Different Rescue, Same story!

Yesterday, I finally went to Merazonia Wildlife rescue center. It’s located in Mera, a small town between Banos and Puyo, in Ecuador. It is a five minute taxi ride away from the police check point, which is very convenient as they get most of their animal through illegal trafficking. The place is huge. First, it is similar to “La Ceiba” at the Jaguar Rescue center, in the sense that it is deep in the jungle. You cross a river, and you are still trekking a bit to get to the main part of the center. I had never been there, or even really done much research on what the place looked like, but I figured it out relatively easy, and I quickly ran into a volunteer coordinator, who must of seen my face and known I was the day volunteer. He introduced me to Jenna, the release coordinator volunteer who has been working there for 4 years and who worked closely with monkeys at the London zoo, and I also met Louise, their vet who was caring for a baby Tamarind at my arrival. I didn’t realize the extent of the land until I was walked around to see all the animals. The cages were very far apart for the obvious reason to keep the animals for sensing each other and the path were not paved. To my delight, I quickly got muddy. 

Jenna was my guide for the morning. She took me to her favorite monkeys, the wooly monkeys, and I got to meet Diego, Nina and Mona. Their fur was absolutely beautiful, shiny and thick. They looked like they were wearing little winter coats. They walked around their enclosure bouncing off the many branches, ladders and platform Frank had constructed for them. Frank was the original person I was in touch with, but due to a howler monkey emergency, he didn’t have much time to chat with me. I couldn’t blame him, as we have all been in howler monkey emergencies, and let him try to mediate between their three grumpy primates. 

I was also brought to their blue headed parrots, which they will try to release soon. They have 15 at the moment, and they all seem to get along, but she would like to be able to keep them nearby to track their progress as their as not been much recorded data on the release of blue headed parrots. So she explained to me that they will release them in groups of two, the dominant birds and then the rest.
They also have some big birds, including three Macaws, which were un-releasable, due to their habits around humans. It is a shame to see those beautiful blue and yellow animals stuck in a cage (no matter how big the cage is), but they are providing them with the best life they would get. They have a small group to socialize with, and they are in a space where they can fly.

Jenna then took me to their prized animals, the baby wholly monkeys. Jesus, they looked like stuffed animals. She is hopeful to release them with Diego and the two other females once they get a little more weight on them. The babies are still babies and need someone to be with them at night, and Jenna was worried for them. I kept on remembering how Encar or Nadja would sleep with Tonino, and he became a little beast of a monkey the moment he reached puberty. So I tried to reassure her that those little guys looked quite healthy and will enjoy their new surrogate mothers.

The main difference between this center and the Jaguar Rescue Center was their close tie with the ministry. Their animals came directly from the government, and the government decided the time, the location and the release format. The center did receive money from grants and from the Ecuadorian government in order to keep it running properly, but the restriction on the release could sometimes affect the animals. Some of their monkeys who couldn’t be release were brought to zoos. It was very interesting to hear the involvement of the ministry in their approach to release the animals, and their ability to keep up with the animals afterwards. They track all their releases and know immediately the success or failure. From my understanding, Jenna and Frank are doing an amazing job with the new arrivals at the center, and are very thorough with any release.

The center had many more animals, such as a puma (8 years old, so they will not release her), 5 capuchin monkeys, a tamarind monkey, a kinkajou (which was asleep), a lot of dogs, and the howlers. I was impressed by the dedication and independence of the volunteers. Everyone had their task for the week, knew their time, and just went ahead and did it. During the afternoon, I was allowed to help out with the wooly monkey’s cage, and we went out to get the leaves, and even chopped down a tree for their enclosure. No one checked on us, no one questioned the tree we had chosen, or even where it went. Frank and Jenna completely trusted us to make the right decision. 

I arrived at the perfect time for one of the volunteers, as Robin, a British girl, has been beaten by one of the capuchin earlier that week. She was glad to hear about my Othello (howler monkey) bite and how it happened. She showed me her wounds and I showed her my shoulder, which is now scar less. It is the danger to working with wild animals. You never know what their instinct is telling them at the moment. It is hard to put off the right vibes when your own instincts kick in, and you just have to react. Whatever reaction you have is not right or wrong, it is just is. Monkeys are wild animals, and like all wild animals they defend their troop from intruders, that includes us.
After my day of volunteering, I thanked everyone and gave them the chocolate they asked me to bring and more. The volunteers don’t really get to go into town for food. I brought some mac ‘n’ cheese, some blankets, a million types of snacks and some anti-diarrhea medication (Bovine collustrum so they can use it on the monkeys has well). I said good bye to the animal, and fed Selva (the little tamarind, a very very small monkey) a fat grasshopper before heading to the taxi.

The taxi dropped me off right at the police check point, where I waited for a bus to Banos to stop by for control, then hopped on it and went home. Bryan and Matt (one of the Canadians I met yesterday at the hostel) where on their way to the hot spring, so my last night in Banos was spent at the hot springs of Santa Agua, just like my first night in town.

Today, I am heading back to Quito for the night, as I am departing Ecuador to re-enter the real world of adulthood, where one most work and create lesson plans and be full of energy for the 20 little monkeys I have in front of me for 45 minutes a day. 

Let's loosen those muscles up!

I left for Banos yesterday mid-afternoon. The bus was incredibly easy to find and the transportation flew by. It was pretty like a Megabus, but with an actual bus terminal, not like that side street we have in Philly. I didn’t do much on my last morning in Quito. I felt worst the before, and I went out for ice cream and to the bank, but as soon as I returned I was so out of breath that I needed to sit down for a couple minutes before I could even have my second coffee of the day.

Bryan joined in the travel, which was nice to have someone to chat with on the bus, and even a familiar face in Banos. After three hours, we arrived at the bus station, I paid for a taxi to my hostel, which has a pug named Maya. Let me tell you, a pug does make all the difference. I have been obsessed with that little munchkin since day one.

The weather does not look very promising for much fun this week, but I am very happy to be done with the sun shining on my poor little skin. After gathering myself in my very own private room, I set out to have some dinner. I had some pizza with some patacones con queso. It was a lot of food, but I was starving as I didn’t have lunch! I walked over to the only thermal bath open at night: La piscine de la virgin. It was crowded. Full of Ecuadorians. Everyone was incredibly comfortable with the little space and brushing against each other. Expect for the occasional foreigner that was hugging himself/ herself trying to find a little spot of water.

I immediately started talking to three little Ecuadorian girls who kept staring at me, and for the full hour and a half we chatted about school life, their ambitions, and their favorite things to do. Jeez, were they talkative! I practiced a lot of my Spanish with them, but they also warmed up to me and asked me a lot of English questions. At the end of the night, we took a picture together, and promised to look each other up on Facebook.

I went out into town later that night, and it was hopping! Unlike Quito, which was dead when I was there, this little town has every shop open, and every restaurant is busy. I just had to try their sugar cane taffy, as it is their local candy. So after a nice warm bath, a nice cozy walk down city center, I went and had myself candy. It was 11pm when I went to bed, and I felt half normal for once. I was able to breath like a normal person, my cough has receded to disgusting phlegm infused fit, and I was out like a young person!

I went to bed completely satisfied with this little rainy town.

This morning I woke up extra early. I guess the teacher in me is still ready for school. Breakfast was a feast of bread, eggs, avocados, butter, jelly, croissants, and coffee. Except I had to take my dumb medication ruined any beverage. Bryan went water rafting, but I decided against it. My last two adventures were both pretty extreme, and I had no desire to continue testing the limit with this extreme activity.

Instead, I went on a little hike down to … I have no idea. I ended up having to ask someone to give me a lift back into town, because I had no clue where I was, or I had gotten there. If it helps out, the car ride took five minutes. My walk probably was 15 mns. Yet, this was a completely different part of Banos, more residential and very quiet. There were some very beautiful views and gardens, but nothing for me to do. I caught a taxi to the zoo, since it was near a waterfall and an actual hiking path. I was skeptical about the zoo, as this is a tiny town in Ecuador, but everyone on TripAdvisor was raving about it. So, I went. Aw man, was I disappointed. I will not go into details, but I will tell you the most upsetting thing I saw. There were two owls. Two different species of owls, in a walled off enclosure. One of them had killed the other, and was starting to eat his legs. I sat there for a while, waiting for the dead owl to wake up, because how could this happen right?

No, no, once I brought it up to the ticket employee, she assured me they already knew and thanked me to bring it up to their attention. I was pretty dumbfounded, and left the zoo early for my hike. I didn’t need to see the lions, the reptiles or the fish to know that this was just going to continue making me mad. 

I went on my hike to see Cascade Ines Maria. The hiking path barely looked like a hiking path, but I figured that I already got lost once today, what are the chances of a second time. Not very high. I followed the path and found the waterfall right away. I collected some rocks and laid down for a bit. Above me were flacons and condors flying around, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how happy they were compared to the ones in that miserable zoo.

I came back to the hotel and had Maya give me a second shower. She was so excited to see me, and I was so excited to see her, we both looked like big dummies. I relaxed for a bit, and then decided to go to El Mercado, a huge market for lunch and to the hot springs again for this afternoon. So far, it is been quite the relaxation trip here in Banos! 

High Altitude Bronchitis and Sunburns will not stop me

The great thing about hostels is the people you meet. In order to make some quick friendship, you have to be open to accepting the help of some strangers. As I said last, I was looking for a lunch spot, and I had seen this man talking to the front desk, a lot. I saw at breakfast, and here he was again. So, naturally, I approached him with a pretty far-fetched question such as “Are you the owner of this place?”. With a chuckle, he replied no, and asked me why and if I needed help and he quickly gave me the name of a local place to eat. It was a restaurant right down the street from our temporary residence. I went ahead and ordered the fish soup, and the fried fish. While I was on my phone, trying to figure out where I was staying in Banos, my next city, my new friend popped in and sat next to me.

Michel is from Quebec. He is a carpenter, and most importantly a huge world traveler. He lived in India for five years in total, and has been in Ecuador for two months. I tried to get as much information out of him as possible. He told me about three great museum to get check out, the first was the Gayasamin  museum, one was the museum of contemporary art and instrument and the last one was  the museum of astronomy which was pretty close. The only museum open on a Sunday afternoon was the Gayasamin.

And boy was I not disappointed. Gayasamin is an Ecuatorian artist who mostly painted the agony and languish of the South American people. He started with the colonization, the mezclados, and continued with the enslavement of the African people and in later years even the Vietnam war. His painting are so simply painted, blocks of colors, sometimes just primary colors, yet there is such details in the hair, the long fingers and the eyes, that it is hard to be pulled away from one of his giant work of art. At first, I thought that it would be a small museum, mostly something to do on random. I’ve been to most of the major museum in Europe millions of time, and not once, I had heard of Gayasamin, so how important could he be?

After his museum, we were given a tour of his house. There were hundreds of donations from some of the most famous painters. His picture was posted on the wall with some of the most important leaders around the world. Didn’t I feel like a silly little white girl, waking around thinking she knows best about art. I did end up buying some postcards which I will send on Monday when the post office is open. 

I took a taxi back to my hotel, as Quito is a very long city. Stuck in between two mountains, it takes up most of the valley. We passed the American Embassy, which is tucked away in the forest behind barbed wires.

Once back at the hostel, I went for a little coffee and tried to relax. The view of the city is so spectacular that all I wanted to do was get back out there. I took one look in the mirror though to realize how badly sunburnt I was. I did put on sunscreen, I promise. On my face, and my arm. I forgot my chest and the back of my knees (I am white. Every part counts). Even my face had streaks of red across it, marking me as a bigger foreigner than I already am. The sun in Quito is not forgiving, especially high up in the mountain and at noon. I decided to rest up and rehydrate before I got sun poisoning and ruin my little adventure.

So I stayed on the terrace, and enjoy the company of two other Canadians. As the temperature dropped, I realized I had brought only a light jacket, and pants were out of the questions as the back of my knees were burning up (Ironic, uh?).  So we sat and played quizzo with my two new roommates, two goofballs from the United States. Needless to say, we didn’t win trivia, but to be fair we were all pretty tired from our respective day, so we were not looking forward to staying past our group activity.

The Canadians and I were hoping to go out into the city at night, but it has been recommended to stay in unless you know exactly where you are going. Many times, and many people have warn us how dangerous Quito can be at night. It was so hard to see the shining light by the church and the twinkles of people walking around while being stuck high up in a hostel. Really, all I wanted to end this day was a delicious ice cream cone and a quick walk through the beautiful European architecture that is Historical Quito.

That night, our fourth roommate arrived at 1 am. His arrival was abrupt, very similar to mine. Lights were turned on, the security guard spoke with his outdoor voice and keys were jiggled. The poor man felt the shame that I felt barely 24 hours ago and tried to undress and get in his bed as quickly as possible. The American guys left this morning for the amazon, so I will be left to make new friends again. Michel, my go-to guy is composing me a list of places I should go from his Lonely Planet guide book as I was typing this (7am- the teacher in me is not quite put to rest yet).

Early in the morning, before my free walking tour, I went to the Basilica del Voto de Ecuador. If you go prior to 9am, you get to go in for free (otherwise it is two dollars). I wanted to wait to climb the tower, but I have developed a cough, and shortness of breath, so I vetoed it. I have been up plenty of church towers, and I went to see Quito from up high on Sunday.

The walking tour was incredible. I have been incredibly lucky in stumbling upon celebrations by accident. We started at the Basilica, and went to Plaza Grande, where they had the most intricate changing of the guards I have seen. Not only was there a lot of guards, but the president is required to be present, and wave at the people and blow kisses (well, I am not sure if he is required to do blow kisses, but he did). We tried a foamy dessert made out of eggs called Ponche, which is very Ecuadorian. It. Was. So. Sweet. Turns out South americans love sweet things, but like rotting-your-teeth-on-the-spot sweet. I couldn’t finish it, and I can’t imagine someone finishing it ever.
We headed over to a couple covenants and another plaza where Quito is starting to build their metro. So in four years, Quito will have much better common transportation.

After the adventure I went to La Rhonda, a little merchant street. They had toys from back in medieval time. I went to the only local looking place and had a local soup you are supposed to have on Easter. It is called Fanesca, and it is made out of 7 Ecuadorian seeds (Yes. Corn is one of them). I had my first empanada as well while being here. Jeeze I couldn’t finish my meal. It was so filling and so delicious.

I went back to the hotel after a bit of souvenir shopping and finding the post office. Everyone will receive postcards, no worries. I had to rest due to my lungs. I went to the pharmacy to try to get help, and receive three medications, ranging from asthma to bronchitis. Later, I will google it and find out I have high altitude bronchitis, so as soon as I arrive in Banos I should start to feel better.

In the evening, my new roommate, Brian, and the two Canadians I met earlier went to a microbrewery called “Los bandidos” to enjoy some real beers. If I had to have one more glass of Pilsner or Brahma I would have lost it. We did take an adventure later to Mariscal Sucre, where everything was absolutely dead. I went back to the hotel to try to rest while the rest of the group went back out.

Today, I am not sure if I will go to any museums, but the teleferico is out of the questions (altitude: 14000ft) and the parks are a big no-no (I got the white people curse, where I get sun burnt at any contact with the sun). But I must re-pack, pay for my meals and room, and depart for Banos by public bus, which I am sure will be another adventure!

First day- in travel and on the ground.

 I am not sure if I can call travel day the worst day, but we will for now. As excited as I was to return to my favorite airport (PHL) in the world, I was going through the long list of things that could go wrong, and things I could have forgotten. A typical ritual for anyone boarding a flight really.

Michelle and Pat dropped me off at the airport on their way to a flyers game. I wish I could say that I had never seen an emptier airport, but having been in airport at the wee hours of the night, I have seen nearly abandoned airports. I didn’t have suitcases, and had checked in early. My new Iphone warned me that my flight was delayed, and all my brain could tell me was “oh, and here is the first thing.” I had a connection in Miami to Quito, and with this 30 minutes delay, I had a guarantee of a light jog to my next gate. I sat myself at a bar by my gate and enjoyed my book, lunch and a couple Bloody Marys. It seemed like the most appropriate drink to celebrate my departure of the state, and maybe the country.

At this point, my brain couldn’t let me enjoy my traveler’s light reading without having to check if the flight was even more delayed. My favorite part of flying so frequently is the miles that come along with it. But the true best part is my little “Gold” member card. While everyone stacks themselves at the boarding gate, similarly to cattle, I waited to the side until they called out propriety seating. 

That’s right, while you guys lined up like idiots, blocking the way and trying to rudely be first on the place, I destroyed your concepts and beliefs and jumped the line to be right in front of you.

NOT THAT IT HELPED, AS I SAT IN THE PLANE FOR A GOOD 45 MINUTES.

Let me tell you, we left an hour later. My anxiety took the best of me, and I sat in my spacious seat, overwhelmed with the thought of having to stay in Miami for a night, when I already have such a short vacation. How dare you American Airlines. How dare you.

Well, in the good fashion and tradition that is American Airlines flight, my next flight was also delayed. So I did not stay in Miami.

I encountered two girls from Philadelphia who were also traveling to Quito on my second flight, and were teachers. What a coincidence! I helped them get through customs as they knew no Spanish, and one hadn’t traveled in years. But, after a good 12 hours of travel in the air, and in airports, I found my way to a very quiet and sleepy Quito. My taxi driver was my height (which is apparently common in Ecuador), and the most patient little man in the world, as I forgot to take money out to pay him and I had him drive around the city to find an ATM.

My poor roommates got awaken by my hassling around the room to get my stuff and myself situated. After a good night of sleep, I explored my hostel, which is absolutely beautiful. Breakfast is offered on the terrace, and I enjoyed an inspiring view of Quito. After breakfast and a much needed shower, I decided to take it upon myself to get lost and get familiar with the city.

Suddenly I decided I would climb up Mt. Panecillo and go see El virgin de Quito up close and personal. Of course, I was not going to take a bus, or taxi, or even the familiar route. It is a mountain. All I would have to do in theory is to go up, and I will get there.

On my way, I encountered a parade for Palm Sunday, and followed along as tons of worshipers where singing hymns and carrying a statue of dead Jesus sitting on his throne. Some of the citizens were weaving palms leaves and making them into little crosses or bouquets for people to offer at their church. I followed the parade until it took a turn down the hill. They had brought me to Parque Lineal, which is way south of town. It was still at the base of this gigantic mountain, therefore, I could still test out my theory.

I climbed up what felt like a million stairs, and found myself in the ghettos of El Panecillo. As I said, I just kept climbing the hill. It was me and one old Ecuadorian who was doing much better than me in terms of cardio. That hour of Yoga a week is a joke. 

As I was two minutes away from El virgin, a pack of dogs stopped me in my tracks. Those little bastards were obviously protecting their territory, and at the same time, about to ruin my valiant efforts of seeing my first tourist attraction. Hold and behold, my little old Ecuadorian shows up to nowhere and tells me to keep on trekking. She throws a branch my way, and continued to her house. I stood there, texting my friends to make sure they would know why I got mauled and by what, and how I wasn’t truly to blame. Little did I know, dogs are scared of branches. They scattered and ran up the hill while their owner came out and was surprised to see me standing with no bites. She walked up with me the little path while we chatted about her dogs, which she rescued and how I was their leader now. Sure enough, they followed me around, and fought other dogs nearby. If I didn’t stand out before, now I sure did as the queen of dogs.

I didn’t realize today was the Equinox, and so after admiring the giant status and trying to lose the pack of dogs, I sat myself down to observe a traditional dance performed by the locals. It was quite a beautiful contrast between El domingo Ramos and El equinoccio. After enjoying it for a bit, I noticed the dogs had run off, probably to fight someone else or some other dogs so I quickly hopped on the local bus to get back home.

If anyone knows me, or has tried to get anywhere with me, we know the one skills I do not have is the skill of direction. After asking a couple cops, I made my way back home. Next is to find a delicious lunch, which I think I deserve, and I am definitely going to a museum and staying away 

from packs of dogs (even though I kept my branch).

But for now, 

Hasta luego amigos! 

Pre-Ecuador

Here I am. Off to another trip again.

This time, I will try my hardest and bestest to keep this blog alive, unlike the other two trips I took, which were hectic.
The truth of the matter is, I am much more inclined to keep a blog alive when I travel alone. There is a good chance you will have reading material for a week starting Saturday.


With that said, there is a little bit of information that I have no revealed to a lot of my friends. I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, and even though, most of my generation can relate in some way shape or form to this crippling disorder, it has recently turned me into a crabby individual.
See, I could have told you I had anxiety, everyone can. At the age of 6, I remember having belly pains about going to school. At the age of 10, I remember inviting everyone at my birthday party so no one would feel left out. At the age of 16, I remember pinching my arms, waiting by my boyfriend's class to see if he got a good grade on his test. At the age of 21, I remember canceling my birthday party because I couldn't endure the imminent lack of interest. At the age of 22, I remember booking a flight to Costa Rica in order to get away from the crushing pressure of adulthood. At the age of 23, I remember being on medication so I could go through my daily routine without a panic attack. At the age of 24, I remember not eating because my stomach was back at twisting itself. At the age of 25, I booked a flight to Ecuador and drowned myself in work so I wouldn't have to glare at my harsh reality.

This trip isn't just a fun spring break trip by myself. I am taking this trip to Ecuador, as a sort of mental/ emotional rejuvenation. Since the school year started, 2015-2016 has not been very kind to this little cat lover. I have lost my dearest and closest living thing, Kitten/ Nala, to a sudden and inexplicable illness. I've had countless failures at my new teaching job, failed relationships, fading friendships and unfortunately, in the most recent events, two more deaths to add to the list. Those were people I admired greatly for their work ethic and the passion they carried out with zerp expectation from society.
This has left me in shambles to say the least, and I know understand when people say "When it rains, it pours."

If I was still talking to my therapist, she would reiterate " You don't mind getting stabbed, but you are afraid of the paper cuts." With years behind me now, I know exactly why I don't mind getting stabbed.

First, biologically speaking, your body releases endorphin after a stab. The body protects itself from the tremendous pain that it suffers. For a paper cut, the body does nothing. For that matter, in my experience, a paper cut doesn't even heal within a week, it is bothersome and it gets infected one way or another.
Second, statistically speaking, I am much less likely to experience a stab than a paper cut. This year has been full of paper cut. Every month, I've sliced my finger on a piece of blank paper.
Third, from metaphorical experience, getting stabbed makes for an awesome story. Paper cuts are just downers.

Don't get me wrong, I have had plenty of joyful moment. I have had the luck to have a new little furball, Rebel. I've worked hard enough to be accepted into Graduate School. My principals and department head are giving me glowing reviews across the board. I've been lucky in many ways.

Unfortunately, the chemicals in my brains and my current interactions are not conducive to my happiness, and so it is with a very light heart and very much anticipation that I will be boarding that plane (even though American Airlines canceled all my miles. Effing Noodle Heads).
I can't wait to share my experiences. As always, this will be blocks of texts rather than pictures.
(One day, I will get on the pictures thing, for now, enjoy the good old medium of imagination)

Vegan Chai Chocolate chip cookies

A little recipe to keep under my wind.
Fully vegan, but not gluten free.

1 1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of sugar
2 1/4 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
3/4 teaspoon of salt
Ground cloves
Ground ginger
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Chocolate chip

6 Tablespoon of almond milk
1/4 cup of apple sauce
2 teaspoon of vanilla
1/4 vegetable oil

Mix all together.
Refrigerate for an hour.
Bake at 375F