the remainder of their rice and oatmeal into the new barrel. She then carefully places the remaining carrots, and other vegetables into one of the oatmeal barrels and puts the fruits into the other wooden oatmeal barrel. "Maybe they'll stay better if they are kept in the shade in a covered container. We should still eat them quickly though."

Mandy helps the others clean up the "kitchen" and then she helps to spread the beach blanket out under the shelter. "We finally have a warm blanket to cover up with at night!" Mandy feels like she could conquer the world now! She walks over to the beach and washes up in the ocean. Then, she goes back to the shelter and gets ready to sleep. "We should get plenty of rest tonight. We want to beat Nicarong tomorrow too!" she says enthusiastically.

23:20
May 9, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Also cleans up and snuggles down in the shelter with her friends, she is so happy that they won, she knows how hard they all worked for this, and the determination to keep winning. the 5 of them, yes even the gaseous one, have become such close friends she cannot imagine voting anyone else off, so says a prayer that they win tomorrow too so they don't have to. they all have full tummies tonight and the exhilaration of having won for a change, and like Mandy also feels like they can do anything. Cobra still has not told them who his new pets the Beatles are but that can wait for morning, he really enjoys his animals, Lyda understands this as she has several pets at home too, and misses them. the time on Kosrae so far has been difficult at times but the good times are many too, and she knows this is an experience she and the others will never forget. Pulling her ducky coat over her head and resting her head on one edge of roxie's pillow she is soon asleep.

Suddenly she awakes from a dream and sits bolt upright, thinking the Beatles!!!! could Cobra be harboring beetle bugs in his cannister??? What a thought, tomorrow will tell if she is right or not, she then lays back down with a chuckle and falls soundly asleep again.

23:41
May 9, 2001

Cobra has enjoyed the food they won, and as he ate he told the others," My new pets won't be fussy...they will eat anything we eat!!!!"

He has the lid down on them right now, but does admit they ARE beetles...rather large ones.

Cobra has captured himself some flying cockroaches. Belching and muttering, he carefully sets the container by the palm tree and goes to bed, pulling his hat over his eyes.

23:52
May 9, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy awakens, takes care of things, and dresses in the Ocono tank top and the green ants shorts. She ties her hair up since it is so hot today. She grabs the water bottles and quickly runs to the stream to fill them. Upon returning to camp, she sets the water on the fire to boil. She pulls out all the fruit from yesterday's challenge and sets it on the table for everyone's breakfast. There are apples, oranges, bananas, plums, and grapes. While she waits for the others to awaken, she munches on a grape and reads her survival guide...

07:41
May 10, 2001

From colleen

It's a breezy 82 degrees with relatively low humidity and a wonderful light breeze from the southeast. mostly cloudy today with no sign of rain! What a lovely day for an immunity challenge!

Today's tree-mail is written on a scrap of paper pinched onto a rat-trap and reads: Lizards & Rats and Bats, oh my! For immunity, once again you must try. On the islands it's all about who eats who. When the lizards eat rats, the players will too.

07:46
May 10, 2001

From Colleen

the challenge puzzle has been mailed out to everyone. you have til midnight central time to send your solution, and scores for each team will be averaged. Good luck!

07:55
May 10, 2001

Lola eats a hearty breakfast, then goes off to take the immunity challenge, hoping to get it over with. When she returns to camp, she is clutching her head. "Oh boy, that was hard! It gave me a headache. I sure hope we win because I DON'T want to eat a rat." She plops down beside Mandy and begins munching on a plum, hoping the fruit will give her some energy to get on with her day.

13:18
May 10, 2001

Roxie

Gets up, eats a breakfast of fruit and turns to the others... "I wish all of us good luck on today's challenge! We are going to win!"

15:08
May 10, 2001

Cobra is walking around camp, holding one of his new pets.

"Anyone want to see??? he is really cute!!!"

He happily holds the roach up for anyone silly enough to get close to him.

16:16
May 10, 2001

Lola takes one look at Cobra's new pet and screams, "EEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!" She shakes her head and looks at her female tribemates, muttering only one word: "Boys!"

16:18
May 10, 2001

Cobra is off to take the challenge.

"MMMmmmmm I can hardly wait to try rat! Wow!!!"

Cobra pretends to pop a cockroach in his mouth and makes a crunching sound. "Oops..guess I am down to George, Ringo and Paul!" He about falls over laughing as he walks off to take the challenge.

16:48
May 10, 2001

Roxie

"Whew, I just finished the immunity challenge and boy am I glad that's done! It took a lot of concentration but the puzzle is solvable. Mandy, did you take the challenge yet? How about you Lyda Ruth? Cobra said he is taking it and Lola took it already. I have a good feeling about this challenge."

Sits down in the shade and relaxes. "Hey, the hammock is free! I will lie down there for a while! Cobras pets, by the way, are disgusting!!!! Who could have a roach for a pet???"

17:25
May 10, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy returns from the challenge and immediately grabs some grapes. "I need these!" she states and she walks under a shade tree. "Do you realize how many times I had to move those cages around?" "For the longest time, I thought those lizards were going to eat rats no matter where I placed them!" "I think I finally figured out the answer, but it was a difficult task!"

Mandy pulls out her survival guide once again..."Hey, there is a fish trap in the book that looks like it just might work!" she exclaims as she looks over the diagram. "It says it will work in shallow water which is great since I am such a bad swimmer." "I think I will go and find some sticks to use for stakes." Mandy jumps up and goes to the forest edge to collect straight sticks. She whistles some cheery tune as she gathers the sticks. She figures that she will need at least 60 stakes to do it correctly...

17:45
May 10, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy places all of the sticks she has gathered onto the beach blanket and she drags it down to the water's edge. She starts setting up the fish trap where she has seen fish swim before. She places the sticks close together and forms a sort of box shaped structure. She leaves and "entrance" to it in which the fish can swim in, but will become confused once inside the trap. She steps back onto the beach and sits down in the sand and waits to see if any fish swim into her trap. If nothing else, it is a good antistress activity after the challenge today!

Mandy doesn't have to wait long before a little tuna swims into her trap. Before she springs up to try to catch it, she watches it try to escape along the staked walls. She smiles and thinks, "This is quite a clever device!"

18:26
May 10, 2001

Roxie

I am anxious to hear how everyone did on the challenge! This is an important one! I wonder how many Nicarong tribe members are finished with it? I can't wait to find out the results. I'll admit when I first saw the challenge, I was scared that I might not be able to solve it. But perseverance paid off."

"Lyda Ruth, I haven't heard much from you today? How do you think you did?"

18:30
May 10, 2001

Cobra arrives back in camp, smacking his lips, and belching.

"You know, rat isn't bad!!! I am off to find us a rat to eat!"

He belches, picks his teeth and farts as he walks out of camp.

18:39
May 10, 2001

Lola gets up and admires Mandy's trap. "Great job, Mandy. You are really thinking. I guess all that reading of the Survival guide paid off. I'm going to go get some more water before it gets dark. We can have fish, along with some of the leftover fruits and vegetables for dinner." As she passes Roxie, she agrees, "Cobra's pets are disgusting. A lizard I could understand but roaches??? Yuck!"

20:08
May 10, 2001

Cobra comes running into camp. He is holding something and looks really excited.

"Hey, look everyone!!!! I got one! I got one!!!"

He is holding a rat by its tail...it is dead, or passed out.

21:16
May 10, 2001

Cobra carefully sets the rat by the fire area. He is muttering to himself.

"Now, I hope no one messes with that rat, I need to go find a stick to roast him on!"

Cobra heads back into the jungle...he looks over his shoulder once as if to make sure the rat is where he left him.

21:39
May 10, 2001

Lola eyes the rat cautiously, thinking she saw it move and hoping it was only her imagination. Why were boys always so disgusting?

21:47
May 10, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Ewwwww, look what Cobra caught this time!" Mandy doesn't know whether to pretend to be brave or to jump up on a stump and scream!

21:58
May 10, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"I hope Lyda Ruth is doing okay with the challenge. I know she won't be afraid of those lizards since she has a pet lizard at home." Mandy tries to stay calm around Cobra's rat...

22:02
May 10, 2001

Lola winks at Mandy. "I wonder if we can find Cobra's lizard? And if maybe he is the kind that would eat a rat?"

22:28
May 10, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy laughs at Lola's joke. She secretly wonders if the cochroaches would eat the rat too.

"You know, I can't stand this waiting tonight. I want to know if we finally won an immunity challenge or not!" says Mandy while clasping her hands together. "This waiting is driving me nuts!"

22:35
May 10, 2001

Cobra returns to camp, carrying a stick.

He looks over where he left the rat...it is gone!

"HEY...which one of you ate my rat???"

22:43
May 10, 2001

From Colleen: Gia carefully puts away the rat platter as she totals all scores... There were 6 different solutions, all excellent. Only 2 players had to eat rat, Moonbeam and Lyda Ruth, and 2 players never placed their last rat so avoided eating the rat but I think Cobra snuck some anyway, hey it's good protein.

For Ocono: Roxie, Lola and Mandy got perfect scores of 30, Lyda Ruth got 22 and lost 1 rat so had to eat some, and Cobra got 22 and never placed his last rat. Total score=134 average score=26.8

For Nicarong: Inita, Meghan, Pierre, Marissa, Trey and Aggie all got perfect scores of 30, Moon got 16 pts, lost 3 rats and had to eat 3 bites of rat, Laura got a score of 22 and never placed her last rat. Total score=218 Average score=27.25

22:49
May 10, 2001

From Colleen

Nicarong wins and I will see Ocono in tribal council tomorrow.

22:50
May 10, 2001

Roxie

"When are we going to find out who won? I can't stand the suspense! Cobra, your pets are disgusting and that rat had no business here! You are really getting on my nerves! Lyda Ruth, will you come sit by me and help me to calm down? I feel like I need a nerve pill..."

22:51
May 10, 2001

Cobra pipes up, "Boy, what a bunch of losers. I bet Lyda Ruth ate my rat! and didn't even save me a bite!!!"

Cobra looks insulted, toots, and goes to lay down, pulling his hat over his eyes.

22:56
May 10, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy takes Gia's announcement hard. Ocono lost once again. The tears flow freely down her cheeks. "It's just not fair! No matter how well we do, we are just too out numbered now." Mandy shakes her head. She feels bad for Lyda Ruth too. It's not fair that Lyda had to eat some of that disgusting rat. No wonder Lyda has been so quiet tonight. She is probably somewhere sick from that rat meat. "Lyda! Lyda Ruth where are you?" Mandy calls frantically. She sobs some more.

Mandy decides to go into the forest in search of her friend...

23:02
May 10, 2001

Roxie

I can't believe we lost again...It seems so unlikely that we would lose again. Lyda Ruth, are you OK? Eating rat can't be easy? I'm going to bed. I can't believe we have to go to tribal counsel tomorrow night! Our tribe is shrinking fast! I'll bet Nicarong tribe is celebrating right now! They have been lucky. Just wait until next time...

Lyda come snuggle on my pillow tonight. It will be OK. Maybe things are meant to happen this way?

23:20
May 10, 2001

Cobra can be heard muttering a bit. He isn't asleep yet.

"hmmm, now that would have been even better with some ketchup....."

23:22
May 10, 2001

Lola settles down to sleep, depressed about the evening's outcome. She feels sorry for Lyda Ruth having to eat the rat. Thank goodness she didn't have to eat any herself. She wonders if their tribe will just keep getting smaller and smaller. She wipes away a tear, hoping the other kids are already asleep and can't see her crying.

23:35
May 10, 2001

Cobra is singing again. It is very quiet singing for a change.

"Baby we can talk all night....but that ain't getting us nowhere....."

His singing subsides slowly.....getting quieter and quieter....sleepy time.

23:44
May 10, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy returns from the forest. "Is Lyda Ruth back in camp?" she calls. Everyone seems to be asleep, so she looks around camp. It is dark, but the moonlight is helping to illuminate the camp. Mandy breathes a sigh of relief when she sees that Lyda is snuggled up with the other girls, sleeping. "I was so worried!" thinks Mandy. She eats a couple of grapes. They are starting to get mushy from the hot weather, but they seem edible. Mandy then drinks some water, takes care of business, and snuggles down under the beach blanket with the others. Maybe tomorrow will look brighter. Mandy doubts that, but...her thoughts drift off...ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

00:05
May 11, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy awakens and just lays there looking out at the day. This is such a depressing day. Their team is dwindling to nothing and there seems to be nothing they can do about it. Once again, they lost by just a fraction of a point. The tribe is doing great, but they are terribly out numbered and it shows. Again, tears well up in Mandy's eyes. She covers her head with the blanket and wipes them away before the others awaken and can see her crying.

Once she regains her composure, Mandy gets up and decides to wear the Ocono wrap around shirt and pants today. She takes care of business and then grabs the water jugs. She walks slowly to the stream today, soaking up nature and wondering who will leave tonight. "I think we should play a game of Monopoly today to take all of our minds off of tonight." she thinks. "Hopefully that will help!" Mandy fills up the water bottles and then decides to go down stream to the bathing area and take a quick bath. Feeling clean and refreshed, she dresses and returns to camp to boil the water.

07:05
May 11, 2001

Roxie

Gets up and sees Mandy coming back from taking a bath..."Mandy you look so good this morning. I think I will go take a bath too! Today is a new day! I'll admit I was down last night when we lost the challenge, but that's over and we have to pick up and go from here! I guess I should go look for some fruit later? Did you get water yet? I think I see Lola stirring. It is kinda early though. Cobra is sound asleep and so is Lyda Ruth. I wonder if it's going to rain today?"

Gets her stuff together and walks down the path toward the stream...

08:34
May 11, 2001

From Colleen

It's only 87 degrees but with a heat index of 96 so watch that sun today folks! No sign of rain, but some cluds in the sky, you almost hope it does rain just to cool things off.

The humidity will not help the veggies stay resh so keep eating them quickly.. the fish trap is working excellently, but no room for big fish in the ashallow waters, but what the fish lack in size, they make up for in quantity, no less than 6 smaller fish are patiently waiting for your attention this morning...

08:57
May 11, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Lyda Ruth awakens and comes out to the table area of the camp, she calls the others over to come and talk to her, she has an important announcement.

"Guys, I have really enjoyed knowing you, you have become very dear friends to me and I will always remember you. Tonight is tribal council and I am telling you I want to go home, this game is not fun for me anymore, and I don't want to continue anymore. We don't any of us stand a chance of winning anyway so it is just a matter of time before Oconoo is obsolete anyway, so please vote me off tonight, seriously, I want to go, so you won't be hurting my feelings, please vote for me" thus saying she wanders down to the water for a last swim, then comes back and begins to gather up her belongings and packs her bag, she tells the girls she is leaving her comb for them to share as she has plenty of them at home. She is homesick and weary of the hard competitions and the constant loss, and is very serious about going home now. She hopes her friends will do as she asked and let her go home tonight.

10:29
May 11, 2001

Cobra heard Lyda Ruth. He looks totally skeptical.

"Gosh, now that is an interesting strategy." He mimes rubbing his eyes and sniffling. "Oh, send me home...wahhhhh."

Cobra gets up and does his morning routine, all the while, he can be heard making sniffling sounds and giggling.

11:10
May 11, 2001

Cobra goes down to the water, looking for Lyda Ruth. He is looking pretty steamed.

"Lyda! Lyda, I want to talk to you!"

Having got her attention, he launches into his piece. "Lyda, I can't believe you. You are totally WIMPING out. You with all your dandy We are a tribe junk! You are just unreal. If you really gave a hoot about our tribe and anything, you wouldn't be walking around acting like a little drama queen...and martyr! You need to seriously do some thinking about this whole giving up thing! I am not impressed. If you do go home after council tonight, it won't be any "Oh that sweet Lyda sacrificing herself" junk, I will be honest, every time I think of you after that, it will be as that little quitter Lyda Ruth...you have some sort of nerve lying that you actually care about the tribe and then wimping on us!" After this, Cobra is really red in the face and goes stomping off into the jungle.

11:30
May 11, 2001

Roxie

"Oh, no Lyda Ruth!!! I can't bare to see you go. I won't vote for you, I won't! You have to stay and fight with us. You have so much strength! You are always doing things to help Ocono be the success it is. We are all surviving well and Nicarong will get their chance to start voting people off very soon! Please don't talk about going home! Come on guys, talk her out of it!"

Roxie is openly wiping tears from her eyes...

12:20
May 11, 2001

Mandy Estelleit

Mandy hears Lyda's speech and exclaims, "No, Lyda Ruth! You can't leave! You are our sister! We need you! Don't feel upset about the rat challenge yesterday. You didn't disappoint us in any way. We go to those challenges and do the best that we can do that day. That is all that we can expect." Mandy goes over and hugs Lyda Ruth. "Don't listen to what Cobra says either. He's a boy, what does he know?" Mandy giggles.

Mandy grabs Lyda Ruth's hand and yanks her away from packing. "Come on, let's check on my fish trap!"

14:45
May 11, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy looks into the fish trap and there are 6 small fish in it. "Wow, look at that!" says Mandy excitedly. "Dinner!" Mandy runs back to camp to grab the cooking pot and the knife. Once back over by the trap, she grabs the fish with her hands and struggles to put them into the cook pot. The squirm and wiggle, but she manages to get all six into the pot.

She then drags the cook pot away from camp and cleans, skins, and guts the fish for dinner. She brings them back to camp and begins cooking them. "We'll have fish and all of the left over fruits and vegetables tonight. What a feast!" "Let's play Monopoly after dinner!" says Mandy enthusiastically.

14:48
May 11, 2001

Lyda Ruth

"Roxie, don't cry, you are doing great and so is Mandy and Lola. One of us has to go tonight and I want to go" We will keep in touch after this, maybe even visit with each other!!! cobra, you have been a very difficult boy to get along with, you have been argumentative and ornery and not at all pleasant to any of us, but you do play the game as well as the rest. why try to stop me from going when it would be you instead of me tonight and you know it. I'm sure you have realized by now that me and Roxie and Lola had an alliance going here, we would have carried the vote and it would have been you, so instead of yelling at me and being mean you should thank me because I am allowing you to stay and fight another day. who knows maybe now the 4 of you can fight the other team and win, but I really am tired of it all and want to go home, I don't care about winning, and we can't win anyway, so I want to go on my terms, I will not stay and let the other tribe boot me off, I"ll go on my own steam, that is just the way I am, stubborn as a mule when I want to be. Have fun cobra and try to get along and be a nice friend for a change, and good luck with your gaseous problems"

Lyda continues to pack her bag and looks forward to a soft bed and pillow tonight and a nice meal!!!

14:53
May 11, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Lyda Ruth, you just stop talking like that!" says Mandy angrily. "What is the matter with you? Snap out of it! WE NEED YOU!" Mandy finally shouts at her friend. "I am so frustrated with you right now! You have got to stay and fight!" Once again, Mandy bursts into tears and runs off into the forest...

16:09
May 11, 2001

Lola has been sitting in the shade most of the day, reading her book and listening to everyone. Finally, she gets up and goes over to Lyda Ruth. "Look, you have been a real asset to our tribe and if you go, we will lose for sure. I think we have all become good friends. I don't want to vote you off. Won't you please reconsider? If we girls stick together, I know we can do really well." She looks at Roxie and Mandy. "Right?"

16:39
May 11, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

By now, Mandy has returned and she heard what Lola told Lyda Ruth. "See? We all want you to stay." Mandy says as she finishes the dinner preparations. She sets the cooked fish and all the rest of the fruits and vegetables on the table. "Come and eat, everyone! We'll play a fun game of Monopoly after dinner and forget about tonight for a little while." Mandy tries to smile through her tear stained face.

16:45
May 11, 2001

Lola nods. "That sounds like a great idea. What can I do to help you with dinner, Mandy?"

16:49
May 11, 2001

From Colleen

I just apprised the other tribe of their food situation since they hadn't lost a member yet and the producers worked on the assumption they would have by now. I am giving you guys roughly the same info on your food status

basically you had 4 tubs of oatmeal, each held 25 cups, this was to last 8 weeks meaning you had approx 400 1/4 cup servings. the producers (me) worked on the premise of both teams losing equal partners, allowing for 2 weeks with 8 players, 2 weeks with 7 players, 2 weeks with 6 players, 2 weeks with 5 players, 1 week with 4 players then the merge and new food...I add that up to 392 servings... assuming you guys stuck to that serving size, you have used up 182 servings already leaving 218 oatmeal servings... The only reason I mention it to keep you guys aware of the food situation... mind you in another 2 weeks or so more food/fruit will have come to growth/ripen, but you will have these periods every so often where you have used up the immediate available fruits. the taro there is still tons of since you have seldom used it so far. the giant clams are still fairly plentiful, but if you have them more than 1 or 2 times a week the clambed might become diminished too much. fish are still out there by the tons, crawfish are everywhere as are normal and coconut crabs and even the spiny lobsters are still plentiful.

17:12
May 11, 2001

From Colleen

there have been "no" votes for an early merger as well as for sharing the previous week's chat pages so neither of those things will occur. the game goes on as planned. thanks!

17:28
May 11, 2001

Cobra looks Lyda Ruth in the eye,"There you go again, trying to twist things. Basically, you are a big quitter, but if it makes you feel any better to feel you are doing all of us a favor, by all means do so. I won't let you off the hook though. You are a big quitter, and will have to live with that."

He shakes his head,"Also, I know you all don't like me, and quite frankly, it wasn't my idea of fun to be trapped out here with a bunch of snivelling females. So, there it is. We should vote Lyda off, she is nothing but a quitter anyway!"

19:36
May 11, 2001

From Colleen: all votes are in so I will post tribal council now...

As each player packs and grabs their torches the thought comes unbidden into each mind that Nicarong players have not even held their torches much less thought about having it doused at Tribal Council.

20:09
May 11, 2001

From Colleen

The path is well known to you by now and the circle of stones much more spacious as the tribe dwindles. Gia cuts right to the chase, asking Lola, "Lola, How did your tribe feel when you were given the oppurtunity to share messages with Nicarong and Nicarong sent only heartfelt positive thoughts to help you cope and you sent them harsh propoganda promising pain?"

Lola obviously has thought about this as she answers "I don't know about everyone else, but I felt a little guilty. I think we were all so upset about losing that we probably wanted to lash out at the Nicarongs. I know I figured they were gloating about all their wins, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe the reason they are doing so much better than us is that they have a better understanding about working together."

20:10
May 11, 2001

From colleen

Gia then nods and walks to the other side of the clearing, saying to Lyda Ruth, "At this point, the best you can hope for in the merge is a barely equal power balance and that assumes that Nicarong lose the next 4 immunity challenges. What skills will you and your teammates bring and use to find a place in the new final tribe?"

Lyda Ruth looks resolved as she answers "Well Gia, to be quite honest with you, I think the odds were stacked against us all along, and when the tribes merge Ocono will just get picked off one at a time anyway. These are some of the nicest kids here you would want to meet, Roxie is very spiritual and Mandy is like a little mother hen, she takes care of everybody. Lola is a hard worker who brings in food and other things we need, and Cobra, well Cobra is an endless source of amusement and entertainment!!! I have asked to get voted off and go home tonight, so if everyone honors my wishes I will be the one to leave tonight, my thoughts will remain here with my friends and I wish them all the best. I will keep tabs on them and see how they are doing. "

20:11
May 11, 2001

From Colleen: Even Gia looks a little surprised at that answer. She gestures to the voting drum and each player writes down a name. Gia is quick as she counts the votes, looking to each face in the flickering firelight as she counts.

"First vote, Cobra" "Second vote, Cobra" "Third vote, Mandy"

this seems to surprise a few people. "Fourth vote, Cobra" Gia says "I'll read the last vote but we know the outcome. fifth vote, Cobra."

20:11
May 11, 2001

From Colleen

"Cobra, bring me your torch. The tribe has spoken, you must leave tribal council immediately." Gia puts out Cobra's flame and with several louds toots he walks out of the clearing singing some off-color ditty. Somehow, the walk back to camp seems lonely without his presence.

20:12
May 11, 2001

From Colleen

As Cobra walks from the tribal council, you hear him humming "leaving on a jet plane"

20:14
May 11, 2001

Roxie

"Hooray!!!!! Lyda Ruth is staying! Thank you Lord! And smelly old Cobra is gone! I sure won't miss his constant tooting! And no more cockroaches for pets at the campsite! We should have a celebration. Now the best of our tribe is left and we have to win the immunity challenges from now on! What do you say girls?"

Show a great big smile and open arms...

20:40
May 11, 2001

Lola gives Roxie a high 5. "Now we have a team that wants to work together. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to miss Cobra one bit."

20:51
May 11, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Is a bit sad to not be on her way home, but is also glad to be with her friends. "Cobra sure was a strange kid wasn't he? He never once tried to get along with any of us or work with us, I don't understand, it is like he wanted to leave. And after saying he wanted to vote me off he went after Mandy, now that is strange too. Well girls here we are, you know as well as I do that it is almost impossible for us to get any further than we have, next week another one of us will have to get voted off, and I will be the one to go, I don't want to merge with them just to have one of them vote me off, I cannot deal with that. Even tho Gia says they sent us all those heartfelt wishes and such I never believed a word of it, they WERE gloating and rubbing it in by trying to be nice, but they didn't mean it, so I will not give them the chance to get rid of me, I will stay with you guys till we have to vote again, then you have to promise me to let me go. Until then yes the best of our team is here right now, and we at least have this next week to enjoy each others company and sleep in fresher air (giggle, giggle) and there are no secrets or alliances anymore, it is all for one and one for all, the 4 of us till the end!!!"

21:23
May 11, 2001

From Colleen (per Cobra's exit instructions)

As Lyda Ruth takes some things out to unpack her backpack after returnign from camp Ringo John and Paul crawl out on her hands....

George finds his way out of Mandy's backpack when she unpacks....

23:12
May 11, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"I agree, Lyda Ruth! We are a great team! We don't have anyone left that doesn't work or doesn't like us. We are going to win from now on!" Mandy says as she hugs her friends. "Girls, tomorrow, let's catch some crawfish for a change. Gia mentioned how tasty those are and I want to try them!"

Mandy walks out to the ocean and hums to herself while she washes her face and gets ready for bed. She cleans her teeth with a corner of her shirt and then heads back to camp. She snuggles under the beach blanket and enjoys the fresh air and quiet night. She almost gets to sleep when she remembers Cobra's "pets". "Tomorrow, we'll have to let those horrible things go!" she thinks. Then she drifts off to sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

23:18
May 11, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Feels creepy cralies on her hands but brushes them off without giving them too much thought, they have become accustomed to crawlies here in Kosrae. She finishes her bedtime routine and then once again goes and snuggles down with her new friends, "till the end" she thnks sleepily, praying their tide will turn this next week.

23:34
May 11, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy awakens with a start. "Do you suppose those bugs that were in Lyda Ruth's bag and mine could be...naw..." Mandy tosses and turns some more. Finally, she can't stand it. She gets up and goes over to where Cobra always kept his "pets". She carefully opens the oatmeal barrel and there are no bugs! "Do you suppose Cobra put his "pets" into our packs?" Mandy wonders. She shudders just thinking about it. She goes back and covers her head with the blanket and fights to get to sleep...

23:37
May 11, 2001

Roxie

"Goodnight Lyda Ruth, goodnight Lola, goodnight Mandy. The air sure is fresh tonight! Hahaha....."

23:55
May 11, 2001

Roxie

Wakes up smiling because Lyda Ruth is still here... "Ahhh, what a great morning. I think I will take a walk and then take a bath and wash out some clothes. I feel a bit grungy. Then I'll go for some water and look for fruit or any other edibles. Is that Mandy up over there? She sure gets up early!"

Stretches and yawns and gets up to start the day...

09:58
May 12, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Wakes up and stretches out too. "Good morning girls, it looks like it is going to be a nice day today, sure wish we had some donuts for breakfast, with chocolate milk, I bet that mean old cobra is pigging out on goodies about now!!! Oh well, we have oatmeal. I think we need to go back into the woods and get more leaves for our beds, these are getting a bit dry and crunchy, and also we need to gather as much food as we can before tomorrow, remember sundays we can't do much, can you believe another sunday is here already?"

15:32
May 12, 2001

Roxie

"Hey, I found a bunch of 3 bananas that should last until tomorrow. We have plenty of water and oatmeal. Some taro or fish would be good for tonight. Lyda Ruth, do you want to go help me cut leaves for bedding? We'll need the knife. Lola, you look like you're about to go swimming? Did anyone check the fish trap today? Mandy you haven't said much today? Everything OK? I think we have a nice intimate tribe now! And we're ALL GIRLS! We have to win the remaining challenges now. It's time for Nicarong to cut the fat. I'm sure they have some members who need to go home. I can't believe that they are all getting along well together? They are probably fighting among themselves. At least WE GIRLS all get along well! OK I'll be quiet and get busy now. I feel full of energy today!"

Does a cartwheel on the sand and bounces up like a gymnast...

17:35
May 12, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Sorry I've been so quiet today! I'm trying to think of some new way to prepare fish. My trap caught 5 more over night and I want to fix them tonight. It's too bad we don't have any flour or seasonings." said Mandy with a sigh.

Mandy has the five fish swimming around in the cooking pot for now. She will take them out closer to dinner time and clean them down on the beach, away from camp. Right now, the others are using the knife to make fresh beds. "It will sure be great to sleep on fresh leaves!" Mandy says with a smile.

18:04
May 12, 2001

Lola comes back to camp with several taro plants and a lime. "Hey guys, what have you been up to? I've been scouting around all day, seeing if there is more food we don't know about. I didn't find much, but I did pick some more taro and I found one lime that we missed. It will go great with Mandy's fish."

21:27
May 12, 2001

Roxie

"What a good dinner and a good day! I don't usually like to eat so close to bed time but I guess it will be OK. I want to go to sleep so I can get up early in the morning and hear the beautiful gospel singing. I think we can all share my pillow if we sleep all around it. Just push me over if I'm hogging it! Hahaha... Goodnight everyone!"

Yawns and walks toward the shelter where the clean bedding has been laid...

23:24
May 12, 2001

Lola helps clean up the camp and boils one last container of water before heading for bed. She settles down next to Roxie and tells the girls "Good night."

23:56
May 12, 2001

Lyda Ruth

Crawls into the shelter and snuggles down on top of her ducky rain coat and under her blanket, with her head on one edge of the pillow the girls now all share. "You guys know that my grandma is German right? Well in Germany they tell stories about the sandman, he is a little elf type guy who has a bag of sleep sand and goes to all the kids at night and sprinkles the sand in their eyes so they will fall asleep. when my Mom was a little girl she would lay realy still in bed and peek out from under her eye lashes and just wait and wait to catch that sandman, but she never did, she figured he was too quick for her to see and put the sand in her eyes without her seeing him because she always fell asleep. Hey, do you girls suppose he finds us here in our shelter too? Rox? Lola? Mandy? Hey guys??? You asleep or what???? YAWN YAWN YAWN Oh I guess that ole sandman got to them already, and I think he got me too while I was telling my story, just like Mom says, he sure is fast....ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

00:05
May 13, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy crawls into bed after that filling meal. She likes Lyda Ruth's story about the Sandman. She listened to her as she drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a wonderful day...Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

01:10
May 13, 2001

From Colleen

of the fruit & veggies won in the challenge, most of the fruit has gone mushy and overripe except the oranges, but the veggies are still somewhat okay, especially the broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and green peppers. the lettuce is brown and wilted if there is any left.

interesting thing, an eel managed to work its way into the fish trap...it's doesn't look to be an electric eel, but it's there in the morning, swimming around...

02:19
May 13, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy awakens and hears the choirs singing. "Oh, what a beautiful sound!" she thinks. She takes care of business and puts her coverup dress and sandals on. This is Sunday, a day of rest, so she doesn't have to worry about gathering water or doing too much. She is kind of looking forward to today. The girls will probably play games and talk and just have fun. Mandy takes the beach umbrella and heads to the beach. "Today would be a great day to have a picnic on the beach and just relax! After propping the umbrella up in the sand, Mandy walks over to her fish trap to see what swam into it since yesterday. "Oh my gosh! There's an eel in there!" "The girls have got to see this!" thinks Mandy as she runs back to camp.

"Girls, wake up! You won't believe what my fish trap caught!" "Hurry!" says Mandy as she hops around excitedly.

09:42
May 13, 2001

from Colleen

It's a nice calm day, 82 degrees, cloudy but no sign of rain and very mild breeze that keeps changing direction...

The choir music as every week, wakes you with its stunning beauty and the powerful voices raised in unity and love up to the heavens.

11:01
May 13, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

The girls are slow to awaken, so Mandy rushes over to the survival guide and tries to look up "eels" in the book...

15:29
May 13, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

Mandy looks up a section on edible animals. She reads...aardvark, abalone, ...bass, bat,...cicada, civet,...eel! "Yes, you can eat eel. It doesn't tell me how to cook it or anything, but at least I know that if we can catch it tomorrow, we can eat it!"

Mandy runs back over to the sleeping trio and gently nudges each one to wake up. "You'll never guess what is in the fish trap!" she again says excitedly. "Come on! Get dressed and come see!"

15:37
May 13, 2001

Roxie

"An eel!!! Can we touch that thing? I wonder what it tastes like? Come look everybody!"

Jumps up and down excitedly

17:28
May 13, 2001

Lola rushes over with the girls to check out the eel. She looks at Mandy skeptically. "Are you SURE it says we can eat these in the Survival guide?" she asks. "And if so, will it last until tomorrow since we can't make a fire today?"

19:33
May 13, 2001

Mandy Estelleita

"Lola, the guide says they are edible." "We can either try to catch it today and place it in the cooking pot with water and figure out how to kill it tomorrow, or we can put some stakes across the entrance to the trap and hope that that keeps him in the trap until tomorrow." says Mandy as she talks to her friends excitedly. "I would think we could prepare it like you would a snake." "You cut off the head and a portion of it below the head to get rid of poison glands. Then you skin it and cook it."

"So, do we catch it today or block off the trap?"

21:50
May 13, 2001

Lola thinks a minute. "I'm for blocking off the trap. Because it might contaminiate something if we keep it alive in camp. Come on, I'll help you."

23:05
May 13, 2001