Existential Engineering: who are we really helping?: The Hunt

Quietly stepping quickly through the damp forest, tracking down your prey. A twig snaps behind you under the weight of another foot. A fellow hunter follows your footsteps in hope to strike your prey first. Now hot with competition, you pick up your pace and squint your eyes to sharpen your vision. A flash of yellow appears 10 meters at 2 o'clock. Knife out, ready for the pounce, you sneak up slowly without disturbing the surroundings. Taking a breath in, you fall to all fours and attack! AH! Blast! It's only a Hydnum umbilicatum, of the non-edible kind. Disappointed that is not a delicious chantrelle mushroom, but still rather pleased with yourself for correctly identifying the fungus specimen, you continue your quest deeper into the Austrian old growth forest.

This is what I did today with my host family. It's funny how much of an exciting sport this mushroom hunting can be--especially with kids! Even though these mushrooms aren't going anywhere, you will always find yourself eagerly chasing them down.

The attack

Eagerly hunting for the mushrooms

The prized Eierschwammerl! (Chantrelle)

After our hunt, we got to head over to the next door neighbor's cow farm. There we played with baby cows, kittens and udders. What a fun-filled sunday :)