Eight Years At The Zoo

            On September 29, 2007, eight years ago today, I had my very first shift as a member of “zoo team”, the teen volunteer program of the San Antonio Zoo. If someone had come to my fourteen-year-old self on that day and told me all the experiences I would have through that zoo in the years to come, I never would’ve believed them. Now, though, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve met my best friends through that zoo, had countless up close experiences with all kinds of wildlife, and learned things that I never could’ve learned in a classroom or from a textbook. I’ve had so many unforgettable experiences that never would’ve been possible if I hadn’t gotten involved with the zoo. I’ll certainly never forget the first time I watched the emergence of twenty million bats from Bracken Bat Cave when I went there with the zoo to help out. Nor will I forget my first up close encounter with our Komodo dragon, okapi, hippo, rhino, and so many more. The feeling I got when I was invited to go through the docent training when I was only 16 was amazing, as was visiting Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island with other zoo volunteers. I’ll always cherish the memory of feeding my first animal at the zoo, a tawny frogmouth in the Hixon bird house, and the day I got to see the newly hatched Komodo dragon babies was one of the best of my life.

            Listing just a few of my favorite zoo memories, you can probably tell why I’ve stuck around for as long as I have. The past eight years at the zoo have been incredibly special, and I wouldn’t change anything at all about them. If I’d never submitted my zoo team application eight years ago, I certainly wouldn’t be the person I am today. I probably wouldn’t have gone on my Africa trip this past summer, wouldn’t know half as much about wildlife as I do, and wouldn’t have met some of the most important people in my life. San Antonio Zoo, you’re my happy place, and no matter where my future endeavors take me, I’ll always call you home. Thanks for eight years of crazy adventures- I can’t wait to see what the next eight years bring! This post’s food for thought: “Whatever you want to do in this world, it is achievable. The most important thing that I’ve found, that perhaps you could use, is be passionate and enthusiastic in the direction that you choose in life, and you’ll be a winner.”- Steve Irwin 

Hold On, We're Going Home

            My blog has been pretty dormant since I returned to the states, so today, since I have some free time, I figured I’d make a new post. As of today, September 22, I’ve been home from South Africa for exactly two months. Hardly an hour goes by that I don’t think about my nine weeks in that beautiful country; not a day has gone by that I don’t pine to return to the little, loving baboons of CARE, or the strong waters of the Atlantic Ocean around Gansbaai. Everyday I miss waking up before sunrise to pack up the boat for a day out at sea with the great white sharks. Everyday I miss the wild troop of baboons playing on the tin roof of the Mountain Lodge that served as my alarm clock. Not a day goes by that I don’t yearn to be back in South Africa. I already know that I’ll be back there next summer, and it can’t come fast enough. South Africa is the most beautiful, diverse, colorful, wonderful place I’ve ever been, and it’s a place I’d recommend to just about anyone. From my first time in the cage with the sharks to hanging out in the gorgeous city of Cape Town to meeting little Yolo and Darcy down by the river at CARE, I had so many unforgettable experiences in the nine weeks that I was lucky enough to have there.

            Coming back home to Texas, I definitely didn’t feel like that same person that I’d been before I left. Travelling internationally, especially alone like I was, is definitely an incredible learning experience. This summer I got to see how the people of South Africa live, and while there are some similarities, there’s quite a bit that’s different. From the food to the language to just the way people interact, spending time in South Africa helped me learn that not everyone does things the way we do here at home. Travelling to other countries can teach some life lessons that just can’t be learned any other way.

            Though I’ve fallen back into the “normal” mode of being home, I feel like something about me is different than before I left. For one, I’ve definitely become more independent and feel more comfortable being on my own. I mean, if I successfully maneuvered my way through a country I’d never been to, 9,000 miles from home, completely on my own, without having any trouble, I feel pretty good doing stuff around here solo. Maybe the experience of being my own boss made me mature more over the summer- I definitely feel a lot more comfortable getting around airports now! People warned me about going alone, but, knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Being on my own was part of what made it so much fun.

            I know for sure that I’m going back next summer, hopefully for a little bit longer- eleven weeks is the longest that I can be in the country with just my passport (I’d need to get a visa to stay longer), so I think that’s going to be my goal. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to go back to both of the same projects, or just focus on one. One thing I do know is I’m definitely returning to White Shark Projects- that may have been the best month of my life, and I can’t wait to be out on the boat with those beautiful sharks again! See you next summer, South Africa. This post’s food for thought: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”- Terry Pratchett