As you may know from my web-site, I live in Washington, DC-  just steps away from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. I have to say, I am not “pro” zoo, for all of the obvious reasons, and I am not “against” zoo, for all of the obvious reasons.  And living near the zoo is wonderful and annoying all at the same time as well.

Let me present the annoying first. The sidewalks outside of the zoo and too and from the Metros, are packed with strollers, school groups, wandering children and tourists. In general, people just not paying attention to common “sidewalk courtesy.”  (no I am not 95 years old)

The wonderful part of the living near the zoo is that I have my own little piece of Africa, China, South America and green lush space in my very own back yard- and it is free. (no I am not 95 years old)

Part of my spa day is walking, or going to the gym, biking or doing Yoga. Today felt like a “zoo walk” day as the steamy DC temperatures are finally cooling down, and I felt the need to be a bit closer to nature, now that it wasn’t going to sting, burn or bite me. I have to say, there was no Zen moment at the zoo today- everyone seemed unhappy and just miserable.

Ying: children and parents alike were crying that they are hungry and/or thirsty.

Yang: there was a nice little boy happily sitting on a bench quietly by himself eating a hot dog- ketchup overflowing out of the bun… he was happy.

Ying: new born baby in carriage- red faced and crying

Yang: new born gorilla in the “outdoor yard” tumbled and played with a stick

Ying: impatient children yelling at the panda to look at them

Yang: young lady with red, purple and green stripped hair was also (in her own way) yelling for people to look at her… she seemed happy.

Oh the DC Zoo – as I finished my walk to the top of the hill, and exited the zoo there was an organization for the “relief and cruelty of caged animals” handing out flyers-  now I am not happy.