Howler monkeys were outside my window this morning, growling deeply in response to the heavy downpour, which had began four hours prior around 2 am. These monkeys are usually my 5 am alarm clock; however, they were never as close as today—no echo was heard.

In general, it’s surprising, really, that I start my day at 5:30 am (3:30 am, California time), considering the fact that I actively choose 11 am-12 pm as my desired wake up time back home.

Here, I actually want to wake up early. I want to see the birds and the beautiful forest and sky waking up. To see the nocturnal animals retreating back to their secret burrows. To see the agoutis sneakily forage underneath fruit trees for fallen treats. To follow groups of spider monkeys to their destined location. Seeing all of these things makes the hard work worth it.

Another reason for waking up at this obscene hour is my new addiction to 6 am canoe trips. Going down the Rio Bartola my first morning trip, I spotted a rare sight: a river otter was riding alongside my boat! These animals have very little papers on them, besides dietary background. At first I thought it was a mutant anaconda from the critically acclaimed film, Anaconda, which religiously reruns on the Syfy channel. Oops.

But the downside is that my clothes get wet and nothing truly dries here. Wearing semi-wet mud crusted shirts and pants consecutively, in addition to my wet mud crusted boots, has really transformed and expanded my boundaries on hygiene. Cleanliness from showering (a very cold shower, I might add) lasts for a total of 2 hours, maybe. I do not really know if I will ever look at mud in the same light after this. Or showers. Or rubber boots, the most grateful and useful piece of gear.

In terms of my research project, my partner and I have finally got it down! At least, we think. But the good news is that this uncertainty is a well-known trend among my peers. No one here truly knows what he or she is doing. However, they are very humble because they are all unbelievably brilliant and hilarious, creatively modifying experiments quickly. Or simply helping one another out on furthering experiment ideas. In this upcoming week we will finally implement both of our behavior and conservation projects, so I am very excited.

By the way, Mom and Dad, there is a never-ending supply of fresh fruit juice at all three meals every single day. I may not leave.