Scowden Family: Day 5, Thursday--The San Diego Zoo

Believe it or not, I was debating on whether or not to take Ellie to the famous San Diego Zoo. I know…I know but I was exhausted!!! I gave her a choice the zoo or a museum…she said multiple times “zoo” so I guess zoo it is. Thankfully the bellman at the hotel gave me a great tip about visiting the zoo. The zoo offers a guided tour on a double decker bus that allows you to see most of the zoo in about an hour. So off to the zoo we went and boarded the double decker. Let me tell you, if you ever have the chance to visit the San Diego Zoo this is the only way to go. We saw about 80% of the exhibits from the bus so there was no need to walk for miles up and down very steep hills to see the elephants, lions, tigers and more…oh my. (Sorry couldn’t resist). Anyway, Ellie’s favorite was the chimps and mine was the panda bear exhibit.

I have to share a short story about an incredible encounter we had with the chimps. We met this couple that was having a full on conversation with one of the chimps. Apparently, they visit the zoo several times a week just to visit this chimp. Weird, huh? Anyway, they had several items laid out in front of the glass wall and the chimp knew exactly what to do with them. They had a tube of chapstick, bottled water, lotion, and a brush. The chimp would point at an item and the couple would pick it up and use it. So if the chimp wanted the lady to put on some chapstick she would point at it and point at the lady. When the chimp was ready to see them brush their hair she would point at the brush. They literally sat there for about an hour playing this game with the chimp. I was fascinated by how much the chimps know and how people actually do this. Strange but interesting…I guess.