A night at the bar…
As mentioned the other day, Nick and his fellow volunteers headed into town where they hit the local bar. The drinking age is 18 so Nick was able to try a real drink at a real bar. All legal. He said “I had a Rum and Coke which isn’t that interesting unless you like Holden Caufield”. A literary reference, of course. Pictured with him are Maia (British) and Tabi (Israeli). Please see the photo gallery for a host of new photos and an amazing new video of him scritching a Tamarin until it is drowsy is in the video gallery.
As mentioned the other day, Nick and his fellow volunteers headed into town where they hit the local bar. The drinking age is 18 so Nick was able to try a real drink at a real bar. All legal. He said “I had a Rum and Coke which isn’t that interesting unless you like Holden Caufield”. A literary reference, of course. Pictured with him are Maia (British) and Tabi (Israeli). Please see the photo gallery for a host of new photos and an amazing new video of him scritching a Tamarin until it is drowsy is in the video gallery.
So Much to Tell
Nick seems to have fallen into a good rhythm in South America. He has been at the center for a month now. He appears to have been given good responsibility with the animals. A few hightlights:
Photos - He has been sending mind-blowing photos. Go to the photo gallery and check them out. I especially like the Bucket Monkey (see above) and the Spix’s Night Monkey whose name is MORT. Mort is the best. (I threw Mort onto Reddit.)
Videos - Lots of cool videos. Check out the gallery. Of special note is the video titled “Nick feeding the Tamarin”. The Tamarin ends up inside his jacket.
Town - Nick went to town and tried out his legal drinking age privileges at a bar. First cocktail - Rum and Coke.
Monkeys and Volunteers
Nick started to fill us in on his fellow volunteers. It turns out, at this time, he is the only American. Many of the volunteers are Israelis who have recently completed their compulsory military service. (The photo above is from when the volunteer group went to play paintball so some of the guys could demonstrate their military training. (Nick is the photographer and is not in the photo). He says some of the other volunteers are European and from elsewhere in Latin America. Also, he is no longer “the new guy” as a new volunteer just arrived from the UK. I have added a new Video Gallery page because there are new monkey photos. There are some good ones!
A Photo of Nicholas Appears
I received a text this morning that read: “Dad, are you sitting down?” I replied: “Yes”. “Do you have a beverage in your hand?” I replied: “No.” And then he texted me this photo. I freaked out. I asked Nick if he was doing well. He replied “Yeah”. click “read more” below to see two videos he filmed (Bush Dog and Spix’s Noisy Night Monkey). And see the gallery for an array of new photos.
These videos were filmed by Nicholas today
Living Quarters
Well, after some requests we are getting a broader idea of Nick’s living space. Here is a photos of “where he sleeps”. I suspect he is mostly not in his room but working and spending time with animals. It looks pretty cool. Apparently, he shares the room with several other volunteers. I wonder about how the rain sounds on that tin roof. He also sent a stupid cute photo of a cute owl. That photo is HERE.
Nick: “This is where I sleep”
Well, after some requests we are getting a broader idea of Nick’s living space. Here is a photos of “where he sleeps”. I suspect he is mostly not in his room but working and spending time with animals. Apparently, he shares the room with several other volunteers. It looks pretty cool. I wonder about how the rain sounds on that tin roof. He also sent a stupid cute photo of a cute owl. That photo is HERE.
Woolly Monkey
Nick reports that this little Woolly Monkey was very inquisitive. He also said that two Black Mantled Tamarins (google ‘em) climbed on him and gave him “play bites”.
We have received a lot of photos via WhatsApp from Nick. Unsuprisingly, they are photos of animals. The one that really made my year is the one posted here. Nick with his inquisitive woolly monkey friend. He apparently also received play bites from a couple of Black Mantled Tamarins (no photos yet, but a google search will give you an idea of what he is talking about!)
For others photos, please the the gallery.
Working With Wildlife
This is what drew Nick to this volunteer opportunity. The chance to be hands on, on another continent, with wildlife he has never encountered. He has already been bitten by a Toucan (they have a couple at the rescue center). It might have been tis one:
Toucan
This is what drew Nick to this volunteer opportunity. The chance to be hands on, on another continent, with wildlife he has never encountered. He has already been bitten by a Toucan (they have a couple at the rescue center). It might have been tis one:
Rain - It is a Rainforest, after all.
Not too much to report at the moment, but this video was just shared. I’m betting he is happy to have his gore-tex and rain pants, even though it is probably in the 80s. (Click the “read more” link below to see the video! Sound up!)
Not too much to report at the moment, but this video was just shared. I’m betting he is happy to have his gore-tex and rain pants, even though it is probably in the 80s.
Arrival
Nicholas travelled solo with a layover in Panama. He figured out how to get a SIM card, met up with his program contact and spent the night in Quito. The next day he was driven through the Andes and arrived at the Wildlife refuge. Pretty good for his first solo international journey.
NIck travelled solo with a layover in Panama. He figured out how to get a SIM card, met up with his program contact and spent the night in Quito. The next day he was driven through the Andes and arrived at the Wildlife refuge. Pretty good for his first solo international journey.