A weird sort of misty day that took us to the zoo on both the U-Bahn, (underground) and S-Bahn, (overground). The Berlin Zoo is one of the world's largest and most important zoos, full of endangered species. Landscaped like a park, it is unexpectedly surreal to see vivid orange flamingos, armoured rhinoceros, zebras and even giant pandas out in the frosty air. The animals and birds look quite at home outside. Inside in heated cages, many seem in hibernation, except the unceasingly active monkeys. Rationally I respect and admire the valuable research, education and instilling of awe especially, that zoos do, and know that the animals here would never survive if released in the wild, yet it strikes me that the wondrous giraffes and leopards have too little to do in the inside cages except pace, aware of the peering crowd. Do you think they are even a particle as interested in seeing us as we are of sensuous, sinewy them? It seemed more upbeat for the frogs, lizards, snakes and sharks. Maybe it's because I don't empathise with the cold-blooded creatures.
