Our morning drive to Mesai brought one of the best experiences of my trip (although it started out a bit bumpy).  We pulled up to a wat, always beautiful in the morning light, and one of the girls noticed a monkey.  I’ve been on a hunt for monkeys since arriving in Thailand.  My step-niece Kiley love monkeys, and I promised to bring her photos and some monkey trinket.  I was very excited when we noticed there were monkeys everywhere.

Our host got out of the car (and left us), and we followed … the girls a bit more cautious than I.  The phrases “monkey business” and “monkeying around” come from somewhere, and we all knew the animals could get a little excited.  But I was determined to get some photos for my girl.  As I was trying to get a good angle on one (in fact the one above, I believe), another one started running at me.  The girls fled.  I started to freak a bit, as I am not quite sure how dangerous monkeys are, but I figured he wouldn’t actually attack me, would he?  Then he jumped onto my dress and was hanging from the skirt.  I do believe I screamed.  (I wasn’t sure if monkeys have claws or not, but I can remember when my cat used to climb up me as a kitten; it wasn’t fun.)  He dropped off and ran away.  I was only slightly shaken, completely unharmed and not at all deterred from my Kiley mission.

Shortly thereafter we found the monkey handlers, as I shall call them.  For 10 baht, I could feed the monkeys peanuts.  Not liking to carry coins, I readily agreed.  It was the best 10 baht I’ve ever spent.  As the girls hid in the car (Jamie eventually came out to take some pictures and feed one monkey), I handed peanuts to every monkey I could find.  They were so gentle in their grasps.  I felt like I was handing something to a baby as their little hands wrapped around the peanuts (and, in fact, some of them were baby monkeys).  I even got to get in a quick pet of one of the babies before he ran away.  A few tried to climb my skirt still, but a wave of the hand or a stern word, and they would leave.  The handler was always around with a stick just in case.  Most of the monkeys were pretty fearful of the stick, and just waving it was enough.

Interacting with somewhat wild animals like this is an experience that I never would have had in Illinois.  Feeding monkeys will be one of the highlights of my trip to Thailand and something I shall never forget.  Maybe someday I’ll bring Kiley here so she can do it too.

Dad, please share this with Kiley and let her know that I have many more pictures (and video!) to show her when I get home.  I can’t wait to see everyone.