The Wild Chicken Hunt

In the early days of this macadamia farm, there was a lack of meat. However, there are several wild chickens in the area. When I want meat, I will find it. I figure, how hard can catching a wild chicken be? You would be surprised. These guys fly much better than farm poultry. Allow me to set the scene for you...

The work day is over, clouds are rolling in as they normally do. I can hear the roosters in the area. Several of them in each direction. The air is thick and cool with the aroma of rain coming off the volcano. The only tools to hunt with are a sling, knife and some rope. I suit up and get into the thick of the land.

First step, make a spear and small fire to harden the tip. If I can get to one, I want to make sure it is a solid and fatal strike. Amazingly, nothing seems to burn. Not dry leaves, nor kindling will catch a flame as I shield the warm breeze with my leather hat. Finally, we get a small fire rolling with palm leaves and our spears are ready to go.

Another fella from Montana has joined me on this hunt, for we both want some fresh meat. We start in the direction of the closest rooster crow and hop an ancient stone wall into a coffee field. The wind begins to whip up stronger, blowing the flowering coffee buds into the air like a light dusting of snow. We are on a private farm and in this area of the island; cops don't get called, locals deal with problems themselves. Stealth is a must, as the dense areas can quickly open up into a camp site or house.

We follow the calls around the coffee groves when the rain begins. A drizzle at first, so we continue into denser areas of macadamia trees and sprouts (which have leaves like thistles). We speak with our hands and keep low to avoid being seen. In the clearing ahead we can hear the rooster seemingly taunting us and it's hens jump a wall into the sight of a house. We have to find new prey.

We track another group to the backside of our farm when the sky opens up and the rain pours down. At this point, we have been in the slow rain for a hour. My buddy heads into shelter and calls it a day. I refuse to go without a kill. I lay low and let the rain roll off my hat while listening to the cadence of water falling on the leaves. I spot my prey wandering into thick, tall grass, easily the height of myself. My only option is to crawl on the rocky soil and leave my spear behind. The parted grass makes a tunnel way where wild boar have traveled. As I get deeper into the density of the terrain, I can no longer move and have to turn back. After another hour, soaked in rain with cuts on my arms and dirt on my face, the sun falls low and the last days of light are all that I have to make it back.

When I emerge from the tunnels, I see the chickens. I pull out my sling, picked up a lava rock and load my weapon. It is perched in a palm tree and staring me down. It is in that second that hunter and prey connect. It's fait is in my hands as I twirl the rock around my head and launch it at my dinner. She flinches and cries out as my lava stone speeds towards her. A palm leaf dips down in the wind and alters the path, missing my target by only inches. She flies away with the others as I load and fire again. I watched my meal take to the sky as the clouds parted and the last bit of sun shines on the wet ground as the dark lava stones dully glisten.

I walk back to my yurt with only a few fresh oranges that fell in the rain storm. Something catches my eye, low on the ground and motionless against a macadamia tree. A hen, watching as I pass by. I pull out my knife and slowly lower myself, only feet away. I could have lunged out and easily grabbed it by the neck, when I thought it odd that it would remain so still while I was so close. That's when I saw the egg protruding from its side. It was nesting with over a dozen eggs. I staired into its dark tiny eyes and thought about my next actions.

I stood tall, sheathed my blade and returned to my yurt. Accepting that my dinner was not worth the cost of a dozen chicks.

The First Farm

After 4600 miles, four nights sleeping in airports and a missed flight... we finally arrived at our farming destination on the Big Island of Hawaii. The welcoming from locals was one of warm words and hospitality that could almost rival a southern town.

Then when we got our bags from the carousel, we did not find our hosts. Traveling with two hungry and sleep deprived women who were ready to sink teeth into the first unknowing victim, made the day of laying in baggage claim a more than exciting experience. After such a journey to arrive, our farm host had the incompetence to hold up their end of the agreement. After 8 hours searching for alternative options from hostels to camping and Craigslist sublets, we picked up a taxi to jump on a bus. We (the girls) decided that we were getting to that farm to make a point of commitment and find out why they did not show up. To make this short, they failed to have a good reason. I stuck with it to see how it was going to work out. Plan B would have been a better choice.

The first day was revealing to the lack of communication between the hosts. She is a New Yorker and has the hospitality of one. So far, I have not told her off, but we are only on day two. The man who works the land is naive to safety. He tells one worker to climb a tree to fix his mistake of improperly sawing down a tree. Saying he will toss up the chainsaw for the farm hand to cut the remaining tree in half. Needless to say, that idea failed. So I stepped in and showed a way to bring it down with out the chance of amputation. At the end of the day, he wants to show off his ignorance by having us toss machetties at him to catch them. Fail. This man is alive is purely by the grace of God.

Needless to say, this farm will be short lived. The lack of safety and gratitude towards the people who make the farm function is its downfall. Lucky for me, I found a better farm on the north shore in an old sugar plantation town... next to a rainforest. Awesome? Indeed.

I will be traveling there on the 1st of March. Possibly sooner if the New York woman says the wrong thing, which is getting close. This would cause me to leave my group behind, but in all honesty, I do not frown at that idea. For now, I'm simply going to enjoy the sun and surf.

Problems in Hawaii are much better problems than most. There are wild chickens, boars and fish. So if all else fails, I can walk into the jungle and be a wild man of nature! This could turn into quite an adventure...

The French Quarters

Never in history has such words been spoke , so I will the the first and only... The French finally saved something! New Orleans was low on my list until I spent the day I the French Quarters. The buildings are beautiful, the air smells of food, plants and pastries. People seem to be generally kinder as well. There is more history to read, more statues and gardens to enjoy. I would recommend this to be the first (and possibly only) place to explore in the city. Of course there are always people out to scam tourists, so do not shake hands with anyone that talks about shoes. They are normally dirty and unhygienic anyhow.

My number one suggestion for this entire city, do NOT drive. People are walking drunk. Drivers are idiots and the roads make Incan foot trails look like paved high ways. Save the head ache and buy a day pass for the busses and trollies.

This ends the short journey in New Orleans. For those keeping count, I did not explore the third day. After eating bad eggs at 2am, I opted to lay on the couch and not vomit all over the town... although depending on the area, no one may have noticed.

To Hawaii!

Day 1 - New Orleans

My first impressions of The Big Easy lead me to believe that such a resilient town would have excellent character. It does indeed have character, but the excellence is a bit lack luster. Right from the start, the filth lines the streets on every block. This is only the first day, but I have yet to find a n intersection that does not have trash or foul odors. The locals working in customer service positions are rude and testing of patience. So when you come to this town, lower your expectations to zero and leave your manners in the street when ordering your food. This does not apply to real sit down restaurants.

This city does love its music and booze though! The air is filled with live music in every bar and on most the street corners on Bourbon Street. There is a liquor stand or hole in the wall vendor every hundred feet and most places take happy hour to the extreme. Several places advertised all drinks, buy one, get 3. I would expect the pours to be a bit on the short side, but I am not indulging on this expedition for the sake of cost. I would recommend a nose plug, because your ears will rejoice to the sounds while your nostrils cry. Also, watch out for horse shit and do NOT step in the water puddles. One child ahead of me did just that and the parents had to suffer the stench. Side note, you're a terrible parent if you walk your kids down Bourbon Street. Seriously, nothing about strip clubs, loose women or water falls of booze screams child friendly.

New Orleans is the Vegas of the Southeast with less Elvis and more open containers.

I will say this, the hostel I am staying at is awesome. I will post a separate entry for them. I recommend the Indian House Hostel to anyone wanting a fun place to stay and don't mind company.

The Hawaiian Excursion

 February 16th, 10:10pm

The time has come. My bags are packed and the car is being loaded. The Great Hawaiian Excursion, has officially begun. My first stop, New Orleans for 3 days in a hostel. From there, we will fly to the islands. Keep an eye out for updates as the journey moves forward. Without a laptop, I will not be posting my DSLR images, but I will have behind the scenes from my phone to view in the mean time!

Check out my website, www.adamheimerman.com and if you would like to help fund this excursion, purchase a print or download from the store (store tab on my website). Use the promo code Hawaii at checkout and I will give you a 30% discount! Help me help you... decorate your walls that is.

 Let this journey begin!