Monkey Business
This week, I was supposed to be volunteering at a monkey refuge in Ecuador. I’m afraid, it didn’t quite turn out how I thought.
Have you ever trusted someone implicitly? I have a friend that is, the coolest person I know. Five years ago, she volunteered at the same refuge, and called it the experience of a life time. She stayed in a small cabin in the jungle. The monkeys were free in the jungle. The refuge flourished with volunteers. And, each day was spent playing with, feeding and interacting with the monkeys. I signed up for a week.
<insert sad trombone sound effect>
I arrive in a pounding, jungle rain. I walk into the refuge, and walk down a narrow path made of slippery boulders. On either side of me, cages loom high above. The monkeys begin to jump against the cages and scream loudly.
Just like Andy Dufrain, I push forward. I stumble into the house and am overwhelmed by filth and odor. I introduce myself and am shown to my room. A pit of mildew and bunk beds. Only 1 bed has a mosquito net, it’s not the one that’s set. I set my stuff down and repress my warning sensors. In the back of my mind, this is how horror movies start.
I begin to trace back my steps. My chance encounters en route to the refuge. The bus ride down was OK. The place I got lunch was a little weird. They had a few giant snakes out. The cab on the way to the refuge drove incredibly fast. And..
A brief walk-through of the refuge and it was confirmed. All animals are in cages and not to be interacted with. Volunteer duties would consist of:
- Preparing monkey meals (counting bananas)
- Throwing bananas over the cage
- Gathering and cleaning monkey bowls
In addition to all of that animal interaction, the volunteer must also:
- Cook for owner
- Clean kitchen
- Clean bathrooms
- Mop floors
I did feed all of the animals, and cleaned their bowls. Soon after it began to downpour again. I sat on a bench, considering my options. I could just leave. But, the rain was unrelenting and there was no way, I could walk all the way to town. I could spend the night there and leave quietly in the morning. I could say I want to go into town and never return. And, I sat. I watched the rain and thought.
In the end, I decided sincerity is the best policy. I approached the owner and explained my predicament. He was very understanding, and I had the feeling I am not the first one to extracate myself. He explained that a few years ago, the monkeys all had to be moved to cages because they were violent with each other and with humans. I suspected the growth of the refuge was more of an influence.
And so I return to Banos. A little deflated. But, I am proud of myself for speaking my mind and leaving. I’m going to spend two more nights in Banos and plan my next move.
#timtears 
One Response to “Monkey Business”
You did the right thing, and it’s good you had the presence of mind to do so. It sounds rather dreadful.
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