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Published: November 27th 2007
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It was a warm summer day in Chicago and we all hopped into the car to drive for less than an hour to Chicago. If you know me well enough, you'd know that I was giddy that day... what's not to like? I'm going to the
Lincoln Park Zoo to see adorable animals and I'm going in for free! Free!!!
With the zoo's map on hand, we carefully manuevered in and out of the halls which grouped the animals into many classifications I can hardly remember. Hehe! We first went inside the hall where the big cats were located. We saw lions, leopards, tigers, etc. We also went inside a big hall filled with primates. There were monkeys that were very small, and very cute! ... which reminded me that I yet have to go back home to
Bohol and see the world's smallest primates -- the Tarsier.
Mascara el naturele
I particularly enjoy seeing the camels. I was my first time to see real camels! I only see them on TV (and on Christmas decors depicting the birth of Christ in the manger). They were all sitting on the ground though. I wish I saw them standing, but when they bat their looong pretty lashes at
me... ahhh... that was good enough for me. Tee hee!
Rabbit ? Deer ? Donkey ?
There's this specific animal I am currently curious about. It's like a big rabbit or a small kangaroo or wallaby. It's brown and hoofed. Walks on all for legs. I want to kick myself for forgetting to take note of its name, I should have atleast typed and saved its name in my phone. Argh! There's a picture in here. If you know what it is, please please do let me know.
You're nothing but a hook-nosed sea pig!
My favorite part was seeing my "wet" friends! We climbed up a few steps up to the Kovler Sea Lion Pool. In a few minutes, we saw sea lions gliding underwater, twisting and turning effortlessly. One by one, they slide from one part of the pool to show off their big bellies then twist their flabby bodies as if they weigh like feathers. My roomate described them as cute but also
pangit (ugly, in Tagalog). Haha! I just learned from the zoo's website that the Gray Seal's scientific name actually means "hook-nosed sea pig"! Haha! Those scientists...
mean eh?! Anyhow... one huge gray seal sat on the rocks, basking in the sun, unmindful of the eyes staring at her. To me she's the cutest! To me she's the star of the pool... and she's simply taking her place in the "limelight".
Wet wet wet...
The seal pool had an underwater viewing deck. The penguins had that too. They were Emperor Penguins who made a lot of noise. I got reminded of the movie "March of the Penguins" which, I admit, is one of my favorites. And oh! There were a few Puffins with them! I like them for their big beaks and black and white "tuxedo" feathers. I only had one disappointment, though. The resident polar bear took the day off! There were lots of people waiting outside the polar bear viewing deck and saw nothing but water and his big footprints at the bottom of the pool. Oh well, it could have been too hot and humid for them anyway. So that's alright.
Navy Pier at Night
The Navy Pier is a short drive from the Lincoln Park Zoo so we decided to spend a few more hours
there. Since it was summer, the sun was still up at 8pm so we enjoyed watching the events at the Navy Pier. There was a choir singing jolly songs and Bris was fun to watch dancing to their tune. There were lots of people strolling at the Pier, eating, dancing, families simply hanging out and enjoying the breeze from Michigan Lake. Speaking of Lake Michigan, I sort of felt like it's Prom Night once again! Ladies were either in long black gowns or long shimmering garments; while the men were in sexy tuxedos. Ahh! They were getting ready for their Dinner Cruises that cost at least $70 per head. Hmmm... that should be nice to try someday. Hmmm.... just dreaming.... there's no harm in dreaming, right?
Ok... zapping myself back to reality... My roomate and I behaved like 9-year-olds when we stood in line for the
Wave Swinger! It was my first time to take such kind of old-fashioned carnival ride. Very American. Just like the movies!
We waited till it was 9pm to see fireworks. It was nice to see colorful sparks that made heart shapes in mid-air!
It was such a wonderful day -- one Interesting mammal
I yet have to recall what this mammal is called. I find it interesting because it's like a cross between a rabbit and a small deer. Maybe it's a marsupial. Argh! I wish I took note of its name! that reminded myself that there will always be a kid in each one of us.
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