Independence Day

September 15 is Central American Independence Day. Or something like that. I didn't know that the whole of Central America had an independence day, but apparently they do. Apparently its also tradition for people to run a torch (like the Olympic torch) from Guatemala to Costa Rica. The story goes that when Central America won its independence from Spain, the people ran out of their houses with their torches to celebrate. So, that tradition continues to this day. Every year during the month of September, a torch gets passed to the people from the park, and they run it through the park. And I got to participate! Kind of. I was doing laundry, when I ran into Elvin (local Tico, has worked with spider monkeys in the park for 7 years [!]) who said I should come along to see the torch. I wasn't quite sure what I was in for, but I went along. We hung out at the entrance to the park (for like 3 hours, a little long than I was expecting, but hey, that's Tico time). There were a lot of people driving by in cars and on bikes with Costa Rica flags and everybody was just hanging out, having a good time. Then the guy who was carrying the torch came and lit the torch that belongs to the park, and some guys from the park ran it to the Casona, which is a historical ranch house. I just sat in the truck, as I wasn't up for running. An interesting tradition, I think. We don't really have an equivalent in the States, at least not something that all people can participate in. I'm glad I got to be a part of it, if only from an on-lookers perspective.

Silent Smack Down

The monkeys ran all over carnation today. Like three times what they normally range. I'm exhausted! My males pulled a sneak attack on one of our other study groups today. I didn't even notice that my males were gone (well, actually, if we're talking about human primate males, I have noticed, actually, but that's a different blog...) until I heard a bunch of alarm calling in the far distance and thought, 'that's weird'. Then Reid, who works with the LV group, came on the radio asking me where I was with my monkeys, and it turned out my males silently ran over to put the smack down on LV group. We always 'win' those intergroup encounters.

I will let adorable pictures tell the rest of the story of my day.


Norbert and Minvera. Look at those ears!









Hufflepuff; it looks like he's being ordained for something. Saint Huffle The Adorable.





Happy monkey family. Marmite, Padma, and unnamed baby make three.





I love this picture because it looks like Padma's smiling. Like she knows something Marmite doesn't. Haha - you think this baby is yours, but actually... Too bad it isn't in better focus.

I Heart Hufflepuff

So, I'm sure you're sick of hearing about monkey babies. But really, what else am I going to write about? So, Hufflepuff is off of his mom a lot lately, and is really the cutest thing since sliced bread. And everyone loves him! I saw Crabbe, one of the males, carrying him on his back twice today. And the smaller immatures and some other infants were having a play session with him today. Huffle climbed onto one of the juvenile's head and then used it to jump onto a branch that was above him - adorable! Norbert (the next oldest after Huffle) has changed a lot in only the last few days. His ears are now soooo big, as are his eyes! I think Norbert is really the perfect name for him - he looks exactly like a Norbert should. I thought all the babies would look alike, but I can definitely tell the difference between the two.

Marshmallow head!!!!!!!

We got back from Nicaragua day before yesterday. It was a very relaxing trip. We pretty much just hung around town or the hostel. But, oh my gosh, _the_ most embarrassing thing happened to me. I was going out on my own to just wander around town, and as I was walking into the bank, a local girl came up to me and was like ´your dress, your dress´. I wasn´t sure what she was getting at, then she made some kind of motion to her back, and I realized I had tucked my dress into my underwear when I had gone to the bathroom right before I left the hostel. So, I walked all the way through the common central garden in the hostel, and two blocks with my ass hanging out before someone was kind enough to point it out. Could have been worse, though, I could have walked through the whole town that way! Once I got into the bank, I just focused on getting some money from the ATM, but was dreading going back out onto the street, where people had just been laughing at me. But, thankfully, right when I leaving the bank, a bus pulled up that blocked their view, and I quickly walked down the street the other way. I will never wear that dress in Granada again, if I come back, for fear of being recognized and publicly mocked.

I really like Granada. Lots of bright colors on the buildings; and all that charming colonial architecture. Although imperialism isn't quite so charming, those Spanish sure could erect some purdy buildings! All the houses are like my dream house. Beautiful tile, central garden, everything very open and breezy. Except that the houses are right off the street. So basically your living room is right off the sidewalk. That would be weird, I'd need a little more privacy then that. Enjoyed the trip, but am still happy to be back 'home' and back in the jungle!

Central Square

Kate and Reid in the shade