Simon and Garfunkel's At the Zoo kept replaying in my mind as we ventured out the Praha Zoo this morning. Our group grabbed a quick bite at Bohemia Bagel before taking the 17 tram to the 112 bus to reach our final destination, hoping to explore the zoo before the midday Prague heat descended upon the city.
Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it, I do believe it's true.
The lovely thing about arriving at the zoo fairly early was that the animals were similarly taking advantage of the cooler morning air and therefore more mobile about their captivities and enclosures. The penguins eagerly sprang in and out of the water, and then we slowed as we approached a group of visitors crouching on the ground.
The monkeys stand for honesty.
Giraffes are insincere.
The elephants are kindly but they're dumb.
A group of mothers and children were hovered about a small monkey sitting with his feet and hands wrapped around the bars of the gate. Visitors hesitantly reached out to pet the monkey, who merely responded with kind, curious eyes. Being a group of documentary photographers, this was golden. We stayed in this spot, with our new monkey friend for a good 15 minutes or so.
Zebras are reactionaries,
Anthelopes are missionaries.
Pidgeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently.
As we progressed through the park, we eventually took a midday break with ice cream and cool water in order to combat the coming heat. After a short respite, we stared at elephants and giraffes for a good hour, which, for some in our group, appear to serve as "spirit animals." Then we trudged along as the sun rose higher in the sky. So much for weather apps that promised cooler temperatures. Similar to our own spirits declining, the animals began to retreat themselves--whether to stables or man made caves or physical states of solitude...like sleep.
It's all happening at the zoo, in the morning, when the temperatures are cool and the animals are still curious to greet new faces.
