Zoos and Fireworks

So, I'm crazy about animals. Anyone who has met me can attest to it. Usually, within the first few minutes of meeting people, I'm on a role about dogs. You know me and dogs. I know it's lame, but I swear they are my favorite animal- of all time. But, I really love animals. So, when a dorm mate told me the zoo here is about six dollars, how could I not coerce the girls into going? One of the French boys wanted to go, but he sprained his ankle. So, we're saving the trip to another Tokyo zoo (the one with the baby red pandas) for when he feels better.

We got to the zoo at about 12:30, because of the late night we had the night before. And because the only place to withdraw money is at 7-Eleven ATMs, which took us forever to find. And, because we wanted to eat lunch before we entered the park. But, oh my gosh- I was so excited.

 

Zoological Gardens, pretty sure that's fancier than what we call zoos in the USA. But, the tickets are so inexpensive that you purchase them out of a vending machine- so cool! So, the first thing that hit us when we went into the zoo was the smell, of course. It was that special zoo smell, and I knew we were in the right place. This zoo was so big (by Japanese standards) that there was actually two parts to the zoo, connected by a bridge. We found this out as we were searching around for the 7-Eleven. So, the entrance we came in through was right next to the reptile house. Which had these really cool statues out front. I was able to wrestle them away from the kids climbing all over them long enough to snap a few pictures.

Then we went in, and of course being the foreigners that we are we went in the wrong way- oops! Oh well. But, they had some really cool lizards and things. Though, if I'm being honest lizards and snakes really freak me out- they seem to always stare at me!

 

Anyway, after looking at the scaly creatures, we decided we wanted to see some cuddly ones! Well, at least ones that LOOKED cuddly. And, the girls I went with with were big fans of red pandas. When I told them I had never seen one before, we took off for the exhibit. Can I just say, I have been converted to a red panda fan? They are super cute! How can you not like this face?

Then we saw more animals, I don't remember the order very well- but they were all fun to look at.

 

By about four thirty, it was time to leave. One of the girls with us was meeting up with friends to see fire works. She invited me along, how could I say no to that?! I think it was the longest fire work show I have ever seen, it lasted for more than an hour! It's extremely hard to take good fire work pictures, so I'm sorry for the quality of some of the shots.

 

Anyway, fun ending to a fun day! Now I have to get to school!