Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Zoo

We left it up to Owen to choose what we would do yesterday, and he asked for a zoo, which we were lucky enough to find only an hour's drive from us in Pistoia (as in birthplace of the pistol).



Not that there were any at this particular zoo, but this is Owen's impression of a walrus.


I was amazed by the accessibility of the animals and how comfortable they were around people. I know this isn't necessarily the safest or healthiest arrangement for the animals and humans involved, but it's not like we were feeding the giraffes Little Debbies or walking down the sidewalks with Bengal tigers. (But there was a snake skin on the floor in the reptile house!) Clearly things aren't as litigious in Italy as they are in the U.S. It's refreshing to have an experience where I don't feel micromanaged but rather trusted to use my own common sense.


Owen would like to add that he shares my overwrought insights and that he wishes the penguins would have gotten off their nest and gone swimming while we were there.

6 comments:

Aunt Pam said...

Cool picture! I know ya'll had alot of fun!

Jennifer said...

Awwww! Not much longer in Italy. Are you guys getting sad? Any last minute plans?? I'm sad your vacation is ending...but it will be nice to call you on my way to work again! xoxoxoxoxo

Grandma DD said...

Wow!! Up close and personal. I love it. I love the picture of you and the giraffe really up close. Did he slobber all over you? Can't wait to talk to you on the phone. I miss you and love you very much.

Shelley & Scott said...

Yep, back in the states very soon! The giraffe's tongue was black and pointy. And he (she?) did slobber all over me!

Coach said...

I bet it did feel a bit odd people were allowed to wander around among the animals. Ms. Duggan, my counselor who is from Spain constantly tells me how different things are in the United States compared to Europe. She says things may be more liberal because the consequences for breaking the law or doing damage to another person's property or to an animal are much swifter and more severe than in the US. She believes that is why people in Europe may have use their common sense more than in the US. They do not want to have to suffer the consequences for making poor decisions. On the other hand, she is very liberal in her beliefs on how to handle any discipline problems we have at the kindergarten.

Coach said...

I had some grammatical errors in my previous comment. That is why I stated earlier you would have to do my writing for me if I ever attempted to write a book.