Checking in again, just quickly. Went to Shanghai Zoo today. especially taken with the Chinese animals, such as the golden snub-nosed monkeys, giant salamander, mandarin ducks, Siberian tiger and Chinese alligators. (China has alligators.) And giant pandas, of course. And, there were plenty of azure-winged magpies flying around.
Dinner tonight with Biyi's relatives (again, and both Ryan and I are about ready for a quiet dinner with just the three of us). Most of it was not relaxing; but the highlight for me was after dinner. Her uncle and cousins got into a heated discussion. Biyi says they weren't arguing, but it sure looked like it to me. (I believe her, but it was indistinguishable.) It looked that way to Ryan too, who watched with growing apprehension as their voices got louder, until he'd had enough and loudly declared, "STOP! ...STOP!" And they did!
I told him afterwards that I was very proud of him.
ah ... the Power of the Cute!
In the summer, the National Zoo lets the Golden Lion Tamarins loose - they run through the trees and they use various techniques to teach them to survive in the wild; I think they're trying to repopulate them in their original habitat (Brazil?). They have radio collars, so they're not likely to get loose outside the zoo, but it's always fun to see them outside a cage.
So what are the enclosures at the Shanghai Zoo like? I imagine that Chinese zoos are very different than when I went to visit them in 1989. Plus I didn't go to Shanghai, more's the pity. But I recall they had a Persian cat. And I remember the tiger. hmm, I sense a feline theme to my memories...
So my parents want me to go on this Leuva Patidar Samaj Youth Cruise to the Bahamas over Memorial Day with, like, sixty people (ages 21-35). I'm kind of torn. On the one hand, hanging out with lots of Indian people will maybe make me feel more Indian, and maybe I will find a suitable wife and/or friend. On the other hand, I can barely deal with parties full of strangers. Yet I am kind of curious to see how I handle it and it would be a new experience, possibly miserable though it may be? I don't know.
Toddson: that rocks!
They totally weren't doing that last time I was there - - which was in the 1970s.
(My family moved away from the area in 1979.)
On the one hand--oodles of strangers.
On the other hand--the Bahamas.
Hmmmm.
P-C - how many days would this cruise take? any land excursions, or would you have to stay on the boat the entire time? would you be able to have a room of your own, or share with a stranger? And, most importantly - would you be able to go off in a corner and read if you wanted or would togetherness be enforced?
I can never decide if I would love a cruise or not. I love the idea of being in a corner and watching the sea, but I'm also in the camp of "I will strangle you, Cruise Director Minion, if you suggest another insipid mingling opportunity."
Enforced togetherness can be hell.
And they recenly were broadcasting the Addams family movies ... I'm reminded of when Wednesday and Pugsley were sent off to camp. I suppose setting the boat on fire if they tried to force you into some sort of group activity would be a bit much. Not to mention fatal.
P-C - how many days would this cruise take?
It's just for the weekend, very short. Miami to the Bahamas. I figure the boat goes to the Bahamas on Friday, we Bahama it up over the weekend, and then we boat back on Monday. But the flyer has absolutely zero details because whatever, we're Indian, we don't know how to make websites (spoiler warning: there is no "more info" anywhere).
would you be able to have a room of your own, or share with a stranger?
It looks like everyone has roomies.
And, most importantly - would you be able to go off in a corner and read if you wanted or would togetherness be enforced?
I...I hope so?
I can never decide if I would love a cruise or not.
I've actually enjoyed the cruises I've gone on with my family. But I had my brother to hang out with.
