They recycle newspapers to roll tobacco cigarettes, which they smoke while gambling among friends. Chewing beetle nuts for the mild narcotic effect is common, too. They are still quite primitive and very afraid of possible evil. For example, if someone dies, their house is burned to the ground and the tribe smears itself with mud to hide from spirits. In addition to learning and understanding some of the 849 languages used in the region, the Jordans find merely surviving takes a lot of time.
Cooking is done over an open fire, either outside or in the middle of the house.
An old pot lid is often used as a plate, if clean banana leaves are not handy. The main staples are rice or sweet potato scones, which are sometimes sold for six cents each. Short pieces of bamboo make an excellent rolling pin. An empty tuna can is often recycled as a biscuit cutter. Most natives have little education, so they can't read or write, but they can count, if they can use their fingers and toes, too.