Monkey business. Two weeks in.

Offering my smell to a very nervous Gray Fox

I believe tomorrow marks my second week in Nicaragua, yes, another unexpected stop in my travels that has turn into a task for bringing awareness to a cause which has touch my life.

For the last two weeks I have been volunteering at a non profit wildlife rescue center (managed by non-profit organization FAZOONIC), the only one in the entire country of Nicaragua. It has been a twister of emotions, between wanting to help them by participating in a campaign to raise awareness, as well as money to build a bigger enclosure for the white-face Capuchin monkeys (which are being held in very small cages while they are being rehabilitated) and wanting to free them all.

Where is the little yummy worm?

For the most part, I have been helping with the monkeys, mostly the white-face Capuchin. I have been learning about how to stimulate their natural instincts with enrichment exercises, such as wrapping worms in banana leaves tied up in sticks to stimulate foraging. Today we started the building of climbing structures and bedding platforms high up the ground, as they would in the wild to stay away from predators.

Sometimes it's just so rewarding to see what its being done, what I can do to help. Other days I continue to see how a lot of these animals, like a Gato Ostroche (or as they know it on the US, a Gray Fox) who was just turned into the center the other day, is being kept on a 3x2x2ft cage, sleeping on the raw metal bars. Now, this is not to blame the center, they are doing what they can with what they have. This center does not turn any animals away and while way underfunded they continue to save many wild animals from being kept as pets. While at the center, this animals get the treatment needed until fully rehabilitated and released back into their natural habitat. Without funds, this is not an easy task, and sometimes they stay there, longer than they appear to need to. But this is my opinion, and Im not a animal behavior specialist.

The truth is Marina, the director of this center has so much heart and passion for her mission of helping these animals return back to their natural habitat, and this is shown in the numbers of animals release since they open in 1997, over 2000 animals, have return back home.

Happy moment, spreading its wings to freedom.

So speaking of helping these animals, I'm sure you are wondering how you can help as well, and good things is, there is an answer to that.

First of, you might want to know how this cause got started and who is behind it all, so you should Meet My Friend Lolo... It just so happens, he's got a blog. Whoislolo.wordpress.com

Also, do you want to know how these white-face Capuchin monkeys end up as a pet?
Read about the dirty business of the pet trade from my friends awesome article.

Lastly, I KNOW you want to help, so check this out, YOU can actually help.
We are trying to raise 11,000 before April 3rd, Did I mention that? And there is also a site where you can learn more about it. You can donate as much or as little as you want by going to this site.

The money will go towards building bigger enclosures for this monkeys as well as acquiring equipment necessary (incubators, nursing facilities etc) to help other species of animals (parrots, toucans, raccoons and many more) as well.

And if that does not motivate you enough, I also made a video for all of my friends in the parkour community who I know are monkey lovers, for many many reason. Here is my try at being a spoke person for these monkeys.



Well, that went from sharing my thoughts about my experience in Nicaragua, to totally promoting this cause, but well, that has been so far my experience in Nicaragua for the most part, so there.... I shared it.

As always, much love and aloha to you all.

Welcome to Guatemala

After an incredible time of appreciation in Mexico, it was time to head to the next stop in my travels. Guatemala, how did I even end up going here?.... We have ideas, we manifest, life makes the plans. 

Located in the highlands of Guatemala and guardian of about a dozen towns and small villages this - used to be crater - is now known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world with a depth of a proximately 350ft. I had the great pleasure and opportunity to enjoy of the incredible views of the volcanoes and majestic power of the lake from the balcony of the place I stayed in. 

My journey here was short, I stay in San Marcos, a town known for its mainly for attracting people looking for an spiritual experience. Loaded with "hippies" and foreigners looking for a place to apply their practices of yoga, massage and many other holistic disciplines. 

This place was very kind and welcoming to me. And since Im now applying a slower pace of movement I stayed mainly within the town streets talking to the locals, learning a bit of their language, being a target to their curiosity and a victim of their generosity and kindness. 

There is so much Id like to say about this place, but also so much I could not experience since my visit was so unexpectedly short. I feel so much is there to explore and I hope to come back again. 

One things is for sure, I really have had to deal with staying present and practicing patience, parkour speaking, this place offers incredible amounts of opportunity and not being able to play has placed me in a place where visualization is my most current form of physical play. Sitting near by a particular spot, looking and observing the possibilities, I play with my imagination as I flow wildly in my mind. Visualizing the flow and many variations of movement I could be performing. 

Its been interesting also looking inward at the unlimited possibilities of the potential that is within me beyond the physical, learning that we/I am more than just my body, many other skills have arise by simply being more curios of that which Im capable of. My capability to communicate with people, sharing my points of views and perspectives, interacting and exchanging adding more to my own knowledge with every soul I touch. A time to plants seeds of inspiration, allowing for a space for others to believe in the potential that lies within themselves. 

Ive been blessed with the gift of words, words which can touch deep within those I cross my path with. Perhaps that is the reason of my injury, to move more slowly so that I can be able to touch more hearts as I flow. The mission is the same, to find my way thru the cracks, over and under obstacles, to introduce and present different ways of being to those who are open to a different perspective of the way in which they can interact with the world. More playfully, to explore and grow with the exploration. To observe, self and others. To be open to any moment which can bring a new change into their life. 

Some clips from Guatemala...

Nicaragua, here I go. What would you have in store for me?

Mexican Roots

Chandra

What a journey it has been.

Before I move on to talk about how awesome Guatemala was, I'd like to take a moment to one more time acknowledge how great, in a very mysterious way, it was to have had the opportunity to stay for a longer time than planned in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, MX.

While this time was mostly of healing and not going out much as I was letting my injury recover, I had the great pleasure of connecting with whom I believe must have been a brother in another life. Erick, a kind spirit with a huge heart who alongside his lovely girlfriend Cinzia and beautiful yellow lab named Chandra, opened the doors of their home and hostel business, as I was in a process of healing and recovery. 

The time spend indoors was well taken advantage of, helping running the hostel, learning crafting and as you know making some recovery movement videos. But the most rewarding of all these experiences was earning a great friend in a place that now feels like another home. 

My gratitude could not be expressed with words, and I hope to reunite again with this, my new family. 

Good Bye Dinner

During my process of healing a new state of mind was in constant practice. Patience and gratitude. This fall could have given me a lot worse of an injury, thankfully I was only left with a knee that is still in a healing process and the opportunity to shift my perspective to enjoy of the world around different eyes. I was given a chance to slow down, to observe, to realize that I need to be nowhere but in this very moment. To connect with the people of the places I visit. I also realized my connection with the land will remind wherever its I go, that I dont need to conquer every mountain or climb every waterfall, but rather to conquer myself through the interactions Im given the pleasure to experience. 

Without this "mishap" I would have not had the chance to meet this incredible people. 

Thank you...

If you are ever traveling through Chaipas, you should check out Hostal Akumal I promise you wont regret it. 

Cascadas del Chiflon

Another wonder of mother land...

It would be very hard to describe with words what I witnessed here. I was also very hard to stay still and not being able to play on the rocks. Though, swimming and exploring the water fall as I was being showered with its power was so healing.

This is only one, a small one of the many waterfalls you can see here. Unfortunately, I'm still healing so didn't get the opportunity to see the biggest one, due to the massive set of stairs I would have to go up to. Instead, I took my time to soak up on the energy of this one, which definitely helped my healing process.

This is a must see place if you ever find yourself in the state of Chiapas MX.
Please do yourself and favor and go out to explore whatever natural place is near you that you have yet not explored.

Find yourself through the magic of that which lies right there waiting for you.

Cañón del Sumidero - MX

Just a very short video of my trip to El Cañon Del Sumidero, first time going out since I got injured.
This place was really majestic and truly a work of nature, I got to see cliff as high as 1000mts and depths of 400mts as well as my first crocodile in the wild and so much breath taking scenery.

Its located in the state in the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez in the state of Chiapas in Mexico. 

Lots of beauty and life, got to see
It was definitely interesting being in this place after being indoors for 9 days.

You can find lots of pictures on my Facebook page HERE

Recovery Movement

As I continue to heal quickly, I continue to find ways to inspire myself and continue to move, slowly but surely.
Love is healing and I have received lots of it, from YOU all... Thanks so much.

This was a beautiful day, and with you all in mind I decided to film a movement session, because there is not excuses, just opportunitites to use your creativity and imagination to adapt to any situation.

Learning Through Stillness

It's been almost two weeks since I injured my knee. It has definitely been a challenge to be so still and indoors for so long. It's in my nature to be on the move, exploring and founding new boundaries. However I come to realize the exploration never stops, with each obstacle being another opportunity to explore other parts of the world we live in, and this world goes inward as well. Into the unknown space that lies within our spirit.

In an attempt to invest my time in something more nurturing to my mind and spirit while my body continues to heal, I dug deep within my undiscovered talents. Crafting has been an on and off part of my life ever since I was a child, so why not learn something new.

I have a piece of beautiful black tourmaline, gifted to me by a very close friend of mine, a man who I refer to as my brother. This piece broke not long ago turning into two, one small and another bigger one. Given the sentimental value and properties of this stone, I wanted to transplant it onto another necklace I could wear. Already knowing how to make a hemp necklace, I just had to find a way to wire wrap it. After a bit or searching around youtube I found this, among other useful videos...



Fortunately I had some material to work with, and after carefully watching the videos I was ready to give it a go. Only a couple hrs later, I had not one, but two necklaces on my hand. The bigger piece will be for me to keep, while the other one will be a gift of appreciation to the owner of the hostal Im staying in... (Stay tune for more info on this awesome place)

Moral of the story... There are many undiscovered secrets within each and all of us, and waiting to be revelaed. Stillness is a good teacher, without distraction we can become capable of tapping into the truth of our ever present creative nature.

What will you create today?