Zoo Trip (and Vera makes peace with Monkeys)

We took a trip to the zoo last Wednesday morning. Departed around 7:30am. The zoo in Shanghai actually opens at 6:30am. I thought that was pretty early, but realized around 9am when we were all soaked with sweat that heading to the zoo at 6:30am might just be a nice summer morning activity! We did last through lunch then headed home for showers and a lazy summer afternoon in the air conditioning!

Vera's highlight at the zoo was the seal show. I must say it was a funny experience. About 100 people crammed into two sections of an outdoor arena around a small pool. All of the sudden, music begins...a door opens...and a depressed looking man wearing an outfit very similar to the standard issue garbage man attire here in China walks out followed by a spunky seal. The seal proceeds to do about 10 tricks. I'm not even sure the trainer really gave any commands. It was more like a rehearsed series of tricks. Several fish were tossed out after certain tricks. After 5 minutes, almost as quickly as they came in, they went back out that door. No finale, no goodbye wave to the crowd, and no one in the crowd clapped. Not quite Sea World, but to my three and five year olds it was just perfect.

Vera also was happy to visit the monkey enclosures. You all probably remember she was bitten by a monkey 18 months ago at a Malaysian zoo and we haven't seen any monkeys since. The small bite (not super traumatic) led to a medical evacuation and rabies vaccines in Bangkok (SUPER traumatic). So I wasn't sure how she would like seeing them this time. She was quick to point out the safe distance that the viewing area was from the cages (seperated by bushes and a bar) and reminded me of our rule at the zoo 'don't put my fingers on the cage'.

And my final photo today is the group shot of all the kids just before entering the zoo. It was early, sunny, and a few kids (2 of mine) are less than happy to be taking this group photo!