Going Apes!

No real adventure is ever complete without its fair share of horse play and monkey business.  Today we all took a break from our UNscheduled lives for a day trip up to the mountains and a much coveted break from the heat!  Meeting up in Ifrane we decided to get right down to business piling into Matt's car for a swift jaunt further into the Mid-Atlas Mountains to get some personal primate interaction.  

The trip itself is truly a tale as we squeezed 7 adults into a smallish-mid sized sedan (think the size of my car at best), we have all become quite cozy with one another during our time here to say the least!  Our ride began quite joyously with questions and curiousities buzzing throughout the car in anticipation of seeing real monkeys roaming free.  However the carefree moment was quickly halted when a seemingly random police roadblock presented itself.  Having encountered numerous such stops in the Middle East before I simply sat back and waited out the exchange - not as though any of us really had a choice in the matter.  A group of cramped foreigners was evidently a site and we were held to the side while Matt was questioned and asked to provide every piece of identification and validation humanly possible.  Catching only one in about every 100 words of Darija being spoken, I didn't actually know what was being shared, but body language and tone was enough to indicate that something was amiss.  Sitting silently I prayed for a peaceful and easy resolution.  A short while later we were allowed to pass with a warning.  Matt explained a few minutes later that we were in violation of 2 laws, one of which he had never heard of before.        Nonetheless, we were free and headed once again to see the Monkeys!

Unsure of if there would even be any monkeys (technically apes), my eyes began scouring the trees for all signs of movement and life.  As we approached the primate pad I spotted the first fur ball, "A MONKEY!" I shouted!  I was so excited!!!  Seeing monkeys in real life is WAY more fun then seeing them in the zoo.  Pulling into the gravel lot we found that we were not the only interested visitors.  Several other tourists both native and not were checking out the apes who were casually sitting on rocks and playing in the trees.  Evidently used to human presence they were relatively unaffected by our arrival instead focusing on picking insects off one another.  

    With the introduction of a round of bread the hills became alive with the sounds of Monkeys.  In a fashion that shames all of our modern communication devices, word spread about the feast and bushes came to life as trees rustled with the movement of the monkeys.  In a fairly evident hierarchy of food protocol the elder primates indulged first with minor squables among the youngsters as time wore on.  Despite clear posted warnings against feeding the primates some visitors couldn't resist - we however heeded the warning, mainly because we didn't come prepared with bread.  

     The apes were quite appealing and charming as they played, howled, and cared for one another.  There were several primate families in attendance making for some sweet and memorable moments.  Several monkeys (yes, I am using monkeys, apes and primates all interchangeably!) decided to try their hand a mechanics as they checked out the inner workings of a nearby automobile.  Packing only a monkey wrench they determined there was nothing they could do for the questionable piece of metal that contained these rather peculiar looking pink primates.  

    Joining into the fun was truly irresistible as their playfulness and curiosity was contagious!  Running about, swinging from trees, and calling to one another the apes were quite entertaining and amusing.  Some of the primates opted for a more relaxing route as they lounged about perched on rocks, nested snugly in branches or hitching the ride on the back of a loved one.  The petite primates definitely stole the show and the hearts of everyone watching.  Their cute little furry faces and actions were beyond precious and led one to feel like they had stepped into an issue of National Geographic!  

   I could have spent hours watching the apes interact and live out life.  Every action they took was interesting and they were each so photogenic!  (I have TONS of pictures!) However, it is important to be reminded these are still wild and unpredictable animals.  One of my friends was nearly peed on by a seemingly innocent monkey hovering quizzically above us.  We all quickly learned to not only watch what was going on on the ground around us, but to always check the branches above, just in case!