I would like to preface this post by sharing a little Peace Corps insight. During Pre-Service Training we are all told over and over to take chances and say 'yes' to new experiences...as long as they comply with the rules we need to follow for safety and security reasons. I've been trying my best to have the adventure of a life time. I say yes to things without even know what might be in store. This was exactly the case on Wednesday on our trip from Singburi to Kamphaeng Phet. Wednesday morning was emotional. We all knew we had to leave and start our own individual adventures in separate villages all over the country. That being said, there were very few tears as we were driven away by our counter-parts and co-teachers. So, we're driving to my site, we stop for lunch, I'm a little nervous (as anyone would be) but trying to make the most of it when Kru Kate asks if I want to go see the monkeys. In grand old Peace Corps fashion I responded with a quick yes and a smile. We are in Thailand after all and the monkeys here are as cute as anywhere.
So, at this point I'm thinking we're going to some sort of monkey preserve much like the bison range in Montana or something along those lines. Soon, out of nowhere there are these two 'mountains' in the middle of the rice fields. We turn and head straight for one called Khao No. She tells me that there are thousands of monkeys that live on the mountain in caves and at dusk thousands of bats fly out of the caves too. I'm thinking, nature; cool. We continue driving around the base of the mountain and see monkeys paying, swimming in puddles, cleaning each other and doing other wild monkey activities. we drive for about five minutes and then she pulls over next to trolly covered in wire and filled with food to feed the monkeys. Kate jumps out of the car, I follow her lead hesitantly and the monkeys instantly know whats up. Not fifteen seconds later we are surrounded by over 200 primates. Kru Kate then hands me a bag of nuts to feed to the little (and in some cases not so little) creatures. They are all around me so I thought if i threw them further away they might run to gather around the tossed food. Good in theory but actuality is another story entirely. I continue to throw the nuts when a monkey starts to pull my skirt. My skirt was sliding over my hips so i shoo the monkey way and pull up my skirt when it hits me. And by 'it' I mean a monkey. I was distracted by the little monkey on the ground and a much larger money decided it was time for action. He lunged at me, grabbed the bag of nuts from my hand and then jumped over my shoulder and ran away. I about lost it. I wasn't hurt, just a little scrape but I was seriously freaked out. I just stood there with my hands together looking at all of the other 400 eyes staring at me saying in Thai, I don't like monkeys! We stayed for another five minutes before we left. I can't wait to take people there when they visit. I'll stay in the car but it was such a surreal experience I think everyone should try it.
Lesson learned: Its nice to see animals in their natural habitat. You should leave them there and not disturb their way to life. Thailand might need signs that say, 'Don't feed the Monkeys' like we have for the bears in Washington.
Let the adventure continue!
So, at this point I'm thinking we're going to some sort of monkey preserve much like the bison range in Montana or something along those lines. Soon, out of nowhere there are these two 'mountains' in the middle of the rice fields. We turn and head straight for one called Khao No. She tells me that there are thousands of monkeys that live on the mountain in caves and at dusk thousands of bats fly out of the caves too. I'm thinking, nature; cool. We continue driving around the base of the mountain and see monkeys paying, swimming in puddles, cleaning each other and doing other wild monkey activities. we drive for about five minutes and then she pulls over next to trolly covered in wire and filled with food to feed the monkeys. Kate jumps out of the car, I follow her lead hesitantly and the monkeys instantly know whats up. Not fifteen seconds later we are surrounded by over 200 primates. Kru Kate then hands me a bag of nuts to feed to the little (and in some cases not so little) creatures. They are all around me so I thought if i threw them further away they might run to gather around the tossed food. Good in theory but actuality is another story entirely. I continue to throw the nuts when a monkey starts to pull my skirt. My skirt was sliding over my hips so i shoo the monkey way and pull up my skirt when it hits me. And by 'it' I mean a monkey. I was distracted by the little monkey on the ground and a much larger money decided it was time for action. He lunged at me, grabbed the bag of nuts from my hand and then jumped over my shoulder and ran away. I about lost it. I wasn't hurt, just a little scrape but I was seriously freaked out. I just stood there with my hands together looking at all of the other 400 eyes staring at me saying in Thai, I don't like monkeys! We stayed for another five minutes before we left. I can't wait to take people there when they visit. I'll stay in the car but it was such a surreal experience I think everyone should try it.Lesson learned: Its nice to see animals in their natural habitat. You should leave them there and not disturb their way to life. Thailand might need signs that say, 'Don't feed the Monkeys' like we have for the bears in Washington.
Let the adventure continue!
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