Monkeying Around in Bolivia

CHEAPEST THRILL: Hard to choose, there were so many: swimming with a puma in the river, going into the park after hours to see the nocturnal honey bears, hunting alongside an ocelot, feeding milk to baby monkeys and working with volunteers from around the world.

DAILY STRUGGLE: Trying to be taken seriously when you have monkey poo, papaya or both smeared in your hair.

FAVORITE SOUVENIR: The scar on my arm, which I can honestly say is a puma scratch.

Inti Wara Yassi, a nonprofit nongovernmental organization, operates two refuges in Bolivia to house and rehabilitate abused wild animals. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of two weeks and are required to pay for their first 15 days in advance ($90 to $100). Details: http://www.intiwarayassi.org.

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