They weren't cows inside. They were waiting to be, but they forgot. Now they see sky, and they remember what they are.
That quote came immediately to mind while looking at the sunbears at the Honlulu Zoo. Those aren't bears, they are merely bear shaped things that have forgotten how.
I retraced my steps from yesterday, walking along Kalakaua Avenue to the zoo. 1.8 miles each way is much more manageable than 4.mumble, and sneakers are a much better choice than shoes.
Again, I'm astonished by the numbers that are shopping in Waikiki. Both in terms of the number of pedestrians who are carrying bags from international shops, and by the economics - you fly four hours to the middle of the Pacific to buy goods that were also flown four hours to the middle of the Pacific, so that you can carry them home with you? Does it really make sense to buy goodies manufactured in China when you are in Hawaii, as opposed to when you are in Japan?
On the other hand, the other tourists see me walking around the streets and say to each other "Why is that gaijin wasting the day walking around Waikiki? He hasn't even done any shopping!" They may be onto something - this is, after all, Waikiki, and there are other places in Hawaii to not shop.
The zoo no longer matches my memories, nor those of my dad. He particularly recalled a lift that would bring you up to eye level with the giraffen, and I have this memory of little periscopes so that five year olds might see over the fence and into the habitats, but neither was in evidence today.
Leonhard Euler taught us that you can't tour the zoo in a single path, and for no better reason than that I missed the lions and the komodo dragons. I also seemed to have passed a cheetah exhibit without noticing it.
Evidence suggests that the ostrich hen is in season, so when I do the transfers you may get to view some big bird porno. It's not the most efficient process, although ladies might rightly point out that the male doesn't seem to have a lot of stamina either.
The african aviary actually has a few cats in it, to keep the birds on their toes and produce a more natural experience for the viewer....
As I passed the chimpanzee pit, the tour guide going the other way was explaining that the chimpanzee dressing room is decked out like an "Austin Power's lounge." I'm disappointed - I figured a species smart enough to throw its own shit would have better taste in movies.
The Gharial were in a mellow mood - one was hanging out with jaws wide open over the water, a second was in the water with his snout on the shore, and the third was just lounging with his head completely submerged.
At six inches from a crocodile stare, you can hear Quint's monologue about a sharks lifeless eyes. This one allowed me a single picture through the glass before he sank below the surface.
January 11, 2010 9:45 PM
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