mi hijo!

There are four types of monkeys found in southern Costa Rica; Howlers, Spider Monkeys, White Faced Monkeys and Squirrel Monkeys. Leaving for the trip, it was my goal to capture a glimpse of just one.

When we arrived at the Jungle Lodge, the owner was giving us a tour and he introduced us to Mendez, a two-year-old white-faced monkey that he and his wife rescued. The official name for this type of monkey is White-headed Capuchin, but I like to call him "that rotten little animal." Within seconds of meeting him, he was jumping on our heads, putting his creepy little hands into our pockets, taking our stuff and biting us. His tail is strong and wrapped around your neck, it softly chokes you as the rest of the body of the monkey menacingly investigates your stuff (bodily orfices included). With very human hands, unpredictable movements, rat-like speed, lurching abilities, and cunning intelligence, Mendez was a fellow not to be tampered with. On Christmas morning, I tried to bond with him but the loud explosions of fireworks startled him and he bit me HARD.

But I returned each morning, and would catch him in a calm state when no one was around and there were no loud noises. When he was sleepy he'd get gentle and playful, and he was actually very cute and loveable. I'd reach out my hand and he'd grab it and hold it like he was a little boy. He'd pick up a rock and pass it to me, then try to dig it out of my fist with his skinny little fingers. Soon, he was crawling into my arms and laying on his back, like a little baby. We'd play little games, like scooping up a pile of leaves and passing it back and forth. He would stare at my toes and poke around between them, fascinated.

Sometimes, he would wrap his whole body around my one arm and lay his head down on my hand, scratching his little monkey beard on my hand. And once, at the end of the trip when I was waaaaay too attached to the little creep, he was wrapped around one of my arms and I let it dangle, swinging him back and forth sorta like he was hanging from a branch, he smiled at me. A big, open-mouth smile! The owners of the lodge told me that he rarely gets that way with guests, so I felt all special and connected and chosen. But I'm sure it was just that Mendez realized that with toes as long as mine, we must be distant relatives.