did you hear the one about the painted donkey?

Only in Jerusalem could you find a biblical zoo, complete with a play-size Noah's ark. But I can't say that I am that shocked, after all, Jerusalem is a city that prides it self on their Jewish connection. Though, I can say I was shocked walking around this zoo. I took over 500 images that day, mostly of Yoavi, but a lot of the animals and what the zoo had to offer.

After I dreadfully went through each picture, I picked around 100 that I would like to showcase. Maybe you'll find it as strange as I did, or maybe it wont shock you at all, but the picture above, of a hamster, was an actual image I shot in the zoo. Yes, that is right, not only does the Jerusalem biblical zoo showcase hamsters, but also, squirrels and other rodents (and no, these aren't pictures of the animals running freely, they are behind glass!).

In a total of three hours I was surrounded by more english speaking than I would have imagined, more unusual "zoo" animals, and most shockingly, not one shopping cart. In America, especially the Miami zoo, it is not a place to showcase animals, but a place to make money. Everywhere you turn there is another cart selling ice-cream, waters, and junky souvenirs. And on a crowded day, there is always a line of screaming children trying to beg their parents.

That was not the case in this zoo, as I started getting thirsty along my journey, I realized that there was not one place to buy a drink. About half way through, I finally saw my first (and the only) cart that is placed through-out the zoo. And it was closed. I saw no children sheding tears, and only one begging her parents to buy a stupid little toy, and even that wasn't until the end in the tiny-little gift shop.

Back to my original "simple thought" of the Israelis, the zoo is, shockingly, actually a place for people to view animals.

After three long hours, we finally made it to the end. But, this wasn't before, no lie, Yoavi fell asleep mid-walk. I have never seen anything like this before, but it was true. He was fast asleep (and stayed asleep through-out the elephants, the deers, and the flamingos), and did not wake up till we stepped on the train at the end.

One thing the zoo did have was a beautiful bridge that walked through their very own "safari." The giraffes, hippos and zebras were absolutely breathtaking. I hope you enjoy looking at my pictures, as much as I did taking them!

Before I end my ramblings, I must tell you about the zoo in Gaza, which for reasons, I will not be able to go to. But I did find out about why it is such a zoo to visit. They could not afford a zebra, so why would I want to go their? Please, my words cannot explain the phenominam of this story, take the time and read/glance over this article. It will certainly give you some laughs.