The Zoo: Part 2

This post is part #2.  If you would like to start from the beginning, click here.

Now we've come along to my favorite event of the day.  You see, this one kid in Callie's class had been toting around a banana the entire time.  He was waiting for the monkeys, and he was so excited that he was sweating!!  When we arrived at the monkeys, the kids tried to figure out how on earth they could get the banana to the monkeys.

First they held up the banana and taunted the monkeys.  They went nuts.  Grunting, clapping, and waving for the teacher to give the banana.

Never fear.  Teacher had a plan!  He tossed the banana over the wall.  The kids cheered.  The monkeys converged on the banana.

Unfortunately, I could not get a good picture of this event because my jaw was on the ground!  I could not believe what I was witnessing!  The last time I went to the zoo in America they wouldn't even let people drink from straws, let alone get near an animal.  And I am pretty sure you'd have been shot if you pulled a stunt like this. 

After the success of the banana the monkeys wanted more.  Unfortunately that was the only banana.  So the kids came up with various snacks from their snack-bags.  The monkeys were not a fan of salty snacks.

So we moved on to sweet snacks.  They were a hit!!

But again, the minimal fencing was making it hard to pass harmful snacks to the animals.  So, what did teacher do?

He tossed a package of cookies over the wall to the monkeys!!  See that blue wrapper in that monkey's had.  Those are tasty treats thanks to our class!!

Next, we moved on to another nightmare involving monkeys.  You may know that I am not a fan of birds.  I hate them and cannot stand to be near them.  Before the trip I was worried that I would have to get close to a bird.  Other than the peacock- which again, my jaw was on the ground and I was too shocked to freak out- the birds didn't bother me.  But, these monkeys have been showing up in my nightmares!!

Check out this inventive cage system.  The monkeys can look down on you.  They have little bowls on chains that they drop down and people are supposed to put food in.  They were throwing those bowls down, screeching like well... psychotic monkeys, and then pulling them back up as fast as they could.  If they didn't like the food placed in the bowl they'd throw it down at the people.  

I was terrified.  If I had been pooped on, or in any way hit with feces, I was going to take a taxi cab home that moment- regardless of the cost!!  

One of the little girls in the class was going ballistic.  She could not pass under the cage.  I had to cover her with myself and drag her body under it, running  like freaks.  That's all great, but no one was there to do that for me.  Mom?  Where were you?  I needed my mommy!!!

This fine animal had managed to peel back the wire on his cage.  So he could stick his arm way out and grab at the children.  Here he is waiting to strike!  Yes, folks, we are taking about monkey nightmares for weeks!!!

This grotesque animal sure didn't help things.  Not even the baby was cute!!

After we survived the monkey nightmare we went into the aquarium and reptile house.  Nothing crazy.  Business as usual for the coldbloods.

Then we came across this cute little dear.  Hope he doesn't bite!  I've seen those things maul people on When Animals Attack.

The camel came out to see us.

He liked this kid!!

After the petting zoo sort of area we arrived here:

Now, I cannot for the life of me understand this goofy sports equipment.  They have it al throughout the city in parks.  But, seriously... at the zoo?  Why on earth did they put exercise equipment at the zoo?  The kid in the foreground with the blue and orange sweat shirt is Gökan.  He is the kid that brought the banana for the monkeys.

Some of the kids did the pony rides.

For most of them it was their first chance to ride a pony.  Some were scared and some were thrilled.

Isn't she adorable?

Giddy- Up!

Next to the exercise equipment and pony rides there was a playground.  The whole class played on this merry-go-round.

They played that fun game:  spin and spin and spin until someone falls down or barfs.

Ever heard of it?  Its fun!

The ponies were in a cute little corral.  Also, in the corral were tons of bunnies.  The pony man was very careful not to let his bunnies escape when opening and closing the gate for the children doing the pony rides.

Callie's teacher reached down in the pen and picked up a bunny to show the kids.  He set it down so everyone could get a closer look and pet the sweet little bunny.

It hopped away!!

We worked our way through the rest of the zoo.  And ended up at back at the big cats.

This panther looks like it want to tear this kid's face off!

That was the end of our zoo adventure!

Throughout the day only two kids got lost- Isa and Ibrahim... that's Jesus and Abraham.  Figures!  Historically they've been quite the leaders!  But we found them fairly quickly. 

We boarded the bus and headed home.  I may have dozed off for a bit and woke up to find all the kids laughing at me.  But, by that point I didn't care, all kids were alive and accounted for.  None of the pleading mothers would be disappointed!  

Praise the Lord!!

The zoo was AWESOME!!!  I can't wait to volunteer for the next field trip!!