Monkey Business

There are times at night when there is a large thud on the metal roof, followed by an extended rattling which reminds me of a bowling ball rolling down the side of the roof. And then silence. Now, the first time it happened I thought someone was trying to break in--but that doesn't happen in this compound, and there was not sound after the noise. I noticed that several building has large pear-type fruit laying on the roof, and I figured the noise was coming from fruit dropping from the trees above.

Not so fast.

Friday evening, I heard the large sound again, but it sounded like it was coming from the edge of the roof to the apex, then back down the other side. Then a few sharp jabs occurred, like large hail hits on the roof. I thought, the wind must be really blowing. But it was silent after that.

So I went out the next day to look for fruit evidence or tree limbs--something to explain the racket. Nothing. There are no limbs directly above me, and no fruit tree around my roof. So, what could it be?

I asked Liz. She said Monkeys. I hadn't seen one since I had been there, until today. A large monkey, don't know what kind, flinging himself from limb to limb as were driving to the compound. I was proud to actually have seen one. My hosts were amused that I was so proud. Probably thought I had monkey fever or something.

Anyway, the monkeys apparently throw fruit at each other at night and jump from building to building looking for insects. The termites are swarming, and they are unusually large. So, they are probably feeding off of them.

Still, I am locking all windows and making sure they are secure. I think I can handle a robber, but I don't know what I'd do if a live monkey came barging in a window at three in the morning.

kwahari