“It’s hard not to smile when watching monkeys.” Said one guest at 6:30 this morning, and that was how we started our day. Sitting in the skiffs, smiling at the leaps and antics of a large group squirrel monkeys. Our focus was on them, their focus was on the bright orange flowers of a tree. They seemed to be after the nectar of the flowers. Some monkeys even picked the flowers and tipped their heads back as if drinking, and then dropped the flower to move on to the next one. Eventually we went off to our own breakfast, which involved delicious local flavors too.
Besides the wildlife, one of the other reasons we travel is to meet other people. This morning we had the great privilege of doing that in the village of Amazonas. We spent all morning in this nice community of 500 people. Some of us visited with Francisca, one of the women who makes baskets and other crafts. She taught us how the fiber of the chambira palm is collected, prepared, boiled, died, dried, and eventually made into everything from handbags and animal figurines to baskets. The local leaves, seeds, and plants are used to create beautiful brown, green, blue, and yellow dyes.
After a walk around the village and other visits at houses we arrived at the school. We visited the third and fourth grades. The children were very happy to have visitors and sang us some songs in Spanish. We felt obliged to share with them too, so we did the Hokey Pokey much to the entertainment of all. One of the favorite activities for all involved was picturetaking. The kids loved to pose for photos and then see themselves on the back of the camera. If two asked to have their picture taken, before we even had a chance to snap the photo, 4, 6, or 8 more kids were in the picture! Very fun!!
Next we learned about a wonderful program called Minga Peru that has helped the community learn about everything from good health to fish farming and agroforestry. Finally we wrapped up our visit with a chance to see (and purchace) baskets, carvings, and other crafts made by the talented people of this town.
Our late afternoon outing at Clavero Lake continued with the theme from the morning of squirrel monkeys. This time there were even more of them with lots of leaping. Usually they are in the thicker vegetation. But this afternoon our smiles and cheers were bigger than ever as we watched monkey after monkey travel down one branch to leap through a wide opening to the next tree. It is still true. It is hard not to smile when watching monkeys. That and so many other things that make us smile in this magnificent place.
