Thursday, June 20, 2013

I've been missing you like Candy...


Day 4

            Today, Chuck's (the owner of JM) wife Candy arrived.  She had been in the states having eye surgery.  It was so nice to finally meet her and learn the "proper" way to do so many things!  Chuck did his best to train us, but she really knows ALL the details of "The Jungle"! 
            Candy LOVES the monkeys, they are definitely her babies, and they definitely missed their Momma! I was fortunate enough to get to spend the day with her, learning all of her tricks and tips about how to care for the animals and how to bond with many of them as well!  As goofy & wild as Chuck is, Candy is just as calm & sweet!  Was nice to have her around to keep things calm when we got busy!  
            Not sure if I've written about the other volunteers yet or not.  Manuel is 
Venezuelan, but lives in Toronto, Canada.  His spanish is impeccable.  Even 
the locals ask where he's from because they speak "jungle spanish" and his is
very proper.  Kori is from Calgary, Canada.  He got in 2 days ago and has jumped
 right in.  So I'm stuck with two Canadians for the summer, Eh?
            The boys did some zip lining today with some groups, and I was able to 
work the bar. Which was fun.  I've never "bar tended" (if you can call it that) or even 
weighted tables!  My extent of this kind of work was the concession stand in high 
school!  And don’t get me wrong this is very similar, but I don't count AMERICAN 
change well, but now I have to count US Dollars AND Dominican Pesos.  Oooofta! 
It gets a little rough!  It has been so neat for me to meet all the tourist and find out
where people are from and what their stories are.  One of the zip line groups had a
lady who was slightly disabled.  She walked with canes and had significant braces 
on her legs. She was able to zip line with the help of Leslie (one of the "zip 
line boys") and also even walked into the Jungle (which is lots of stairs)!  Zip 
Lining was on her bucket list, so she was thrilled to complete the course!  This is 
the stuff that will be so rewarding all summer long; seeing people enjoy what I get
to do every day.  I’m feeling very fortunate to be here.  
            Last night we walked down from the house were staying in to the apartments 
that the "zip line boys" live in. and spent a little time with them.  They listen to US
music, but its older stuff that I listened to in high school, even middle school!  So it 
was fun to know the songs and jam out with them to the "oldies" for me!
            I should probably explain that Chuck gives all the "zip line boys" (who 
are local Dominicans or Haitans) what he calls monkey names.  Michael 
Jackson, Eddie Murphy, Akon, Wesley Snipes, etc.  So if I ever refer to one 
of them, NO the celebrity is not here! Although, a few big namers have been; 
Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith! 


            The clinics are open on Saturdays, so I'm very anxiously awaiting Sabado.  Working hard on learning spanish words here and there!  Chuck says they serve about 150 people on a Saturday, that’s including medical and dental work.  The last 2 Saturdays they had to turn away 60 people.  I'm sure it’s going to be a very over whelming and humbling experience.  

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