Welcome to Peru!

This week, I started work in Moyobamba, Peru, working for the local nonprofit Proyecto Mono Tocón (PMT). I’m going to be spending my summer here, working on my master’s project, related to habitat connectivity analyses for the endangered San Martin titi monkey, while also helping PMT with their work. I arrived in nearby Tarapoto last Saturday evening, traveling to my hotel via mototaxi, which along with motorcycles account for probably 95% of the vehicles here.



To get to Moyobamba, I paid for a mini-mini-bus (that’s not what they’re really called), just a car that rents out all its seats, which drove me for two hours to my destination, for 20 soles (about $6). Some things are more expensive here, while others, like meals and transportation are vastly cheaper. I had a beautiful drive to Moyobamba:



Here in Moyobamba, I’m staying with a handful of other volunteers (all Peruvian) in a house near the PMT office. Pros: the house has running water and electricity. Cons: no Internet, AC, fans, washer/drier, or hot water. And I’ve had to get used to ants on my laptop screen. On my first day here, I went with some of the other volunteers to a nearby hot springs, where I was eaten by a snake.


 


The next day, I started work:



(We have Internet here). In addition to the volunteers, there are a handful of paid employees, from different corners of Peru. I’ve gotten lots of great advice on places to visit while I’m here!

I’m really looking forward to exploring more of Peru, and to helping out a local nonprofit with their work. I’m still getting used to the food, though:



Is that… a FOOT, in my SOUP???