Moving from Monkey Maddness

So I stayed for a week at the Monkey Rescue centre in Puyo...and it was fantastic. The daily schedule was similar to this:

Wake up at 8:00 to prepare the animals brekfast, consisting mostly of papaya, melon, mango and sweet corn. Then go give it to them, calling "A Comer!" The parrots like to copy this and so sing along, "A comer A comer...."

The rest of the day is spent playing with and looking after the monkeys and other animals, though mianly monkeys. Giving love and care where needed, observing, ensuring that tourists dont mistreat the animals, dont use camera flash etc...and preparing them for the high possibility of monkeys grabbing their personal belongings and hiding them in the trees. I regularly had monkeys wrapped around my head, legs, torso; licking me, pulling my hair, generally using me as a climbing frame. Occasion pooping on my top or in my hair, or sticking their head into my bra. Amazing AMAZING creatures. very intelligent, beautiful, sensitive, wonderful to be around. Incredible bodies and abilities. Learning about the ways of these special beings has been a true pleasure...yes, even with the shit.

I also spent many nights out on the town with my formed tribe here, or drinking and eating at Veronicas house (a co manager of the rescue centre) who often prepared lovely meals in the evening and gave Beer to us all night long. I was never a beer drinker, but im getting into it here in South America.

On friday we went to a club in Puyo and danced all night long to sexy beats. On Saturday we went to the Jungle land of a guide at the rescue centre. It was an hour long ride to get there, and i sat in the back of a truck in the open air. This has been a little dream of mine for a while. Im enjoying the unfolding of my dreams. The Guide had invited us to his land to celebrate carnival, have our faces and hair covered in white powder, salsa dance into the dark and play with all of the local children who giggled and ran around all night long...and who seemed very amused at my skirt and long hair!?

On Monday we went into town to watch a parade, be attacked by coloured foam (we also got some for the purpose of self defense. It was needed to be used a lot. I actually chased a lad who got me in the face. I was not impressed, though thankfully my face didnt come up in a rash like it did one of my friends). It was fun to see people celebrate so energetically, having fun, being naughty but expected to be so in the name of fiesta and celebration, letting go of normal conventions.

I also enjoyed solo walks into the jungle, searching for little frogs, watching colourful insects and fire flys dance between the vines, trees and exotic medicinal plants. I befriended the trees. There was also a river which i dipped into one evening; very cool, refreshing, clear. A real treat to have access to. I got out in the dark though, when the mozzies come out (its not a malaria zone worry not) and got bitten all over my legs. Apparently my blood tastes acceptable.

Now Im in Quito, another long bus and tram ride to get here. Im in a hotel reccomended by Veronica and i like it here. I have a room to myself which is clean and has its own bathroom attached. There is a swiis bistro joined onto the hostel and i just ate my way through a huge cheese fondu. I´m full and ready to read a book in bed.

that i shall do!

Mwah x