Lessons from the Canopy

Originally published on Facebook, on Oct. 22, 2023

Our cabaña in El Remate has become more than just a temporary home.

We came to look at it as a gateway to a world where nature's melodies compose the soundtrack of our days and nights. But among all the performers, none have captured my heart and tested my patience quite like the monkeys.

There's something almost magical about locking eyes with a spider monkey. Their curiosity is palpable, almost childlike, as they peek through the foliage with quick, darting glances. I remember one such encounter where a young monkey seemed utterly fascinated by Glen. Perhaps it was his sun-highlighted hair that caught its attention, or maybe it was just a random act of curiosity. Either way, this little creature followed Glen through the canopy, its eyes wide with wonder, as Glen busied around with his camera.

I love nothing more than this time when the weather cools off enough that I can turn off the fan and enjoy fully the sounds around us… With one exception.

The howler monkeys, despite their fairly small size, make their presence known in the most disruptive way possible. Their calls pierce the night, a cacophony that makes peaceful slumber a distant dream. It's as if they're reminding us that this wilderness, however shrinking, is still their domain. And when two families decide to have a vocal showdown? Well, let's just say earplugs don't stand a chance.

One morning, as we strolled down the street adjacent to our cabaña, another spider monkey decided to join the parade. It leapt from branch to branch, its eyes seemingly fixed on us—or perhaps on Zill. It was as if the monkey was escorting us through its treetop kingdom, a gesture that felt like an unspoken bond between species.

These encounters have led me to ponder the deeper, perhaps even spiritual, connections we share with these creatures. We are all inhabitants of this Earth, sharing spaces that are increasingly encroached upon by human activity. The spider monkeys' curiosity and the howler monkeys' vocal assertions are not just behaviors; they are statements, pleas even, for coexistence. As their wilderness shrinks, our shared spaces grow, making it imperative for me to understand and respect the symphony of life that plays out around us every day.