Parque Zoológical Nacional El Salvador

Well, so much for my "frequent and short" blog resolution...onward. (I knew there was a reason I have never liked "new year's resolutions! smile)

The most recent adventure was a close-by outing to the El Salvador Zoo on Saturday, March 5th in our home town of San Salvador. Zoos can be rather depressing when the conditions are not good for the animals, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. When I traveled to China over 20 years ago I went to a zoo there and it left a lot to be desired; I remember it being "sad". There were no need for zoos in Kenya - spectacular wildlife reserves and ranches provided an unbelievable once-in-a-lifetime experience; and I was fortunate to live outside an international destination, the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. My work also took me to villages whereby in riding my bike I would see zebra and giraffe and would need to be aware of elephants.

In San Salvador it is a classic old zoo with various monkeys (mostly from Central and South America), lions and other felines, alligators, snakes, lizards, hippos, water buffalo, coyote, llama, river otter, etc... Rich was anticipating and preparing to dodge the llama's spit - who did seem rather interested/attracted. It cost about $2.50 for all of us including the parking. It is a family destination for locals and although the zoo was nothing like the one back home, it was an enjoyable outing and a way to continue to get a feel for the local life and culture of El Salvador. The jewel of the zoo was a large water area with monkeys, large iguanas, and bird life on a few islands with large trees - and that was quite enjoyable. Also, beautiful bamboo areas. Apparently there used to be a large and beautiful aviary, but looks like it was closed. I am guessing the zoo may have seen better days than now.

We had fun. And along with the zoo itself, we were one of the attractions. I say "we" but it was more Rich (tall, male wearing shorts ~ most adults wear only pants/jeans and kids seem to more often wear pants/jeans than shorts) and Cole (plantinum blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin) than myself. Here - I can actually semi-pass for being Salvadoran, until you hear me speak. There were quite a few "que lindo"s going around for Cole who is not a big fan of this attention.