The Monkeys Don’t Care

 

I’m not going to lie - I’m a little proud of this photo. I really did take it, as well as the photos below. The zoom on my new camera works well as these howler monkeys were a fair distance away. The wind helped by opening brief windows through the swaying tree leaves, giving me the opportunity to snap a shot. If I can do it again remains to be seen! :-)

Yesterday we were reflecting on how different the Panama we flew into on Nov. 24th is from the one we visited last year. Kirby and I heard about the protests happening in this country and before boarding the plane contacted Ivan to see what was what. He informed us that there were issues in the cities but nothing around Gamboa and what he said proved to be true. However, the trickle down effect did reach the little community we love. Driving from the airport to Gamboa, we noticed Panamanian flags of all sizes attached to passing cars and flying everywhere. Handmade banners were tied to sign poles in front of the green jungle backdrop. The night we arrived, Ivan and Gladys shared a BBQ meal with us and over supper and brews told of the happenings in their country. 

This sign says “I am the voice of the mountains - No to the mining company.”

Our limited understanding:  After years of political unrest, a contract between a Canadian mining company and the Panamanian government was the last straw for the citizens of this country. Many felt government officials personally benefitted from the contract with the mining company, which allows the continuation of strip mining practices that is feared will further damage the ecosystem and possibly contaminate drinking water. Furthermore, they don’t see their standard of living improving and question the handling of the revenue generated from this agreement. Protesters began blocking roads to show their disapproval. Over time, other groups joined or started their own road blocks to bring attention to their unrelated concerns. A few altercations turned violent but mostly the road blocks served to stop commerce across the country. Ivan said they stayed home because it was never known what roads would be blocked and for how long. On one occasion, Ivan and Gladys sat on a highway for 6 hours before protesters dispersed, allowing the flow of traffic to continue. Pam, a friend who lives up the street, said supermercados and local markets ran out of goods as trucks sat along the side of roads unable to deliver goods. Ivan Jr., who works in the city, sites never knowing how long it would take to get home from work each night. However, these individuals and other people we visited with see both sides of the controversy. There is less income coming from the canal due to a drought and so revenue from the mine would be helpful. Plus, the mine employs many Panamanians and these people are currently out of work. The question seems to be, “Why is it all or nothing? Can’t a deal that is positive for both sides be worked out?”

A few days after our arrival, the Panamanian Supreme Court ruled the agreement made with the mining company was unconstitutional. We could feel a shift in the atmosphere; people seemed happier. Feeling confident the roadways would be clear, we drove  into the city. Walking in to a supermercado, a guard by the entrance smiled and told us it was a good day to celebrate because the court ruled. For now, it seems the people feel they have been heard and the road blocks have stopped. However many speculate that this issue is far from solved and are waiting to see what happens next.

Because of the uncertain road conditions, we stayed close to Gamboa and revisited the surrounding trails.  Even the forests felt a bit subdued. In the past, while hiking the Pipeline Trail, we always enjoyed visiting with groups of birders that we encountered from all over the world.  This time Kirby and I were the only two legged creatures around. The Howler monkeys didn’t seem to care if the roads or a mine was open or closed.  They grunted their warnings from the tree tops while looking tired and cranky. Perhaps they were cranky because we ended their vacation from hikers. Taking their job of greeting all who enter their area seriously, fewer people probably meant more time to nap and relax and less time on howling duty.

This morning as I was drinking coffee on our veranda, three tiny monkeys skittered through the tree tops and over the house next door. A Google search helped identify them as Geoffrey’s Tamarin, locally known as mono tití due to their small size - about that of a squirrel. I wish I could claim the following photo but the little rascals were too quick and the trees too leafy so the credit for this photo goes to Canopy Family. Cute, aren’t they? They are welcome to race down the highway of trees and vines between the neighbors house and ours anytime they want. This road will always be open.