Distance Learning

I am spending a couple of weeks in southern Mexico right now. My husband studies monkeys, and since there are no monkeys roaming free in central Illinois, we make regular trips to the tropics. (Once upon a time, I was going to be a tropical botanist, but now I have moved on to the world of food and nutrition.) This summer we are in Mexico to discuss plans for some future research projects with a friend who currently manages several long-term research projects throughout southern Mexico, many of them at archaeological sites. The archaeological sites are often surrounded by large areas of forest populated with all kinds of wildlife, including monkeys. Because these sites are an important reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Mexico, they are very well cared for and protected. This means that the forests and their inhabitants are protected, as well.

We were taking a lunch break on top of one of the tallest pyramids at the ancient Mayan city of Calakmul these two spider monkeys came up to check us out. What does this have to do with Parkland? Nothing, except that if I weren´t taking an online class this summer, I couldn´t be here in Mexico right now. Technically, I am still in school, but because I can turn in my work online, I am able to be almost anywhere, even an ancient Mayan temple. (Although, I did have to go into town to find an internet café.)





This is a long-distance view of the temple where we ate lunch in the treetops.