ECHO

ECHO was a beautiful and intriguing place. I know the tour guide said a lot and he gave so much information, but truth is I wasn't paying attention to him. In part I was. I was aware of the small presentations he gave about the simple water pumps, and the cooking devices left out in the sun. But as he spoke all I could think of was how amazing it would be to spend days there. Do the work for myself. When he mentioned that the interns were set the task of living in the conditions available and only surviving by what the land has to give, I felt jealous. I wanted to do that, and that's saying a lot seeing as how I don't like spending too much time outside in the heat of Florida.

I have never felt that type of necessity, and even though it was a mock survival lesson, I think it would be helpful if I experienced it first hand. My mental capacity is great, but my physical fitness is beyond inadequate. I wonder if I could even be able to build myself a simple shelter. I would most likely not survive.

Another one of my flaws is the fear of animals. In nature and since the beginning of man kind, we have depended on animals for food, clothing, and other sources of help. Yet I am terified of even the smallest domestic animal. If I am to depend on a larger animal or animals, I would much rather die of hypothermia, starvation or even be eaten by the animal itself.

When I saw this funky looking animal I was scared to even take a picture of it. The Turken, as it's called, is supposed to be easier to tame, and since they can be considered food and help fertilize the soil and the plants, they are a convenient animal to keep around.

When our world comes to a point of survival of the fittest, will I just be a nuisance and a bother to those who really are capable of surviving?